FOOD 233 



It is well not to give too much silage to begin -with, like 

 any other change in food it should be gradually introduced. 

 At Eothamsted it was found that 65 lbs. of red clover sour 

 silage given to fat cattle, was equal in feeding value to 

 12 lbs. clover hay and 49 lbs. of roots. 



Straw. 



The cereal straws in use are derived from wheat, oats, 

 rye and barley, while the pulses furnish bean and pea straw. 



Straw used as bedding needs no consideration here, the 

 straws now being dealt with are those used for feeding 

 purposes, which should be the best of their kind, and cut 

 at the right time. The earlier straw is cut the more nutri- 

 ment it contains, if cut when the straw is yellow there is a 

 great proportion of cellulose, and a very serious reduction 

 in proteid, which may fall from 8 per cent, in the young 

 plant to 3 per cent, in the old. 



Summer straw is better than winter, it possesses less 

 fibre and more proteid. The one generally preferred for 

 feeding purposes is oat straw, while that of wheat is com- 

 monly used as bedding. 



Experiments show that from 17 per cent, to 35 per cent, 

 of the proteid s in different cereal straws are capable of 

 digestion, and from 50 per cent, to 60 per cent, of the 

 cellulose. This is by no means poor, and some have con- 

 sidered that as feeding material straws have not received 

 sufficient attention. It is certain that on the Continent of 

 Europe, and other parts of the world, they are more appre- 

 ciated than in England. 



Putting the case broadly, it may be said that straw is 

 deficient in proteid, and contains an excess of cellulose. It 

 is of great value in giving bulk to the diet, especially of 

 cattle, and with them is not only useful mechanically in 

 rumination, but is also nutritious. 



In parts of India cattle get no other food than the 

 chopped straw of wheat and barley, and on these they do 

 an immense amount of work. 



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