CHAPTER III. 



CONCENTRATED ^ODBEES. 



Tins name is given to those feeding-stuffs wliicli, occtir- 

 ring largely in trade, contain in a given weiglit a relatively 

 IsiTge quantity of digestible matters. Tlie nitrogen-free 

 extract consists for the most part of carbhydrates, particu- 

 larly in the grains, and albuminoids and fat are frequently 

 present in large proportions. 



1 1. The Grains. 



Value. — Of all the concentrated fodders the grains are 

 perhaps the most important. They contain large quanti- 

 ties of nutrients and are a specific fodder for working 

 animals. Practice seems to show that grain feeding for 

 certain purposes is indispensable, and attempts to replace 

 grain by other feeding- stuffs, even those in which chemical 

 analysis shows an equal amount of nutritive matter, have 

 either failed or met with but partial success. 



It is especially suited for animals which have to per- 

 form severe work and for young animals ; while for those 

 which have reached maturity, and of which only a moder- 

 ate amount of work is demanded, other feeding-stuffs may 

 take its place, and for store animals, which perform little 

 work, it is too expensive. Like most highly concentrated 

 fodders, grain is soniewhat difficult to digest, and too 



