248 VETEEINAEY HYGIENE 



THE PULSES. 



These belong to the Natural Order Leguminoscs, and 

 those used for feeding purposes may be classified as peas or 

 beans. 



Their chief value as food depends upon the considerable 

 amount of proteid they contain, and they are therefore of 

 the greatest value for horses as an addition to the ordinary 

 diet, where severe work has to be accomplished. They are 

 quite unsuited by themselves for feeding purposes, though 

 in some parts of the world, as in India and China, they have 

 from necessity to be largely used. 



Speaking generally it may be said they are intensely 

 stimulating, far too rich for ordinary use, very indigestible 

 and gas producing, and require great care in adminis- 

 tration. 



Peas. 



There are many varieties of peas, but the one used for 

 animal food is the grey pea, Pisum arvense. The stem or 

 haulm of peas makes a very good fodder especially for 

 cattle and sheep. As a straw it is one of the richest, but it 

 is difficult to save properly, being liable to mildew. It 

 should be given chaffed or steamed, and is said to produce 

 an excellent coloured butter. 



The grain itself is not so digestible as beans, and the 

 latter are always preferred for horses. For pigs and cattle 

 pea meal may be given with advantage, either ground or 

 split. It is a good food for fattening animals and increases 

 the flow of milk. 



Peas should be one year old before being used, they 

 should be free from weevil, sound, sweet, and weigh 64 lbs. 

 to the bushel. 



The amount given daily depends upon the purpose for 

 which they are intended, from one-half to two pounds may be 

 given to fattening cattle depending upon the other food, and 

 the same holds good for horses. They should always be 

 split or ground. 



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