GRAINS AND SEEDS 



175 



always be ground except for sheep. It is very doubtful 

 if it is profitable to use rye very extensively, if at all, for 

 growing animals except in case of hogs. 



For Fattening Stock. — Owing to its lack of palatability, 

 rye is not especially valuable as a feed for fattening cattle 

 and sheep. Although but little used for 

 hog feeding in this country, it is used quite 

 extensively in Denmark. For hogs, rye is 

 about equal to barley in feeding value and 

 about 10 per cent less valuable than corn. 

 It should be ground and fed as a thin slop. 

 In prolonged feeding, it should be fed with 

 corn or barley, and more nitrogenous con- 

 centrates. Otherwise hogs soon tire of it. 



For Breeding Stock. — Rye should not be 

 used to any marked extent in the rations 

 of breeding stock. When it is used, care 

 should be taken that it is not infected with 

 the fungus, ergot, which may cause abortion. 



For Milk Cows. — Rye meal is shghtly 

 less valuable than corn for milk cows. It 

 may be fed in limited amounts with other 

 concentrates. If more than three pounds 

 are fed daily, the quality of the milk and butter may be 

 affected, as too much rye gives them a bitter flavor. Rye 

 which is infected with ergot should not be used. 



For Work Horses. — Rye may be fed to work horses, pro- 

 vided it is ground and mixed ^vith other concentrates. It 

 should not form more than one-third of the concentrates. 

 Care should be taken that it is not infected with ergot, 

 especially in the case of brood mares. 



Fig. 32. — Ergot 

 in a head of rye. 

 (Duggar, South- 

 ern Field Crops.) 



