224 



COMMERCIAL POULTRY RAISING 



Importance of Succulence. — Green foods- are likely to be re- 

 garded more as an accessory to the fowl's bill-of-fare than an 

 essential requirement. This notion is a mistake. Greenstuffs, 

 sometimes spoken of as succulents, are just as important as 

 grains, meals and animal foods — not so much from the stand- 

 point of nutrition, because in this respect they are far below grain, 



{Courtesy Million Egg Farm) 

 Fig. 143. — Gathering greenstuffs for the fowls. 



rather because of their medicinal and hygienic value. Greens 

 act as a tonic. They tone the system; counteract the e^'ils of 

 the more concentrated foods, and assist in their assimilation. 

 Besides, they do furnish some nutrients, especially the mineral 

 elements; also they contribute water. 



The human taste craves lettuce, celery, water-cress and other 

 crisp greens, not so much for their food value, but because of their 



