226 The Feeding of Animals 



germination. This deposit of plant compounds repre- 

 sents the highest type of vegetable food, whether we 

 consider concentration, palatableness or nutritive effi- 

 ciency. Besides, it is in such form that with ordinary 

 precautions it is capable of indefinite preservation, 

 without loss. 



It often occurs that when newly -harvested grain 

 is stored in bulk it heats and grows "musty." This 

 condition is due to fermentations that are made pos- 

 sible by the high water content of the fresh grain and 

 which involve a loss of dry substance. It is very de- 

 sirable that grain shall be thoroughly dried before 

 threshing, and it is generally necessary to secure 

 additional drying after threshing before storing it in 

 large bins. 



The agricultural value of the cereal grains is much 

 enhanced by their adaptability to a great range of 

 soil and climatic conditions. They are the American 

 farmer's great reliance for the production of the high- 

 est class of cattle foods. Maize, especially, is grown 

 from Maine to Florida and from the Atlantic to the 

 Pacific. These crops are useful, not only for their 

 seeds but as fodder plants. For soiling purposes, as 

 well as a source of dried forage, they are indispen- 

 sable. 



