THE FEEDING OF THE ANIMAL 243 



3. Composition of Fodders 

 3a. Classification 



436. Fodders are made up of a large number 

 of substances, all of which are of more or less 

 use to the animal, and each of which, to some 

 extent, serves a definite purpose when used as 

 food. While the number of separate compounds 

 in fodders is very large, they fall into a few very 

 distinct groups or classes, depending upon their 

 composition and the purposes which they serve 

 the animals. These classes are (a) water, 

 (b) ash, (r) protein, (d) carbohydrates, including 

 fiber, (e)t'at. 



3b. Water 



437. "Water is present in all fodders without 

 exception, but the proportion is very variable. 

 Some roots 'and green fresh fodders occasionally 

 have as much as 90 per cent of water, whereas, 

 in some O the kiln-dried by-products the per- 

 centage of water may fall as low as 5 or 6 per 

 cent. Ordinary air- dried fodder, as the grains ? 

 hay, straw, usually contains from 10 to 15 per 

 cent of water. 



438. The water in the fodder to a certain 

 extent supplies the needs of the animal instead of 

 water which is drunk. Animals consuming a 



