GRAINS AND SEEDS 171 



Viewed from the standpoint of general adaptation for 

 feeding live stock, no cereal compares with oats, as they can 

 be fed with safety to practically all classes of animals. 



The average chemical composition of oats is as follows: 

 water, 10.0 per cent; ash, 3.0 per cent; crude protein, 

 11.8 per cent; crude fiber, 9.5 per cent; nitrogen-free ex- 

 tract, 59.7 per cent ; and fat, 5.0 per cent. Their net energy 

 value is 66.3 therms per 100 pounds. Oats contain about 

 twice as much ash, and a httle more crude protein than corn. 

 Furthermore, the mixed proteins of oats are more satisfactory 

 for maintenance and growth. Oats contain considerably 

 less energy than corn. Their high content of crude fiber, due 

 largely to the loose, hght husk which incloses the kernel, 

 gives them such volume that an animal rarely suffers from 

 eating too much of them, although they may cause choking 

 if eaten too rapidly. Oats are fed both whole and ground 

 or rolled. They are usually ground for very young animals, 

 for dairy cows, for horses at very hard work, and for horses 

 with poor teeth. 



Low grade, discolored oats are often bleached by treatment 

 with sulphurous acid fumes in order to raise the market grade. 

 Horsemen claim that bleached oats are sometimes injurious. 



For Growing Stock. — The chemical composition and energy 

 value of oats indicate that they are a growing, rather than a 

 fattening feed. In addition, the physical structure of oats 

 makes them a particularly safe feed on account of the sHght 

 danger of causing digestive disturbances by their use. 

 Their cost is practically the only factor which may Umit 

 their use. 



For calves and young cattle, oats may be ground and fed 

 either as the sole concentrate, or in combination with ground 



