——

sear AND INVESTIGATIONS

Office of

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E DE nt otations, §

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CONDUCTED AT THE a

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sapere ateaN ANG AEN TONNE

PENNSYLVANIA

ISTATE COLLEGE

By Pror. W. H. JORDAN,

Pennsylvania State College.

HARRISBURG, PA.:

LANE 8S. HART, PRINTER AND BINDER.
1882.

EXPERIMENTS AND INVESTIGATIONS

CONDUCTED AT THE

PP TUNG Yel V Ac IN 1 AN

Pleat, © O Lb Wty ie

1864-2.

By Pror. W. H. JORDAN,

Pennsylvania State College.

2 Se
o
Sass

HARRISBURG, PA.:
LANE S. HART, PRINTER AND BINDER.
1882.

MAR 11 1905

D. of A,

EXPERIMENTS AND INVESTIGATIONS.

EFrecr oF PERiop OF CUTTING AND OF THE SOIL UPON THE COMPOSITION
oF TrmotHy Hay.

It is generally understood that hay varies in composition, and conse-
quently in value, according to the conditions under which it is grown, and
the time at which it is cut. Very much has been learned concerning the
nature and causes of such variations, and of their effect upon the nutritive
value of hay ; but we are still far from possessing the necessary amount of
information on some points. To aid in securing the desired knowledge
was the aim of this investigation. What is given in the following pages is
simply a report of progress,as other samples of hay are to be analyzed. Of
course all such work has for its object a better understanding of how to
secure the maximum nutritive value in the grass or hay used for feeding,
and in order that the utility of the analyses herewith reported, and of those
to follow, may be seen, there is given a brief statement of some of the main
facts concerning the ingredients of cattle foods, and their relation to animal
nutrition, followed by a resumé of present knowledge pertaining to the main
points under consideration.

The Ingredients of Plants and their Office in Animal Nutrition.

All vegetable cattle foods are made up of four classes of substances, viz :
Nitrogenous organic substances, (included, heretofore, under the general
names of albuminoids or protein,) carbo-hydrales, fats or oils,and mineral
substances,and the value of any given food stuff depends upon the relative
percentage which it contains of these different ingredients. An animal
grows, exercises muscular force, produces milk and young, and keeps up a
supply of bodily heat, and these different food elements furnish the means
whereby this is done. Moreover, each of these different classes of sub-
stances has its own peculiar part to play in maintaining animal life. One
class may be able to do what another cannot.

PROTEIN oR ALBUMINOIDS.—These terms, sometimes one and sometimes
the other, have been used to designate the organic nitrogenous constituents
of plants as a class. It has been assumed, until lately, that essentially all
of the nitrogen of plants is combined to form true albuminoids, compounds
of which muscular tissue, (lean meat,) the white of an egg, the flesh of

* For the plans of the experiments and investigations herewith reported, and for the
accompanying analyses, I am responsible. For the cireful and patient supervision
necessary to the successful prosecution of experimental work, credit belongs to the
superintendents of the Central and Eastern Experimental Farms, Mr. W. C. Patter-
son and Mr. J. F. Hickman. The work was undertaken and will be continued in the
hope that some conclusions will be reached that will prove to be ot advantage to the
farmer asa producer. The results here reported may serve possibly to give some idea
of what might be accomplished Fy a well equipped experiment station, where land,
means, and men should be centralized in one efficient organization.

It is but fair to say that the analytical work has been possible through the great pro-
gress that has been made in the development at the College of a working chemical
laboratory within the past few years, so that analyses can now be executed with toler-
able rapidity and according to modern methods.

W. H. JoRDAN.

4

fishes, and the gluten of wheat are good examples. It is now known that
a portion of the nitrogen may be combined to form compounds not al-
buminoid in their character, and to this latter class has been given the term
amides. As special interest attaches to the occurrence and properties of
these compounds, they will receive fuller mention later. The albuminoids
proper are considered to be the most important ingredients of cattle foods.
From them alone can be produced the muscular tissue of the animal body,
as well as the casein and albumen of milk. Butter fat is, undoubtedly,
formed from them, and a portion cf the body fat, and muscular force is
somehow dependent upon their presence in the food.

While the most important nutritive oflices of albuminoids are indicated
above, they probably, at all times, directly aid in keeping the animal warm,
and in case the ration is composed entirely of albuminoids, can be made
to furnish all the fuel for the maintenance of bodily heat. In short, there
is nothing these compounds cannot do in sustaining life, unless it be the
supplying of mineral substances. After having gone through the digestive
processes, the products of their decomposition make up quite a portion of
the fertilizing value of farm manures.

Carbo-hydrates includes such compounds as crude fiber (cellulose and
lignose,) starch, sugar, gums, &c. ‘hese bodies contain no nitrogen, and,
therefore, cannot serve as the source of flesh or the principal compounds
of milk. Just what their relation is to muscular force is not yet fully de-
termined. Their chief office seems to be to supply fuel for keeping up
animal heat, though they undoubtedly aid-in the formation of fat in the
herbivora, but not in the carnivora.

The fats serve the purpose of storing animal fat, and are also burned to
keep the animals warm, one pound of fat being worth, for fat and heat-form-
ing purposes, probably not far from two pounds of starch or sugar.

The percentages of fat, as given in fodder tables, are too large, owing to
the fact that the ether used in extracting them dissolves out other sub-
stances. Both the fats and carbo-hydrates have an indirect value in that
they serve to protect the albuminoids from destruction, and thus make
ereater flesh or milk production possible.

Influence of Fertility.

Fodder manufactured from the same species of plant does not generally
have the same composition in two cases where there has been a difference
in the conditions of growth and treatment. Past investigations seem to
indicate that the state of fertility of the soil has a prominent influence in
determining not only the quantity, but the quahty of farm crops. Shlces-
inge* found that the ash of tobacco varied greatly in composition, according
to the fertilizer applied. It is a well-known fact that the percentage of
sugar in sugar beets can be diminished or increased according to the method
of manuring.

Ritthausen and Pott, + Krensler and Kern,{ and especially Lawes and
Gilbert, have found tbat the application of an abundance of nitrogenous
manures to wheat, causes an increased percentage of nitrogen in the grain.
Emmerlings§ found that hay grown upon low land of good quality con-
tained nearly two per cent. more of protein than hay grown upon poor
land of the same general character.

