166 SCIENTIFIC FEEDING OF ANIMALS 



conversion into brown or sour hay, is not sufficient 

 to render it harmless. Lupine fodder serves princi- 

 pally for feeding sheep, which take it readily, whilst 

 horses and cattle, to which in any case only small 

 quantities should be given, do not accustom them- 

 selves to it very quickly. Where large quantities 

 of lupines are fed the quality of the milk is very apt 

 to suffer. 



White mustard after flowering quickly becomes 

 woody, and must on that account not be left later 

 than the flowering period before being fed. Another 

 reason for feeding the plants at that time is that the 

 seeds when eaten form mustard oil in the stomach, 

 which is injurious. In order that this crop may be 

 fed at the right stage of growth it is best to sow 

 portions at different times. It is principally fed in 

 moderate quantities to dairy stock, sheep, and 

 young cattle. 



Buckwheat, which is generally cut at the height 

 of the flowering period, should be fed preferably to 

 cattle. In some years the use of it tends to cause 

 sickness, particularly in sheep and pigs. 



6. The leaves and tops of the sugar beet and the 

 mangel wurzel give a very watery food, the dry 

 matter of which, however, is rich in protein, low in 

 crude fibre, and contains a large percentage of 

 soluble mineral substances, amongst which oxalic 

 acid (3-4% of the dry matter) is found. This acid 

 may be consumed in small quantities without any 



