21 



such concentrates in the amounts ordinarily fed can not make good 

 any deficiency of lime in a sorghum or grass ration. On the other 

 hand, some of the leguminous forage crops analyzed were found 

 to be decidedh^ higher in lime than grasses and so to be especially 

 valuable as one of the constituents of a ration. Thus, two samples of 

 alfalfa (Nos. 2 and 3) contained, respectively, 0.45 and 0.41 per cent 

 lime, Spanish clover (Desmodium uncinatumi) 0.19 per cent, and Des- 

 modium triflorum 0.70 per cent. Two samples of ground algeroba 

 beans (pods and seeds) contained, respectively, 0.28 and 0.34 per cent, 

 and two samples of algeroba bean seeds 1 and 1.10 per cent, respec- 

 tively. Many miscellaneous fodder materials furnishing higher per- 

 centages of lime may be mentioned, such as dried brewers' grains, with 

 0.25 per cent of this constituent; linseed meal, with 0.40 per cent; and 

 molasscuit, with 0.86 and 1.07 per cent, respectively, in two of the 

 samples anah^zecl. 



This lack of lime in many of our grasses and forage plants may very 

 possibly explain in large measure the failure to obtain the best results, 

 a condition which sometimes follows the feeding of what was other- 

 wise a properly balanced ration when judged by the chemical compo- 

 sition only. 



The function of calcium in plant life is not very well understood. 

 It is usually absent from young tissues and is found for the most 

 part in the walls of adult cells, where it is present in organic combina- 

 tion. It may also be present as a by-product in the form of crystals 

 of oxalate of lime deposited in the cells. The higher plants can not 

 develop normally without lime, and for this reason it is regarded as 

 being necessary for plant life. 



As regards the function of lime in the animal, it forms an essential 

 part in the bones, is present to a greater or less extent in the ash con- 

 stituents of the organs and tissues, and is abundant in milk. More 

 than 2 per cent of the live weight of a full grown, well-fed steer is 

 lime. Cows' milk contains more lime than does limewater, the amount 

 present being generally in excess of 0.15 per cent, while limewater sat- 

 urated at 80° F. contains about 0.09 per cent. Lime constitutes about 

 20 per cent of the ash of milk, and generally more than 1.5 per cent 

 of the total solids. 



A lack of lime in food will result in improper bone development 

 in the growing animal. This impaired development of the bony skele- 

 ton will, of course, react on the general growth of the animal, and the 

 purpose for which the animal is fed, whether it be the production of 

 beef, or milk, or of work, will not be attained. In extreme cases a 

 diseased condition of the body may result. 



Lime enters the animal body both in food and drink. All flowering 

 plants contain some lime, as do almost if not all natural waters. Sur- 

 face waters, however, in Hawaii, except in coral formations, contain 



