172 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



In digestibility the green buckwheat is almost comparable to clover, 

 but contains a much larger percentage of water, and is not, therefore, 

 well suited to constitute the sole food for cattle. When given to cattle 

 not more than fifty kilogrammes per thousand kilogrammes body weight 

 can be given, the remainder of the food consisting of dry food. On feed- 

 ing with buckwheat, the milk and the butter assume a beautiful yellow 

 color. The green buckwheat is entirely unsuitable for sheep and hogs, 

 either freshly mown or for grazing, and in them frequently causes serious 

 disturbances. On account of its large percentage of water it is only 

 suitable for horses as an accessory food. The conversion of the green 

 buckwheat into hay offers great difficulty on account of its large percent- 

 age of water. The grains of buckwheat are principally used as food. 

 They contain — 



Solids, 86-8 per cent. 



Proteids 10.1 



Pats 1.5 " 



Non-nitrogenous extractive matters, . . 59.5 " 



Cellulose 15.0 



Ash 1.8 " 



They are thus not especially rich in nitrogenous matters and contain 

 large amounts of cellulose, and belong, therefore, to the more indigestible 

 cereals, but form a good additional food for draught horses, sheep, milk 

 cattle, and fattening cattle. When, however, given in large amounts to 

 ruminants and hogs, they are apt to produce very serious disturbances, 

 especially in summer. In winter, on the other hand, the buckwheat is 

 less hurtful a food, though it is advisable to cease its administration at 

 least two weeks before grazing commences. Buckwheat-meal contains — 



Solids, 84.0 per cent. 



Proteids, 15 



Fats, 3 5 " 



Non-nitrogenous extractive matters, . . 43.0 " 



Cellulose, 19.0 



Ash, 3.4 " 



Buckwheat-meal is, therefore, relatively rich in proteids, and in spite of 

 its considerable amount of cellulose is a good fattening food for hogs. It 

 is frequently adulterated with the seeds of various weeds. Buckwheat- 

 straw belongs to the most useful of this class of fodders. It contains — 



Solids 89.9 per cent. 



Proteids, 4.1 " 



Fats 1.4 " 



Non-nitrogenous extractive matters, . . 32.9 " 



Cellulose, 44.3 



Ash, 5.0 " 



It contains somewhat more cellulose than most of the straws of the 

 different cereals, and is, therefore, perhaps more indigestible, but it is 

 also richer in proteids. 



