20 
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS. 
It has been explained in the foregoing pages that whenever 
kaing grass is procurable it should be given in preference to 
anything else. The daily quantity of green fodder should differ 
in accordance with the quantity of dry fodder (straws) allowed ; yet 
Lean strongly recommend that whenever practicable each animal 
should have as much green grass as it can consume. 
At times green crops that have partially failed and are no good 
for reaping should be bought up. As is well known to all culti- 
vators in jungle tracts inhabited by elephants, these animals are 
very fond of growing crops — a fact only too well evidenced by 
their many depredations. 
Sanderson made numerous experiments with regard to the 
quantity of the fodder elephants will eat, and gives most interesting 
information on the subject. He states : 800 lbs. may be looked 
upon as the m.ini?num weight of good fodder that should be placed 
before full-sized elephants per diem.'' He has seen a tusker eat 
800 lbs. in eighteen hours ; he also remarks on the insufficiency of 
the fodder usually placed before them. 
It mav be said with truth that most grasses, the leaves and 
branches of many trees, in fact most green stuffs, are acceptable. 
No amount of grain will compensate for a continued short allowance 
of fodder. \Mien good fodder is abundant, the extras may be 
reduced in quantity or entirely dispensed with. 
The leaves and branches of the peepul tree [iiyaung-ni) are reputed 
to be heating and should therefore be given sparingly. Plantain 
stems and leaves are not recommended in cold weather. When dry 
fodder is given for a short time, such as stems of maize and millet, 
a change to green fodder will be necessary. Sanderson points 
out that branches and leaves are best for food when the twigs snap 
rather than bend under pressure ; the branches are not relished when 
the sap runs. Only the inner bark of the stems of the larger 
branches is eaten, but the whole of the smaller branches. 
The great thing is to see that the animals have plenty to eat and 
that the fodder is always of good quality, clean and to their taste. 
Elephants are fastidious beasts and will not eat anything. It is desir- 
able not to permit them to graze in swamps or in inundated country 
[see Appendix E). 
Artificial Food, 
In so far as the domesticated elephant is in an artificial state, 
his natural diet must be modified and supplemented, and more 
particularlv so in the case of working elephants. If the animal in 
his natural condition, in which he develops a very small degree of 
