196 DESCRIPTION OF FEEDING STUFFS 
Old-process meal is generally preferred by feeders on account of 
its forming a jelly with warm water, and because of its favorable 
influence on the health and appearance of farm animals. Owing 
to its relatively high oil content (6 to 8 per cent), it is somewhat 
more laxative than new-process meal, which contains only about 
3 per cent fat, and it gives a thrifty appearance to stock, producing a 
fine, shiny coat, soft to the touch, which is of special importance in 
the case of exhibition stock. The nutritive effect of the two kinds 
of meal may, in general, be considered nearly similar. The old- 
process meal has some advantage as a feed for fattening animals, 
Fic. 37.—Cross-section of flaxseed showing the different layers of cells: ¢, cuticle; q, 
mucilage cells; s, stone celis; pi, pigment cells; p, protoplasm and oil; a, aleurone gn 
grains; when soaked in water the mucilage cells well and form the peculiar flaxseed jelly. 
for show stock, and in combination with dry feed or feeds of con- 
stipating tendencies; when given with feeds of a laxative influence, 
such as green fodders, roots, and silage, or where a large supply 
of protein is important, as is often the case in feeding milch cows, 
the new-process meal may be preferred. 
The Swelling Test..—It is of interest to determine at times whether an 
oil meal is old- or new-process. The following simple test can be made at 
any farm by means of a tumbler and a teaspoon: Pulverize a small quantity 
* Wisconsin Report, 1895, p. 64; “ Examination of Oil Meals,’ by the 
author. 