Dr. Armsby cites analyses of two samples of hay, one being taken ‘ from

* Jahresbericht der Agr., Chem. III., p. 81.
{ Ibid. XVI. I, p. 304.

t+ Ibid. XVIII, I, p. 258.

§ Ibid., p. 269.

‘| Manual of Cattle Feeding, pp. 289-290.

5

a part of the field which wasin an ordinary state of fertility,” and the other
‘from spots where the excrement and urine of the grazing animals had
caused an especial luxuriant growth.” The former contained only eleven
per cent. of protein, the latter over twenty per cent.

There is found to be quite a difference between American and German
hays, the latter being the better. Below is a comparison of the average
composition of nine (9) samples of American timothy with the composition
of German timothy :

Nitrogen, |
B E free ex-
Water. | Protein. | Fiber. iehatiod Fat.
matters.
Per cent. | Percent. | Per cent. Per cent. Percent.
American timothy, 13.50 6.16 28.94 45 .85 1.68
German timothy, ¢ 14.3 9.7 22.7 45.8 3.0

It is not improbable that the difference seen above is due to the more
thorough cultivation practiced in Germany, although a partial cause may
be found in climatic conditions.

Influence of the Stage of Growth.

Hay made from early cut grass differs from that made from late cut, in
the following particulars :

1. It contains a larger percentage of nitrogen. Whether this is due to
the presence of a greater percentage of albuminoids or not will be discussed
later.

2. It contains a smaller percentage of crude fiber.

3. It contains larger percentages of fat and of ash.

4. One effect of the above differences in the composition of early and late
cut hay, is to render the former more digestible, which is certainly in favor
of the early cutting of hay. Whether there are any compensating advan-
tages in late cutting remains to be seen.

The question of the relative values of early and late cut hay is, at pres-
ent, much discussed. The opinion has gained ground somewhat of late
that the value of early cut hay has been over-estimated. This opinion has
doubtless been strengthened by the claim that in the true grasses quite a
percentage of the nitrogen in the young plant is not in the albuminoid form
and that the relative percentage of albuminoid nitrogen increases with age.

The Occurrence of Amides in Grass, and their Influence upon Nutritive Value.

The method which chemists have been forced to take for the estimation
o: albuminoids, has been based upon an assumption, viz: That, essentially
all the nitrogen of plants exists in the albuminoid form. Acting on this
assumption, and knowing that the average percentage of nitrogen in the
various albuminoid substances is about sixteen (16) per cent. of the whole
substance, it has been customary to determine the amount of nitrogen and
multiply this by 6} in order to obtain the amount of albuminoids. Were
there no nitrogenous substances in hay or other cattle foods, save albumi-
_noids, such a method of determination would probably give quite a close
approximation to correct results. Later investigations show, however, that
our common fodder plants contain a variety of nitrogenous compounds,
some of which are not albuminoid, either in chemical form or in properties.

6

This renders the analysis of cattle foods, and the discussion of their values,
more complicated.

Dr. H.’P. Armsby,* in connection with an investigation upon the non-
albuminoid nitrogen of hay and other food stuffs, has made an admirable
review of the whole question, and there is here presented a brief resumé of
his very complete article, with an occasional comment.

Kinds and Occurrence of Non-albuminoid Nitrogenous Substances.

1. Nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia salts occur in plants, most largely in
root crops. [These are in the form of mineral salts, which have no signifi-
cance in connection with animal nutrition, and they have to be considered
in the analysis of food stuffs. ]

2. The only nitrogenous organic substances, not albuminoid, which oe-
cur in sufficient abundance in cattle foods to demand attention, are the so-
called amides, a name applied not only to amides proper, but to other bodies
closely resembling them. These substances are really organic combinations
of ammonia. [Amides cannot be considered so highly organized compounds
as are the albuminoids. ]

Functions of Amides in the Plant.

1. It is pretty clearly shown that all transfer of albuminoids from one
»art of a plant to another is accomplished by their being transformed into
amides, in which form the movement occurs, and from which albuminoids
are rebuilt where new plant substance is forming. [Inasmuch as amides
are soluble and easily diffusible, and as albuminoids possess neither of these
properties to any great extent, there is every reason why some such~rans-
formations should occur. It is an undoubted fact that the albuminoids in
the seeds of grain and hay are formed from similar substances already ex-
isting in the plant, and it seems quite probable that nitrogenous substance
trav els from the stalk to the seeds in the form of amides. |

2. Amides have, in certain cases, been found to constitute a reserve of
nitrogenous plant food, as in the case of fodder beets which have been found
to contain quite a large quantity of these compounds. In the second year’s
growth, these amides find their way into the stalks and leaves, and are there
converted into albuminoids.

Occurrence of Amides.

From what has been said of the functions of amides, we should expect
to find them in greater abundance in young plants, which, according to the
results of the investigations of Kellner, seems to be the case. T he riper
the plant, the larger the proportion of albuininoid nitrogen according to
Kellner.

Dr. Armsby found amides in all of twenty-one samples of coarse fodder,
varying from 8.93 per cent. to 39.60 per cent. of total notrogen. [So far
as can “be judged from the dates of cutting, the hays from ‘the youngest
grass, do not, in Dr. Armsby’s analyses, show a very much larger percent-
age of amides than does the later cut hay. Six samples cut before July 1
gave an average of only two per cent. more of nitrogen combined as amides
than the average of twelve samples cut after that time up to as late as Au-
gust J5. All the samples were cut in Connecticut and New Hampshire. ]

Malt sprouts, wheat and rye bran, lupines and beans, roots, and potatoes,
have all been found to contain considerable non-albuminoid nitrogen. Only
a small portion of the nitrogen of cereal grains is in the amide ‘form.

*Report of Conn. Expt. Station, 1879.

T

Relation of Amides to Animal Nutrition.

It is of course important to know what is the office of amides in sustain-
ing or building up the animal body.

1. Certain experiments seem to show that amides can cause an increase
of flesh in the animal, but this fact cannot be fully affirmed.

