DEFINITIONS AND TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS. 367 



!N"on-sugar. Any feeding substance containing sugar has combined 

 with it other constituents which are, in general, termed non-sugar. 



Nutritive ratio. This expression is very practical. In its proper 

 sense it is intended to convey the ratio between digestible protein in any feed- 

 ing stuff and the amount of digestible carbohydrates and ether extract. This 

 ether extract is multiplied by 2.4. (In the United States there is great need 

 of some uniformity in the use of this factor, as in some cases it is 2.2 to 2.25 

 and in others as high as 2.5; the latter is an excess and the former too small. ) 

 If we consider red clover hay, for example, there will be, for one hundred 

 pounds of this fodder, 6.8 Ibs. protein digestible, 35.8 Ibs. carbohydrates and 

 J.7 Ib. of ether extract. The ratio is calculated as follows: 



1.7 X 2.4 = 4.08. The total carbohydrates then are: 35.8 -f- 4.C8 = 39.88. 



qq QC 



Nutritive ratio = 5.8 or 1:5.8. 

 6.8 



Oil meal. In most countries of Continental Europe the various after- 

 products from oil mills are known as oil cakes. In the United States the pro- 

 duct is ground to a meal, hence the name oil meal. It offers great help for 

 feeding in general; but the quantity used should be restricted. 



Oil process linseed meal. The "oil cake," as it was once called, 

 has now practically become almost obsolete. The cakes containing 15 per 

 cent, oil were of comparatively small dimension and easy to handle. In con- 

 sequence of the increased pressure to which the residuum was submitted, the 

 oil percentage diminished, and now the name has been changed to "old oil- 

 seed process." The original oil cake in many countries continues to hold its 

 own. In the United States it renders considerable service in compounding 

 rations for horses. Not more than two pounds per diem should be fed. It 

 offers in special cases an advantage as a laxative. The old process product 

 contains a protein percentage that may vary from 26 to 38.5 per cent., and an 

 average of only 8 per cent. fat. 



Omasom. This is the third stomach of ruminants. 



Organic matter. When feeds are burned the organic matter dis- 

 appears. 



Osmotic action. That which pertains to osmosis. 



Osmose. "NVhen crystalline substances are in solution, and are placed in 

 porous receptacles, they pass through, leaving the particles that are non- 

 crystallizable, or colloids. 



Oxalic acid. This acid is found in the juice of numerous plants as 

 potassium or calcic salt; it is mainly the outcome of the oxidation of various 

 substances. It may be prepared by the simple action of nitric acid upon sugar. 



Paunch.. The largest division of the stomach of ruminants is called the 

 paunch or first stomach. 



