I9H.] 



Concentrated Feeding-stuffs. 



299 



made from Egyptian or Indian seed, and the former from 

 American seed. 



Decorticated Cotton Cake. — This cake, when well made 

 and in good mechanical condition, may be considered one of 

 the most valuable foods at the farmer's disposal. Weight for 

 weight, it contains a larger aggregate amount of valuable 

 material than any other food, and, as a rule, can be obtained 

 at a price which, in relation to its composition, is very 

 moderate. Further, it yields richer manurial residues than 

 any other food. At one time this cake contained as a rule 

 14 to 16 per cent, of oil, but the quantity of this ingredient 

 has now dropped to about 8 or 10 per cent. Some degree of 

 compensation for the comparative poverty in oil is the 

 increased percentage of albuminoids, which range from about 

 40 to 50 per cent., but deficiency in oil is often associated 

 with a cake that is hard and "knotty." 



The average composition of decorticated cotton cake at the 

 present time is about 40 per cent, albuminoids, 8 or 10 per 

 cent, oil, and 20 per cent, carbohydrates. At ordinary rates 

 this is one of the cheapest foods in the market, though it is 

 not suitable for calves, lambs, or other young stock, unless 

 given in small quantities, and in a finely ground condition. 

 It is not suitable for pigs. 



It is most economically employed for dairy stock or fatten- 

 ing cattle, and as a rule should be accompanied by about an 

 equal weight of some starchy food like maize or barley. 

 When fed in this way experiments have shown that this food 

 may be usefully employed both for fat stock and dairy cows. 

 Provided that it be not used too liberally, it is superior to 

 linseed cake where first-rate samples of butter are required ; 

 it renders the butter firm and easily manipulated, and imparts 

 good keeping qualities, and a high melting point ; it is thus 

 specially useful in hot weather. The very high quality of 

 the manure made from this cake is a point that experienced 

 farmers do not overlook. This cake is largely used in certain 

 parts of the country, notably in Scotland ; whereas in others 

 it is rarely seen. 



The chief points to be observed in purchasing decorticated 

 cotton cake are : — (1) To ensure that the cake is made wholly 

 from decorticated seed; (2) to see' that it is in suitable con- 



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