2. It is more probable that amides act as a protection to prevent albu-
minoids from oxidizing, thus allowing more of the latter to take part in
flesh formation, and so, in an indirect way, are as valuable as albuminoids.

The laws of nutrition and scientific feeding standards as experimentally
determined, are in no way invalidated by the discovery of this new class
of compounds in cattle food.

Composition of Samples of Hay Grown on the Central Experimental Farm,
under Different Conditions of Fertility, and Cut at Different Periods of
Growth.

On the 10th of May there was applied to a few square feet of grass land
a mixture of dissolved bone, muriate of potash, and sulphate of ammonia,
a complete fertilizer, containing all the ingredients which any soil would
be likely to need in order to grow a luxuriant crop of grass. The grass
growing on the spot fertilized was almost all timothy. The general condi-
tion of the land was such as to produce about one ton and a half of timothy
hay per acre, being the limestone clay so common in Centre county.

The fertilizers being applied liberally, \though but once,) the grass made
very luxuriant growth, certainly more than double that of the adjoining
grass where no fertilizer was applied. In rapidity of development there
seemed to be very little difference, the period of bloom being reached at
about the same time in the two cases. Samples of both the grass fertilized
and that immediately adjoining which was not, were taken at three periods
of growth, as follows,* (all pure timothy :)

1. June 6. Heads just appearing.

2. June 23. Just beginning to bloom.

3. July 5. Somewhat past full blossom. .

The samples were weighed green immediately on cutting, were quickly
and carefully dried, and stored in paper bags.

In the following table are given the weights of the different samples when
green, and of the dry hay as analyzed, with the percentage of water dried
out:

WITH FERTILIZERS. WITHOUT FERTILIZERS.
PERIOD OF 7 =

GROWTH. “Weight of | Weight or | Percent. of || weight of | Weight of | Pet cent. of

grass taken, | air dry hay. arated P grass taken. , air dry hay. arated is

grams. grams, grams. graros,

TSS tom ara e oik .< 598.4 136.5 77.2 723.4 188.8 73.9
MeECOnNd, «<2 «= 241.5 79.5 67.1 295.1 98.7 66.6
PRTC) sits) es ee 151.8 63.3 58.3 132.7 57.2 | 56.9

a ,

!

* The weights of samples taken have no reference to the yields of grass in the several cases,

The hay was much drier when analyzed than it would have been if kept
under ordinary conditions, having been stored in a dry room for about
three months. Two facts only are to be noticed in connection with the
above table, viz: (1.) The youngest samples of grass lost seventeen to

* Owing to absence on a vacation, a fourth sample was not taken when the grass was
nearly ripe.

8

nineteen per cent. of water more than the oldest, and (2) the grass fertil-
ized, and making the largest growth, lost the most water in every case,
The relative yields of grass were not taken into account, as other investi-
gations on that point will be reported later.

The following table shows the composition of the several samples of hay,
the first column giving the water content when analyzed, the remaining

columns showing the composition of the water-free substance : ,
OT
|
WITH FERTILIZERS. WITHOUT FERTILIZERS,
100 parts water-free sub- | 100 parts water-free sub-
stance contained. stance combined.
EE —-
20 PERIOD OF GROWTH. : {3 a
3 Ae reg ha i eal Pe
= S 5 se 3 o ae
> q 2 3 r= = 3
2 = ey 3S oy aes 2 Ss |/3a/oFl .
E 2/2 |2 | 8 | 3°) 3 lg a) Ss ee
=I Fl qidliols |e iE | 4} 44 co tee
% | % | %| %'\ %| || %| %| 1%! | %
June 6, | Heads just appearing, [10.86 | 8.48 17.37 2913 40 67 | 4.35 10.11 | 6.56 9.63 28.78 51.17 | 3.86
June 23, | Just beginning to bloom| 7.75 | 6.41 11.00 34.33 45.69 | 2.57 || 7.44 | 5.32 , 6.39 32.51 58.20 | 2 58
July 5, | Somewhat pastfull blos- | | | \ |
BOM, sates) ec 6 6 nie 7.388 | 5.74 | 7.50 ee 68 mae 1.98 || 6.89 | 5.19 | 5.00 33.86 53.81 | 2.14
| I

.

In the above tables, the albuminoids are estimated in the ordinary way,
2. e., by multiplying the total nitrogen by 6.25. As has before been stated,
not all the nitrogen of hay exists in the albuminoid form. An estimation
of the albuminoid and amide nitrogen, according to the method suggested
by Dr. H. P. Armsby,* gave the results that are seen in the next table:

WITH FERTILIZERS. WITHOUT FERTILIZERS,

a Ba = aa
A q ae x: | $=
TIME OF 5 aa ibe 8 5 | Soe
) , r=) |
Boerne: PERIOD OF GROWTH. we | Ss BS Bel hu Be tebe o | %S8
= o* = + HS tH o* x - wo
= Bg a Som = Es A #05
= = Aoe <= = =e)
=| r= A o OSD A & 2 o oT
Z =O = |°S3ll 3 Bo = Soe
Sees 8 | $ae8 S =p) = Sae@
a < < Oy H < 4 a
% | % % % % %
June6, .. Heads just appearing, ... 2.78 | 2.00 0.78 28.06 || 1.54 1.20 0.34 22.08
June 23, . ..| Just beginning to bloom, . .| 1.76] 1.34 0.42 23.86 1.023 | 1.835 | 0.188 18.38
July 5, .. .{|Somewhat past full blossom, | 1.20] 0.883 0.317 | 26.41 || 0,801} 0.612 | 0.189 23.37
AM EEARETlisieraievess ow awermiieve-e erica (eles Cel ees EE 0.50 26.11 |} 1.12 0.88 0.24 21,28

* Calculated on a water-free basis.

Considering the percentages of the various forms of nitrogen of the
hay from grass not fertilized as each equal to 100, we have for the percent-
ages of nitrogen in the hay grown with fertilizers, the following relative
quantities :

Without With
Fertilizers. Fertilizers.
EO PLA LUNOP OO iy aos Ma bielise a) 05 Seeiies kencate eres vemmene we 100 170
PLL MOAUTON TAGFOR EN, 0. vis a avis. 1-0) sides) 6 Bre Suse aah ws 100 160

PATTON MUCOMELIS cg ox. ty. Je Ceesic vl peeis ees, etree eee uc, Seen 100 208
* Report Conn. Experimental Station, 1879, p. 109.

