248 



PRINCIPLES OF FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



proportion of the concentrates should consist of nitrogenous 

 feed, such as bran, gluten feed, linseed meal, cottonseed meal, 

 etc. Only a small amount of com should be used in such a 



ration. Even then the best 

 results will not be obtained. 

 For horses, however, timo- 

 thy hay is the standard 

 roughage. It is practically 

 the only roughage used for 

 horses in the city. It is 

 also extensively used on the 

 farm. The reasons for its 

 preeminence as a roughage 

 for horses are as follows : 



(1) it is free from dust; 



(2) there is little loss in 

 handling it; (3) it is very 

 palatable when cut at the 

 proper stage ; (4) it does 

 not produce too much lax- 

 ness of the bowels ; and (5) 

 it gives the necessary bulk 

 and volume to the ration. 

 Timothy hay which con- 

 tains some clover is better 



for foals, young horses, and brood mares on account of the 

 higher protein content. 



The Millets. — The principal millets used for hay in the 

 United States are foxtail millet, including the varieties 

 common, German, Hungarian, etc. ; broom-corn or hog mil- 

 let; and Japanese barnyard millet. Common, German, 



Fig. G2. — ■ Timothy. (Piper, Forage 

 Plants.) 



