244 THE PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURE 



watery food will need to drink less water ; but 

 no food contains so much water that it can be 

 used by the annual to supply its needs for 

 both water and solid matters. 



439. In general, water adds tenderness, suc- 

 culence and palatability to fodders. Green fresh 

 fodders are more palatable than the same fodders 

 dried ; and the palatability of hay or other dry 

 fodder may be increased by soaking in water, or 

 by steaming. 



3c. Ash 



4-40. Ash is the small residue which is left 

 when any animal or vegetable matter is com- 

 pletely burned. It is mineral matter obtained by 

 the plant from the soil (147, 192), and is com- 

 posed of very nearly the same substances in both 

 plants and animals. Some ash is found in all 

 parts of all plants and all animals, and it is 

 necessary to those parts. Life can not be main- 

 tained or the vital processes carried on without 

 this ash. 



441. In general, the proportion of ash is 

 small, but the bones of animals and certain 

 parts of the plant, as the bark, contain con- 

 siderable amounts. With scarce an exception, 

 the amount of ash present in ordinary fodders 

 is sufficient for the needs of the animal, and, 

 therefore, it need not be taken into account in 