9

The average percentages of total nitrogen, in the amide form, have, for
the two cases, the following ratio: Without fertilizers, 100; with fertil-
izers, 141.

Additional Amalyses.*

Since the publication of the above, analyses have been made of four
other samples of hay cut at different periods of growth. On both the
Eastern and Central experimental farms experiments have been conducted
for the purpose of gaining more information as to the advisability of let-
ting grass stand much beyond the period of bloom before cutting. The
samples of hay analyzed in connection with these experiments, were cut at
the period of bloom, and when nearly ripe. They were pure timothy, as
were the fields of grass experimented upon.

Below is given the composition of four samples, two being taken from
one farm, and two from the other. They were selected in each case by taking
a little hay here and there from the loads at the time of weighing, and are
believed to be a fair average of the fields of grass from which they came.
At the time of analysis, the hay had been stored for some time in paper
bags.

100 PARTS WATER-FREE, SUB- || &

STANCE CONTAIN 3

i iS

- oe a

TIME OF CUTTING. © Eo ot

2Q S lo)

: ¢ a q 3S

=| — [<) io] mH

o) A 3) re = o)

aa ee, | ete ie

= <{ py 'S fo) ae |e!

: % % % % %

Eastern farm, June 22, in bloom, . 9.53 || 5.03 | 8.06 | 36.89 | 47.57 | 2.48 9
July 14, nearly ripe, ae air 9.46 || 3.68 | 5.68 | 35.73 | 52.54 | 2.37 10
Central farm, June 30,in bloom, . .| 10.27 || 4.80 | 5.83 | 37.71 | 49.39 | 2.27 7
July 13, nearly ripe... .....{ 10.00 || 4.08 | 4.74 | 35.58 | 53.37 | 2.28 || 8

In the above table the “ protein” represents the sum of the albuminoid
and amide nitrogen multiplied by the factor 6.25. A determination of the
albuminoid nitrogen gave the following results:

3 Dek oO = g
(fe) et
= oH g ea
GH os ov na woe
og ake = & Sms
TIME OF CUTTING. = ea Seq © & go:
‘So 4 tS
Ba toes ve Bosse
Ay O Ay a
Eastern farm,in bloom, . 1.289 .942 B47 26 .93
Nearly ripe, .... sph siss .909 .668 241 26.51
Central farm, in bloom, .. .933 691 .242 .25 .94
INGABEVSTIDE he.) 50S) elie .758 , 567 SGM .25.19

The analyses of the ten samples of timothy hay as stated in the previous
tables, simply gives the water content, and the percentage composition of

* All that precedes was published in the college report for 1881.

10

the dry substance of the hay. Ix the following table is shown the compo-
sition of the ten samples calculated with a uniform percentage of water,
such as approximates very closely to the average water content of hay as

stored in barns.

ed '
orn - 2
= & ms 2 & a pid
Bsa] % * ae 8
STAGE OF GROWTH. : 8a & it = = $4
a “3 5 = o ye £8
2 : ae22 = = 3 om a ° =
cd Sart asect eo 5 ge” | eee
= 4 |e < <q 5 } cm RS
With fertilizers.
Heads justappearing, . 12.5 | 7.42 15.20 10.94 4.26 25.49 35.59 3.80 1
Just beginning to bloom, . 12.5 5.61 9.63 7.33 2.30 30.04 39.97 2.25 3
Past fullblossom, .... 12.5 5.02 6.57 4,83 1.74 30.34 43.84 1.73 5
Without fertilizers.
Heads just appearing, .. 12.5 5.74 8.43 6.56 1.87 25,18 44.77 3.38 2
Just beginning to bloom, . 12.5 4.65 5.59 4,57 1.02 28.45 46.55 2.26 | 4
Past fullblossom,..... 12.5 4.54 4,38 3.35 1.03 29.63 47.08 1,87 6
UTS) Gl 11S lS 12.5 4,37 7.06 5.16 1.90 32.28 41.62 2.17 9
Nearlyripe, ....... 12.5 3.22 4.97 3.65 1.82)| 81.27) 45.97 2.08 10
PRURAGOM Rc is 5 eles as 12.5 4.20.) 5.10 3.78 1.32 | 38.00} 43.19 2.01 7
MNearlypipe, .. . «+. 12.5 3.57 4.15 3.10 1.05 | 31.13 | 46.70 1.98 / 8

The last table gives simply the total quantities of the various ingredients
in a hundred pounds of the different kinds of hay. Only certain percent-
ages of these gredients are digested. Moreover, the percentages that are
digestible vary with the quality of the hay, the better hays being more di-
gestible than the poorer.

The following table shows the digestion percentages that have been as-
sumed for the various grades of hay, the figures being taken from the re-
sults of German investigation. The numbers in the left hand column refer
to those given in the right hand column of the previous table.

PARTS IN ONE HUNDRED DIGESTED OF
THE VARIOUS INGREDIENTS.
bs
x
LABORATORY NUMBER. = é
co) a
: 2 He
= - §%
§ 2 be
oe) On
S) = ao +3
ia uM 1 S
Oy S) i) ao
Dp Oy EMMA Oiy secre ie se ee ee 64 64 67 48
Sane) RIAU Ryd igh cy Mee cg vena” vy Sete ie tha 6 ve 56 57 63 48
RYer ey ERA LOME Se UE) xed Sse ate oe) clap Ba 52 57 61 49

*Tt should be remembered that the term ‘“‘amides” is used here to represent the
total non-albuminoids nitrogenous matter.

