CEREALS 45 



bushel. The standard weight calls for 32 pounds, but this 

 may vary from 20 pounds in the South, where a great deal 

 of hull appears, to 40 pounds in the states of the North- 

 west, where a more plump kernel with less hull is pro- 

 duced. Per hundred pounds of weight, this grain is higher 

 in protein and mineral matter than corn, but is lower in 

 digestible carbohydrates due to a higher percentage of 

 crude fiber and a sortlewhat lower percentage of starch. 

 It is higher in fat than wheat. 



Oats is one of the safest of feeds. Due to the high 

 amount of crude fiber it carries, it is not a heavy feed ; 

 and its well-proportioned amounts of the various nutrients 

 make it approach more nearly to the requirements of a 

 properly balanced ration, for all classes of animals, than 

 any other single feeding stuff. It is the best feed for the 

 road horse. For growing young horses, calves, and sheep 

 it is almost indispensable, forming either all or part of the 

 grain rations for these animals. It may also form about 

 20 per cent or more of the grain ration for the dairy cow, 

 and some of the slop ration for the brood sow. The high 

 amount of crude fiber makes this grain poorly adapted for 

 fattening swine. It is well to have oats in the ration of 

 the young lamb, and the breeding ewe. Oats makes a 

 good feed for all classes of male animals. 



Barley. — This cereal grain is one of the most widely 

 grown crops that the world produces, and forms one of the 

 principal sources of human food. For this purpose, large 

 quantities are used in the manufacture of pearl barley. 

 As a feeding stuff, it is good for all classes of farm animals. 



In the western part of the United States, barley is the 

 principal horse feed, and in parts of the country near the 

 corn belt, it is growing in popularity as a substitute for oats. 



