122 ANIMALS AND THEIR TRODUCTS. 



fermented state is best. For human beings it is cer- 

 tainly better in any of those namerous forms, in which 

 it is found on our tables, than when wrought into alco- 

 hol I say this, however, in view of the higher end 

 of man. If one of our race were to be fattened for a 

 cannibal market, it is possible that even he might be 

 made to assume a more imposing magnitude, and to 

 become perhaps more tempting to savage eyes, by first 

 fermenting and then distilling his corn-meal. 



218. I have before spoken of oats, as the most con- 

 genial, and probably in the long run the most profit- 

 able grain for horses. Professor Johnstone gives their 

 composition as follows : — water, 16 per cent. ; starch, 

 38; gum and sugar, 7; nitrogenous substances, 16; 

 oil, 6 ; woody fibre, 15 ; ash, 2. It will be observed 

 that oats contain much oil, and a large amount of the 

 nitrogenous, or muscle-forming matter. From this we 

 might infer that they are good for fattening animals, 

 and also for all kinds of working animals. Such I be- 

 lieve to be the facts in the case, as decided by expe- 

 rience. Indeed, oats are good for any kind of animal 

 on the farm ; and when they bear a price not exceed- 

 ing half the price of corn, I believe it is for the far- 

 mer's interest to prepare all his provender in part from 

 this grain. The straw of oats, if cut 5 or 6 days be- 

 fore the grain is fully ripe, is an excellent fodder, fully 

 equal to third-rate hay, and better than the poorest 

 hay. If cut in a straw-cutter, and moistened, with the 

 addition of a little corn-meal, it is an excellent food 

 for any animals in the barn, with the exception per- 

 haps of fattening cattle and milch cows, and of sheep. 