11

Using these percentages, we have the following quantities of digestible
nutrients in one hundred pounds of the hays analyzed :

| g E
S 3 =
o i I
LABORATORY NUMBER.| r; e ic =
A SS
S 3 SI = a
S r= a = s =
q S 3S 5 |
a, | (S fy ZA Ce a
eae fad! ay at anon aes Bree 9.72 | 40.10 | 1.82 | 1: 4.7 | Extra, .. | Heading out.
Sesto, jax we Ss a ee 6.16 | 45.98 | 1.08 | 1: 7.9 | Very good, | In early bloom.
POMOT ES oo ste’ kh, ge Pen 3.68 | 44.91 | 0.83 | 1:12.8 | Average, .| Past blossom.
1 lo OG a Re ae 5.40 | 46.11 | 1.62 |1: 9.8 | Good, . .| Heading out.
PiraE ets ois fal sna) Ride RD cok 3.13 | 45.53 | 1.08 | 1:15.4 | Average, .| In early bloom.
RTPA AT cl os RN Pale ae eee 2.28 45.60 | 0.92 | 1:21 Poor, . . .{| Past blossom.
Sh, SUGAR AIS area ane 3.95 | 44.62 | 1.04 }1:11.9 | Good, . .| In bloom.
LC okie Bema wre Paine 2.58 | 45.86 | 1.02 |1:18.8 | Poor, . . . | Nearly ripe.
7 SOT CR aie a rear cr 2.86 | 46.02 | 0.96 |1:16.9 | Average, .| In bloom.
Se mrem oi ooh a yshi he 1 Sfot om: Si - 2.16 | 46.23 | 0.97 |1:22.5 | Poor, . . .| Nearly ripe.

The “ nutritive ratio ” is the relation of the quantity of digestible nitro-
genous material to the quantity of digestible carbo-hydrates, the latter in-
cluding two and one half times the fats.

The extent to which hay is nitrogenous, is not only an indication of its
capacity for milk and meat production, but also gives some idea as to the
proper kind and amounts of bye fodder that should be fed with it. There
is here inserted, for purposes of comparison, a table giving the content of
total and digestible ingredients of various grades of German hays:

| a DIGESTIBLE
5 NUTRIENTS. :
4 &
‘ : ; ca
fo} o fo) Preto o
a a Base ie
K E adult = E @ 3
2 Ser iecrtin lt epee liars eke Fe) (eerie lash 5
Svea) = sos | = Peeetibe dl as
Fl¢4|/43])/h/6 | & || 4 |ot] & A
%|1 %| %\| %| | %\\ %\ % %
Mona GWINAVe OOS eves e = sels «16 14.3 | 5.0] 7.5 | 33.5 | 38.2] 1.5 || 3.4 34.9 | 0.5 || 1: 10.6
Do. eA T Pere diotacd ey oy! Wa tstfal/e? fo envi 14.3 | 5.4] 9.2 | 29.2 | 39.7| 2.0 4.6 36.4 | 0.6/| 1: 8.3
Do. VCO UATE Si Cts cities) ceiu's) arieh: « 14.3} 62] 9.7 | 26.3} 41.4] 2.5 5.4 41.0} 1.0]; 1: 8.0
Do. VOGY SOOG is siete se %\ Sees 15.0 | 7.0 | 11.7 | 21.9 | 41.6 | 2.8) 7.4 SUNG) LS veer
Do. CRA ia vou e irs been os Mews’ 16.0 | 7.7 | 13.5 | 19.3°) 40.4] 3.0 9.2 42.8) 1.5//1: 5.1

General Conclusions.

1. The hay cut at a late period of growth differs in composition from that
cut at an early period, mainly in accordance with the statements previously
made concerning other observations; the late cut hay containing less ni-
trogen, less ash and fats, and more crude fiber and other carbo-hydrates.

The effect of this change is to render the late cut hay much less nitro-
genous than early cut, and the digestibility is also less in the case of the
former.

2. In the ten samples of hay analyzed, an average of 26.16 per cent. of
the nitrogen was found to exist in the non-albuminoid form, and what was
to the writer a somewhat surprising result, is that the later cut, even the
‘nearly ripe ” grass, contained as large a percentage of the nitrogen in the

12

‘“ amide ” form as did that cut in the early stages of growth. (For remarks
on correctness of results, see “* Methods of Analysis.”) Other analysts have
reached essentially the same results.*

3. The effect of an abundant supply of plant food seems to have been
the increasing of the percentage of nitrogen very largely, and also of the
erude fiber to a limited extent. ‘The hay grown under conditions of fertil-
ity, took up more mineral matters also. The fertilizers caused a somewhat
larger percentage of nitrogen to exist in the amide form.

The largely increased percentage of albuminoids in the hay grown under
conditions of great fertility, show that a high state of cultivation effects
the production, not only of a greater quantity, but of a better quality of
hay.

4. So far as composition is any indication of value, the hay from early
cut grass is more valuable, pound for pound, than that from late cut grass.
(See * Experiments on Feeding.”) Notice that in No. 1 there is contained
in one hundred pounds of hay, nearly ten pounds of digestible protein,
accompanying each pound of which (digestible protein) is found the equiva-
lent of less than five pounds of digestible carbo-hydrates. In No.5, which
is from a sample of the same grass only cut much later, one hundred pounds
of hay would contain less than four pounds of digestible protein, but in
this case each pound of digestible protein is accompanied by nearly thirteen
pounds of digestible carbo-hydrates. Whatever may be demonstrated in
the*future as to the relative value of early and late cut hay, there is no sort
of doubt but that as foods, the two are very different. (See ‘“ Experiments
on Feeding.”) It seems doubtful if the effect of age upon the existence of
true albuminoids in grass, is a matter of so much importance as at first be-
lieved. Further investigation will decide.

Amount and Character of the Growth of Grass subsequent to the period of Bloom

It is not enough to know that a hundred pounds of hay made from early
cut grass is more valuable than the same weight of hay from grass that is
more mature. The question of the amount of yield must be considered,
for it is important to know whether the increase of dry material harvested,
would more than counter balance the decrease in quality, when grass is not
cut until quite a late, instead of at an earlier, period. The decision of the
question involves many difficulties, and a single experiment will only serve
to add a few facts to the many that are needed before we can reach certain
conclusions.

The experiments conducted at the Eastern and Central Farms, have been
mentioned previously. At each farm, a field of two acres of as pure, and
as nearly uniform timothy as could be selected, was accurately measured
off, and divided into eight equal plots. In each case alternate plots were
cut while in bloom, while the grass on the remaining plots stood until it
was quite ripe. The hay was weighed when put in the barn, and after lying
in the barn for some months, was re-weighed.

