bulky to constitute any considerable part of the ration of a hard-working animal. It is a very good food for young and growing animals, as it is rich in mineral matter and protein, elements that the young animal must have to build up his body. It serves the needs of the grown horse best when given as a "condition" food.

Linseed meal.-This food is very rich in protein, and is often fed to the horse in limited quantities, more for the specific effect it has on the horse than for the actual nutrients it contains. It stimulates the skin secretions and gives the horse a very smooth and glossy hair. It can be used as a laxative. Linseed meal is very palatable and easily digestible. It is fattening in its nature and hence desirable if one wishes to fatten his horse. Linseed is valuable as a food for the growing colt because of its high amount of mineral matter and protein. It cannot be fed, however, in very large quantities because of its laxative effect, and some horses cannot eat it at all, as it scours them at once.

Cottonseed meal.—This meal has about the same composition and the same effect on the mature horse as has linseed meal. Cottonseed meal should not, however, be fed to young and growing animals.

Gluten meal or feed.-Gluten is sometimes fed to the horse. It is rich in protein, but rather deficient in mineral matter. It has the objection that when moistened with saliva it has a tendency to form balls in the mouth and is not so palatable. However, it is quite digestible. Like linseed and cottonseed meal, it should not be fed in very large quantities. Because of its low mineral matter content it should not be given to the young and growing colt.

Dried brewer's grains.-These grains have been used in the ration of the work horse with success. An experiment is quoted when they were compared with oats and the following conclusions drawn: In both rations the nutrients furnished were sufficient to maintain the weight

of the animal under average work; taking all in all, a pound of the dried brewer's grains was quite as useful as a pound of oats in the ration for work horses.

Molasses. Numerous trials have been made of feeding molasses to horses, particularly in the South. It is rich in nitrogen-free extract and hence is quite digestible. In the South, where it is fed extensively, it is fed from a large trough, and the animals are allowed to eat at will. In the North it is customary to dilute it with water and sprinkle on the hay. Molasses has a good physical effect upon the animal. It encourages skin secretions and keeps the hair fine and glossy. There are some disadvantages connected with the use of molasses, however, as it attracts insects, especially flies and ants, sticks to the animal's coat, halter, tie strap and manger, and is difficult to mix with other foods.

Patent stock foods.-If the horse is out of condition, or if the food is not so good as it should be, the use of condimental or patent stock foods may be of advantage in bringing the animal up to the normal condition. The price at which these patent foods are sold makes them extremely expensive to the consumer, and the profits that accrue from their sale are great. if one has a horse that is out of condition it may be profitable to buy a package of this food. There is nothing difficult in the making of these foods, and any one can mix a "conditioner" himself if he has the time and disposition to do so.

Yet

CHAPTER XXXV

HAY AND FORAGE FOR THE HORSE

The kinds of forage that are available for horse feeding are even more numerous than the grains, and they vary as widely in their composition and nutritive value. Dry forage, on the average, contains from one-third to one-half the energy value of grain. It differs from grain in that it contains more water and more fiber. Because of the high percentage of water, succulent forage contains from one-third to one-half the energy value of dry forage. Many of the succulent foods, especially roots and tubers, are almost entirely digestible.

HAY AND DRY FORAGE

It is better to have the digestive tract of the horse moderately distended with coarse material rather than contracted, as would be the case if grains possessing only the requisite nutrients were supplied. In fact, horses fail to thrive when fed concentrates alone; even oats with their strawlike hulls do not provide sufficient bulk. Further, on farms roughage is ordinarily much cheaper than concentrates and, therefore, should be used as much as possible, although some grain should always be fed in addition, especially to working animals.

Timothy hay.-Although not particularly rich in digestible nutrients, timothy is the standard hay for horse feeding. There are many reasons for its popularity. It can be grown successfully in nearly all localities and is the principal market hay; it is difficult to adulterate with other grasses or weeds without detection; it is relished by horses; it is free from dust-all of which conditions commend good timothy hay as a horse food.

Clover hay. This hay has not been held in high esteem as a forage for horses. The reasons are obvious. It is generally loaded with dust, and this is often hard. to prevent. The clover stem is not stiff enough to hold the plant upright and it falls to the ground, and more or less dirt is splashed upon it by rain. Then the leaves and stems are very brittle and crumble into dust in the curing of the hay. Further, the hay often goes into the mow so moist that fermentation takes place. During this oxidation or slow-burning process, particles of blackened, partially carbonized leaves are produced,

which finely divided matter rises in the air in clouds of dust when the hay is moved. Some of it enters the nostrils of the horse and is drawn into the lungs, there setting up serious irritation. This can be prevented in large measure by moistening the hay before feeding. When bright and clean, clover is a very valuable food for the horse, especially for the young and growing colt, as it is rich in protein and mineral matter; in fact, it makes a better ration than timothy when fed in limited quantities.

Alfalfa hay. This hay belongs to the same natural

family as clover hay, and meets with similar objections. It is likely to be dusty, especially when grown in regions of considerable rainfall. It seems certain that alfalfa fed in limited quantities will prove as efficient as timothy to the slow-going draft horse. Horses are very fond of alfalfa, and it is necessary to guard against feeding an oversupply. Like clover, there is no better forage for the young and growing colt.

Cereal hay.-Cereal plants, such as oats, barley and wheat, are often harvested before the grain matures and the forage used as hay. Such hay is extensively used on the Pacific Coast, especially in California, where it is held in high esteem as a forage for race horses. Cereal hay may often be advantageously employed for horse feeding in the eastern United States. When timothy commands a very high price, many successful farmers. sell their timothy and raise oat hay for their work horses.