160 VETEEINAEY HYGIENE 



the produce will be in a similar condition ; it will be defi- 

 cient in those constituents on which its nutritive value 

 depends. Oats, for example, with good manuring will pro- 

 duce sixteen bushels for every bushel of seed sown, whereas 

 on poor land only five bushels are produced. 



The character of the soil affects the quality of the crop, 

 oats grown on clay soil are superior to any others, while 

 rye flourishes best on a light sandy soil, and barley on a 

 good loam. 



The age at which the crop is gathered exercises a pro- 

 found influence on the nutritive value, if the hay is cut 

 late much of its properties are lost, if cut too early it has 

 failed to reach the full extent of its value as fodder. Wheat 

 cut about a fortnight before it is ripe contains the most 

 proteid and starch, the bushel weighs heavier, and the 

 straw contains most nourishment ; if cut late the ear con- 

 tains more cellulose, a reduction in flour, and an increased 

 amount of bran. 



The season is responsible for the quality of the food, wet 

 years are productive of parasitic diseases and delay in 

 maturing. Hay suffers seriously as the result of wetting, 

 as some of its most valuable properties are washed out of it 

 through being soluble in water. 



The age of grain and fodder up to a certain time enhances 

 their value ; all grain and fodder are indigestible if they 

 have not matured. There are certain chemical processes 

 occurring in new hay and grain after storing, which 

 remove such irritating properties as they possess, and 

 render the nutritive principles easier of digestion. This 

 seems to apply to all hay and grains, and many other sub- 

 stances, for instance, mangels. 



Food badly saved through a wet season or other causes, 

 is a fruitful source of trouble ; the material deteriorates, 

 becomes mouldy, important chemical changes occur to the 

 proteids and starches, rendering them unfit for food or 

 even poisonous. The risk which is run by feeding on 

 badly saved material entirely depends upon the extent to 

 which deterioration has taken place ; it appears to be less 



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