On the Central Farm the water content of the hay was determined at the
time of the second weighing. The analyses of the several hays are given
previously. With the data thus obtained, we are able to calculate the ap-
proximate increase of the dry substance of the hay, and we can also deter-
mine to what ingredients this increase, if any, is due:

*See Department of Agriculture report for 1880.

13
St
Hib
Hay CUTIN BLOOM. HAY CUT WHEN NEARLY RIPE.|| 02 eS
= js ay
a alte % q vet ie & 5 a [=|
34 eq = 54 fq = ASS
ae as 2 as me e eee,
Ce - By xy mop h
cs oF < ha i) 4 <
Time of cutting, ..--. June 22, | June30.]....-.- July 14. | July 13.
Weight of hay when put
in barn, . *3, 634 Ibs. | 5,000 tbs. | 4,317 Ibs. || 4 234 ibs. | 5,270 Ibs. | 4,752 Ibs. 435 Ibs.
Weight of hay when re- . .
weighed in winter, .| 2,807 tbs. ) 3,922 tbs. | 3,115 Ibs. || 3,390 Ibs. | 4,035 tbs. | 3,713 Ibs. 598 ibs.
Decrease in weight by ly-
ing in barn, 1,327 Ibs. | 1,078 Ibs. | 1,202 Ibs. 844 Ibs. | 1,235 tbs. | 1,039 tbs.
Per cent. of decrease in
weight by lying in barn, 36.51 pr ct. 21.56 pr ct. 29.04 pr ct.| 19.93 pr ct. 23.43 pr ct. 21.68 pr ct.
Amount of water — free 2
BAMA TAILCC:y Mig Sess aed ne 2,031 fbs. | 3,481 tbs. | 2,756 Tbs. || 2.966 tbs. | 3,581 Ibs. | 3,274 Ibs. 518 tbs.
Amount of ash, . @ i OLDS. 167 Ibs. | 184 3 tbs. || 109.1 ibs. 146 tbs. | 127.6 tbs. || — 8.7 tbs.
Amount of protein, . » | 168,7 Tos. 203 tbs. | 183.4 1b5. || 168 5 Ibs. 170 tb5. | 169 3 tbs. || —14.1 ibs.
Amount of albuminoids, | 119.6 fbs. | 150.4 Ibs. 135 Ibs. 124 Ibs. | 126 6 ibs. | 125.3 Ibs. |) — 9.7 Ibs.
Amount of amides, ; 44.1 tbs. | 52.6 tbs 48.4 ibs. 44.5 lbs. | 438.4 Ibs. 44 Ibs. || — 4.4 Ibs.
Amount of crude fiber, .| 749 tbs. 1,313 fbs. | 1,031 tbs. || 1,060 Ibs. | 1,274 tbs. | 1,167 Ibs. 136 Ibs.
Amount of extractive |
matters, her ...| 966 tbs. | 1,720 fbs. | 1,343 Ibs. || 1,558 Ibs. | 1,911 tbs. | 1,785 ibs. 391 Ibs.
mrmountof fat, 1. ss... 50 Ibs. | 79 tbs. , Sesibs. 70 ibs. 80 tbs. 75 ibs. 10 ibs.

* The figures in the table have reference to pounds per acre-

There is a seeming decrease of mineral matter and protein in the late
eut hay. This is tee probably to errors, or to lack of uniformity in the
fields of grass selected. At the same time the amount of decrease is not
too great to have resulted from loss or decay of the finer parts of the
plant, or from loss of seeds. It at least seems that there could have been
no very great increase of either nitrogenous or mineral substances, but
that the growth was almost entirely confined to the non-nitrogenous parts
of the plant, or the parts that, for the purposes of milk or flesh pro-
duction have least value. Moreover, unless future investigation proves
present methods of analysis to be faulty, the increased age of the grass did
not in these cases have the effect of converting non-albuminoid nitrogen
into albuminoid form.

Loss oF WATER FROM HAY AFTER STORING IN THE BARN.

It is often the case that farmers can dispose of hay by weight at the
time it is harvested. Hay usually is sold at lower rates when hauled di-
rectly from the field, than after it has been stored for some time. It is
doubtful, however, if the true difference in value is generally appreciated.

It may not be amiss to present a summary of such observations as are
at hand with reference to this point. While there would be more water in
hay some seasons than in others, the average of quite a number of trials
may serve as a pretty fair basis of estimation.

14
. = iS) Byes a &
a aS | S| eens
= 3 S ke Se ss
s 2 QD a 3 oO - 80
= Stage of growth. Le eel 2 2 23 Kind of grass.
Fy © ‘se om "sp = e
< g 32 2¢ oe a
a 3 Se ze 5 o-
> A z a a ite
Lbs Lbs. | Per ct
1879, | July 1,.| Beginning tobloom. .| 3,444 | Winter, .| 2,760 19.6 | Timothy.
1879, | July 11, .| Seed beganto mature, .| 4,263 | Winter, .| 3,538 17.0 | Timothy.
1880, | June 30, .| Headedout,...... 3,035 | Winter, .| 2,351 22.5 gir (some 4
clover. :
41880, | July 9,.| Fallbloom, ...... 3,585 | Winter, .| 2,673 25.4 Timothy.
1880, | July 19, .| Seedsforming, ....]| 4,555 | Winter, .| 38,386 25.6 | Timothy.
1880, | July 9,.| In bloom, ....... 3,470 | Winter, _| 2,324 33. Timothy. 9
1880, | July 19,.| Seedsforming, ....| 4,530 | Winter, ./ 2,928 35.8 | Timothy.
PESOS | RE Lagi) cw 0) Maiatis (0-0 6 sels *, @ 4,875 | Winter, .| 3,600 26.1 | Clover mostly.
BBO. sth eh ul ys iy) iis ca ce tw BU Je .| 4,825 | Winter, .| 3,707 22.9 | Clover mostly.
1879, | June 14, .| Timothy shooting. ‘Clo-
ver full head, .. . 800 | Dee. 31, . 680 15. | Timothy and clover.
1879, | June 19, .| Timothy, half blossom.
Clover not half dead, 800 | Dec. 31, . 632 21. | Timothy and clover.
1879, | June 24, .| Timothy, full blossom, |
Clover half dead, . . 800 | Dee. 31, . 530 | 33.8 | Timothy and clover.
1879, | June 30, .| Timothy outof blossom,
Clover nearly dead, . 800 | Dee. 31, . 704 | “12. | Timothy and clover.
——1881, | June 22,./ Inbloom, ....... 3,634 | Winter, . 2,307 36.5 | Timothy.
HSB, | wuly 14, . |) Nearly ripe,. ... . 4,234 | Winter, .| 3,390 19.9 | Timothy.
1881, | June 30,.| Inbloom, ...... 5,000 December 3, 922 21.6 | Timothy.
1881.) wnly 18, .'“Nearly ripe;. 9... . . 5,270 ' December’ 4,035 23.4 | Timothy.
<Average* loss by drying in barn, (17 trials,) ...... ac eel tel tpt 24,1

