Whatever may be the medicinal virtues of these foods, or however appropriate the term "condimental" which has been applied to them, it is quite certain that their whilom designation "concentrated" was a misnomer. Their composition shows that they possess a degree of nutritive power considerably below that of linseed-cake, and but little, if at all, superior to that of Indian corn.
The following analytical statement, which I published some years ago, will give an insight into the nature of these articles:—
| ANALYSES OF CONDIMENTAL FOOD. | ||
| Thorley's. | Bradley's. | |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 12·00 | 12·09 |
| Nitrogenous, or flesh forming principles | 14·92 | 10·36 |
| Oil | 6·08 | 5·80 |
| Gum, sugar, mucilage, &c. | 56·86 | 60·21 |
| Woody fibre | 5·46 | 5·32 |
| Mineral matter (ash) | 4·68 | 6·22 |
| ——— | ——— | |
| 100·00 | 100·00 | |
As a ton of linseed-cake contains a greater amount of nutriment than an equal quantity of condimental food, the latter should be clearly proved to possess very valuable specific virtues, in order to induce the feeder to use it extensively. Cattle and horses out of condition may be benefited by its carminative and tonic properties; but if they are, it surely must be a bad practice to feed healthy animals upon a substance which is a remedy in disease. It is asserted, and probably with some degree of truth, that when dainty, over-fed stock loathe their food, they are induced to eat greedily by mixing the "condimental" with their ordinary food. If such really be the case, let the feeder compound the article himself, and effect thereby a saving of perhaps 50 or 80 per cent. in the cost of it. A good condimental food, rich in actual nutriment, and pleasantly flavored, is no doubt a compound which might be used with advantage; but it should be sold at a moderate and fair price.
([25]) See Transactions of Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland for 1852.
([26]) Zig-zag clover, or Marl grass? Cowgrass is Trifolium pratense perenne.