MANUAL OF CATTLE-FEEDmO. 463 



already been pointed out on pages 20 to 2-i. This is 

 especially tlie ease witli growing animals, wliicli lm\ e not 

 only to replace the loss of these substances which is con- 

 tinually taking place, but also to provide material for new 

 giowtli, both of bone and of the soft parts of the body. 



^^PPly ^^ the Food. — Although all the mineral in- 

 gredients of the body are esheaUal^ there are five substances 

 which, on account of the large quantity of them which is 

 required, may be said to be more important than the 

 others ; these are soda, potash, lime, phosphoric acid, and 

 chlorine. 



Of these, sodium (the basis of soda) and chlorine, com- 

 bined to form common salt, occupy to a certain extent an 

 exceptional position, as has already been explained, and 

 the necessity for a sufficient supply of salt is generally un- 

 derstood and acted upon. Potash is contained in sufficient 

 quantity, and generally in excess, in all ordinary feeding- 

 stuffs. Lime and phosphoric acid, though they exist in 

 large quantity in many feeding-stuffs, may sometimes be 

 deficient, and these two substances are the principal ones 

 which need be considered. 



Of the common fodders, grass and hay, particularly 

 clover, are quite rich in lime but comparatively poor in 

 phosphoric acid- The same is the case with the straw of 

 the legumes. The straw of the cereals contains rather 

 more phosphoric acid than that of the legumes, but still 

 has an excess of lime- Eoots, being so watery, liave rela- 

 tively little ash, but contain more phosphoric acid than 

 lime. The grains, and indeed all seeds, are rich in phos- 

 phoric acid and poor in lime. 



Ciremnstanees under i?rhicli a Lack may occur.— 

 These considerations make it evident that when an animal 

 is fed largely or exclusively on coarse fodder, particularly 