On the basis of the above figures, hay that could be sold for ten dollars,
when taken from the field, should bear a price of nearly twelve and one™
half dollars the following winter, provided no conditions had changed, save
the weight of the hay. We can, also, get some idea of the amount of water
in hay when housed. It is probably fair to assume that hay that has been
lying in the barn for some time contains about 12.5 per cent., or one eighth
its weight of water. If such hay is assumed to have lost 24 per cent. of
its w eight, since the time of storing, a little calculation shows that when

taken from the field, one third (about) its weight was water. Freshly-cured

hay is not generally stated to contain as much water, but other observations
have been made with small samples rather than by re-weighing large quan-
tities, and the latter method is the one more to be relied upon.

ENSILAGE.

The work undertaken on ensilage, the results of which are contained in
the following, was entered upon not to show that. corn fodder can be pre-
served in pits, nor to demonstrate that fodder thus treated is nutritious
and readily eaten, for these facts are acknowledged. The principal object
of the investigation was to ascertain the extent of the changes and loss
which the fodder suffers from the fermentation. It was, of course, deemed
desirable to obtain accurate data as to the cost and feeding value of the
fermented materials, but circumstances were such as to prevent reliable
results ae reached in these directions. It is hoped that the work of ;
another year can be made more comprehensive, so as to include all the
factors Shea ed in the question of profit.

Cultivation of the Crop. &
é

The corn was planted the me week in May, on land producing a small
crop of wheat the previous year. Manure was applied at the rate of about

* The first nine cases are taken from ‘‘Farm Experiments,” by Prot. J. W. Sanbor ,
and the next four from Pennsylvania State College Report 1879-80.

i --

a

15

eight cords per acre. One bushel of seed was planted per acre, the variety
being Southern White corn.

It was expected that the two acres of land planted would produce at
least thirty tons of green fodder, but owing to the exceptionally severe
drought the crop was considerably less than half that amount. The corn
received about the same cultivation as ordinary field corn.

Preservation of the Fodder by Ensilage.

In order to avoid the cost of an expensive silo, an old root cellar was
made to answer every purpose. The cellar was of masonry, cemented air
tight. As it was too large, a partition was thrown across midway, so that
the silo was really built of masonry on three sides. and of wood on the
fourth.

The fodder was cut into pieces about three quarters of an inch long, by
one of Hauck & Comstock’s fodder cutters,* smallest size, which was found
to do efficient work, cutting the fodder at the rate of thirty tons per day.
The chopped fodder was pushed through a trap-door in the barn floor into
the silo below, where it was tramped down by mules. After being thor-
oughly tramped down the compact. mass was covcred with a layer of straw
about eight inches deep, then two layers of boards, and upon the boards was
piled stone at the rate of half a ton to every square yard. The silo was
filled during the second week in September, and was not opened until De-
cember.

Character and Appearance of the Ensilage.

When the silo was opened, it was found that at the surfaces and sides
the fodder was blackened and somewhat decayed to the depth of a few
inches.

The remaining portion of the very compact material was darker in color
than when it was put in, had the characteristic odor and slightly acid taste
noticed in all ensilage, but, on the whole, seemed to be nicely preserved.
Nearly all of the animals to which it was offered, ate it at once quite
heartily.

The description of the practical details of constructing and filling the
silo are made brief, because they are matters about which any intelligent,
reading farmer need have no lack of reliable information; and, as before
stated, it is not the possibility of ensilage that needs discussion.

Character and Extent of the Changes that Occur in the Fodder During Ensilage.

No one has attempted to dispute the fact that fermentation takes place
in the silo to a greater or less extent, according to the manner of filling,
but which no amount of care can entirely prevent. Fermentation must re-
sult in certain changes in the composition of the fodder, which must affect
the nutritive value of the material fermented. The character of these
changes has been better understood than their extent.

‘While it has been well known that the alcoholic and lactic fermentations
must go on largely at the expense of the carbo-hydrates (sugar, starch, &e.,)
there has been no very definite knowledge as to the quantity of these in-
gredients thus destroyed, or the accompanying changes experienced by
other and more valuable compounds. With a view to obtaining more in-
formation on these points, the fodder that was packed in the silo was care-
fully weighed at the time it was cut, and several samples were also selected
for analysis in such a manner as to render it quite certain that the average
composition of the fodder at time of cutting would be correctly ascer-

* Purchased of Alexander & Co., Bellefonte, Pennsylvania.

bles
fae

et

16

tained. The ensilage as taken from the silo was also carefully weighed and
sampled. It should be stated that the sampling of the ensilage was such
as to exclude those portions on the surface and sides of the silo that were
much decayed, all the material that was taken for analysis being such as
was in the ordinary state of preservation.

TABLE I.
Green fodder. Ensilage.
Wonaliwolehigare. - is tet os ss ss ss 22,535 pounds. 19,116 pounds.
Water content, Pies eS ar i Be 71.58 per cent. 73.61 per cent.*
W eight of water-free substance, _.. 6,404 pounds. 5,045 pounds.
Per cent. of water-free substance lost, . 21.22 per cent.

