POOD 



241 



introduction as a disease producer, but in this respect it 

 requires no more than ordinary care, and as an economical 

 force-producing food it is of the greatest value. 



In certain countries like South Africa it is the staple 

 forage grain, and in spite of the fact of it being usually 

 given whole, horses and mules do remarkably well on it. 



Maize contains nearly as much proteid as oats and more 

 carbo-hydrates, while its fat is equal to oats ; in salts, 

 however, it is deficient. Its digestibility is higher than oats, 

 as proved by experiment (see table, p. 107) . 



As a diet for working horses four or five pounds a day 

 may be given in a mixture, or much larger quantities if 

 given alone. 



It must, however, be crushed and mixed with chaff, as it 

 is extremely hard and far too trying for the teeth. 



When fed whole, great care should be taken that animals 

 are not watered after feeding owing to the swelling of the 

 grain, which may produce colic or ruptured stomach. 



It was generally believed that maize made horses 'soft,' 

 that they sweated easily at work and did not produce the 

 hard condition of oats. There may be some foundation for 

 the latter statement, and one would not from choice train a 

 horse on maize if oats were procurable, but as a good 

 economical food for working horses it can be strongly 

 recommended. Maize should not be given to brood mares 

 or young stock, owing to its deficiency in mineral matter. 



As a cattle food it is esteemed, and is excellent for pigs, 

 which rapidly fatten on it. 



Maize may be grown in hot dry summers, and given green 

 forms a useful fodder especially for milch cows. It may 

 also be converted into good silage. 



Analysis of Maize (Wolff). 

 Water ... 

 Proteids 

 Fat 



Carbo-hydrates . . . 

 Cellulose 

 Salts ... 



12'7 



101 



4-7 



68-6 



2-3 



1-6 



16 



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