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CHAPTER XII. 

 AI PLICATION OF THE CROPS IN FEEDING. 



Connection between the composition of vegetables and that of 

 animals : in their organic part ; in their nitrogenous substances. 

 Differences between animal and vegetable food. Starch; its 

 uses in respiration. Other substances which serve the same 

 purpose. Sugar. Fat. Applications of this knowledge in 

 feeding the young animal, and the full grown animal. More 

 food required in cold climates. Food required by the fattening 

 animal. Benefit of cutting food; of cornstalks,. hay, etc. 



SECTION I. OF THE CONNECTION IN COMPOSITION BETWEEN 

 THE PLANT AND THE ANIMAL. 



We have hitherto said little as to the direct con- 

 nection between the composition of the food, and that 

 of the animal itself. That there is such a connection, 

 must by this time have become clear to every attentive 

 reader. It is, however, even more direct; and the 

 conclusions to be drawn from this directness are more 

 practical than could have been supposed before any 

 chemical investigations were made. Something has 

 been mentioned in a preceding chapter, as to the simi- 

 larity between the inorganic substances in the plant 

 and those in the animal : it was explained that they 

 only differ in the fact, that the ash from animal sub- 

 stances contains at most but a mere trace of silica, 

 a substance which will be remembered as forming 

 so important a part of the ash from plants. 



In the organic part of animals, we find in many 

 points a not less striking coincidence with the organic 

 fart of plants. It is to be recollected, that in speak- 

 ing of the nutritive properties of plants, much im- 



