FOOD AND FEEDING 485 



top, may be taken as a standard of comparison for dry fodder. In 100 

 lbs. of timothy hay there are approximately digestible: 



Protein 3.65 lbs. 



Fat , 78 lbs. 



Carbohydrates 45.8 lbs. 



Clover hay has double the amount, and rowen or aftermath about 

 one-third more protein than is contained in ordinary meadow hay. 

 Alfalfa represents clover hay. The latter should be bright and free from 

 dust to avoid heaves in horses, or it should be moistened. Alfalfa should 

 not be fed to the extent of more than two-thirds of the roughage for 

 horses ; it should be chopped and timothy hay makes the best combination 

 with it. Corn with equal weight of alfalfa makes a good balanced ration 

 for horses. Oats may be selected as a standard of comparison for grains. 

 100 lbs. of oats contain of digestible nutrients as follows: 



Protein 836 lbs. 



Pat 4.5 lbs. 



Carbohydrates 45.0 lbs. 



Corn yields slightly less protein and considerably more carbohydrates 

 and fat, while cottonseed meal contains nearly three times as much pro- 

 tein, and four times as much fat as are found in oats. If corn is fed 

 horses it should be combined with chopped alfalfa or a small quantitj' of 

 cotton seed oil meal, not more than a lb. daily to 1000 lbs. of live weight, 

 to add protein. The change to corn from oats should be gradual to avoid 

 colic. Bran (or shorts) has approximately the same chemical composition 

 as oats. The straw of wheat, barley, rye, oats, and corn has a somewhat 

 similar value. In 100 lbs. of wheat straw there are digestible: 



Protein 0.37 lbs. 



Fat 0.3 lbs. 



Carbohydrates 36.00 lbs. 



In order to compare the composition of food with that of the tissues 

 into which it is converted, we submit the following : 



PERCENTAGE COMPOSITION OP LIVE ANIMAL. 



IX 100 I.BS. OF WELL FED LIVE OX THERE ARE: 



Protein 15.8 lbs. 



Fat 7.1 lbs. 



Ash 4.8 lbs. 



Water 54.3 lbs. 



Contents of digestive tract 18.0 lbs. 



Certain of the fodders are especially adapted or otherwise for the 

 various domestic animals. Green clover is prone to fermentation and the 

 formation of flatulency if given in large quantities to any animal. A 

 sudden change from dry to luxuriant green food is always undesirable 

 for a similar reason. Green grass cut short by a lawn mower should not 

 be given horses, as it is swallowed in an unmasticated condition and leads 

 to indigestion and colic. Corn chop is a frequent cause of colic and alfalfa 

 of impaction of the colon in horses. Pasturing on the tops of sugar beets, 

 after the beets have been removed is responsible for colic in horses and 



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