366 FEEDING ANIMALS. 



been tested in the milk of the cow. The chemical compo- 

 sition of the milk has been largely changed in its propor- 

 tions by a little worry and excitement, such as rapid driv- 

 ing, or being worried by a dog. There is no objection to 

 light work for the dam after the foal is two weeks old ; but 

 this should be such work as she can do without worry or 

 too much fatigue. The foal should early be accustomed to 

 being left in a loose box or stable. That the dam may be 

 able to furnish a generous supply of milk to the foal, she 

 must have a liberal supply of food herself. It must be re- 

 membered, that the dam requires food for the support of 

 two lives, and that, if she is required to do light labor in 

 addition, she must have a ration in proportion. We have 

 seen, from the composition of the mare's milk (page 138), 

 that it is rich in albuminoids, and, therefore, her food must 

 be rich in albuminous elements. Pasture grasses, when a 

 few inches high, contain a much larger percentage of albu- 

 minoids than when in the mature state. This accounts for 

 the large yield of milk by cows, and the rapid laying-on of 

 flesh by steers, when feeding upon such vigorously-growing 

 young grass. Clover, before blossom, is also a most excel- 

 lent food for the dam and for the colt. But the dam 

 should also have a small grain ration, even upon good pas- 

 ture, when she is required to perform labor. Good wheat 

 bran is a very appropriate extra ration for the dam, because 

 it contains from 12 to 16 per cent, of albuminous food ; 

 but oats are equally rich in nitrogen, and are always proper 

 food for the brood mare. If the dam is being fed upon 

 hay, then she should have a daily bran mash, with one 

 pint of oil-meal added such sloppy food will increase the 

 secretion of milk when upon dry fodder. The new process 

 linseed-meal will be found profitable food for the dam in 

 small quantity, say one to two pounds per day. It is more 

 important if the dam is on dry food. The dam, during 

 this period, should be treated with great kindness and gen- 