The quantity of water-free substance calculated for the ensilage is un-
doubtedly too small, owing to the method of sampling referred to above.
The outer portions of the ensilage did not contain as much water probably
as those portions taken for analysis, which would cause an error in the
above method of estimating the water-free substance in the whole mass of
material. A more accurate way of ascertaining the real loss from the well-
preserved ensilage is based upon the fact that one part of the fodder would
not be affected in quantity at all by fermentation, viz: The ash or mineral
substances. The organic substances only would be decomposed and pass
off, so that one pound of ash would be found in less water-free substance in
the ensilage than in the corn fodder before fermentation.

The next table gives the composition of. the water-free substance in the
two cases.

TABLE II.
Green stalks. Ensilage.
iAGGD . BVSe5. oh ORGHaNOIS SAE Tare ok ee eee OPUS 5.51
IpTOREIN,, awe oe 6. Natitgts’ Joh eon eesti ask oie eet ae MOREE 7.18
Crude fiber, 2 Rs i as be IN aie eect 27 .43
Other carbo-hydrates, ..... peas Sa A Hee ero! 56.98
Hither'extract,t . ...%: 3... CE My Ath eos.) oe) LLaLSE!) 2.90

The preceding figures show that one hundred pounds of water-free sub-
stance in the fodder as taken from the field contained 5.04 pounds of min-
eral matters, while owing to a destruction of other material one hundred
pounds of dry material in the ensilage contained 5.51 pounds of ash. By
calculation we find that 91.47 pounds of water-free substance in the ensi-
lage contain the same quantity of ash as one hundred pounds of water-free
substance in the fodder before fermentation. In other words, the green
fodder lost in the silo 8.53 pounds out of every one hundred pounds of
water-free substance put in, or a loss of 8.53 per cent. of dry substance.
As 6,4'4 pounds of dry substance were put into the silo, the total loss of
water-free material would be 546 pounds. Practically the loss is more ow-
ing to the decay on the surface and sides, but the last estimate corresponds
more nearly to what is correct than do the figures given in Table I.

Now, upon what ingredients of the fodder does this loss fall ? Knowing
the percentage composition of the water-free substance in the two cases,
we can calculate the amount of each class of ingredients in 100 pounds of
dry substance in the corn as taken from the field, and in 91.47 pounds, as

* Water and other volatile substances.

} Fat, chlorophyl, &e.

{Since beginning to write out the results given here, I have received the Second
Annual Report of the New Jersey Experiment Station; also a bulletin giving results
accordant with those presented here, only the investigation was much more compre-

hensive. It was found at the New Jersey Station that 100 pounds of dry substance lost
in the silo 173 pounds.

17

found in the ensilage, the latter being what remained of each 100 pounds
put into the silo.

Tassie III.
Green stalks. Ensilage.
In 100 pounds of water- In 91.47 pounds of water-
free substance. free substance.

Pounds. Pounds.
Asis oo AVR oc een Cora eo ic ~5.04 5.05
TRIBES, Col ge eee Si cage UB maa ete ech Mur rae 6.54 6.57
PEROT ME Meal ets Mel cl yar sm iad Slee atid fs ee 24 .22 25 .09
Other carbo-hydrates, ........, 62.31 52.12

MIENGTAONDLAGK SM nus lee sia (ence @) 6% 06) 1.89 2 .65*
100.00 91.47

A glance at the above table shows that the loss has fallen entirely upon
the carbo-hydrates, about sixteen (16) per cent. of this class of compounds
having been used up during the process of fermentation.

The percentages of protein in the previous tables were obtained in the
usual way, by multiplying the total nitrogen by the factor 6.25. Nothing
is learned in this way as to the forms of-the nitrogen compounds, either in
the green fodder or in the ensilage. Determinations of albuminoid and
non-albuminoid nitrogen by Stutzer’s method, (see methods of analysis,)
gave the following results for water-free substance :

Green stalks. Ensilage.
EVO DIRT D NOPE take vey =) icles: cay oy gh er 1.047 per cent. 1.149 per cent.
FAUIDUMAINOIGMItTOpeEn, . . 2. « 6. -914 per cent. .567 per cent.
PANMICO? AITTOSON Ys sss os *, . 133 per cent. .082 per cent.
Per cent. of total nitrogen in the non-
AMOUMTMMOI TORN, Gece. are tests: % 12.70 50.66

The above figures are the averages of closely accordant parallel deter-
minations. Whileno conclusious should be drawn from them, they indicate
that there may possibly be a breaking up of albuminoid compounds, at the
same time that there is no actual loss of nitrogen. If such be the case the
nutritive value of the fodder would probably be affected.

There follows a table showing the composition of the green corn stalks,
and the same after undergoing changes in the silo:

: ) -

5 — a s

2 82 wit

ri p=] oC an)

+ a a Pa ae?)

s : 3 S a. AN

: z e Blues 3

5 < A, 5 ro) a
Green cialis): es a. ks Lbs 71.58 | 1.48 WRG aeesal Waza 0.54
ie ee el 73.61 1.45 1.90 | 7.24] 15.038 0.77

Results of Feeding the Ensilage.

All the ensilage was fed to a herd of milch cows. Owing to utter lack
of time no accurate data were obtained as to the results. It can be said,

* The ether extracted nearly six per cent. of material from the ensilage, only about
one half of which was found to be soluble in benzine, and the figures given in the ta-
bles for percent. of fat in the ensilage represent what was soluble in benzine. All the
ether extract from the fodder before fermentation was found to be soluble in benzine.

+ This result agrees with that arrived at by the New Jersey Experiment Station,
Viz: en there was no loss of nitrogen, crude fiber, or fat from the fermentation in
the silo.

18

however, that no marked benefit could be noted by any ordinary method of
observation. Previous to being fed on ensilage, the cows had been eating
all the dried corn-fodder (stover) they would consume in connection with
corn-meal and wheat bran. The amount of meal and bran fed was not
changed, and all the ensilage was given that the animals would take; but
in passing from one ration to the other there appeared to be no change
either way in the amount of milk produced. As the milk was sold daily
by the quart any marked decrease or increas? would have been noted,
especially as attention was directed to the matter. Neither is there any
good reason for thinking that the milk improved in quality because of the
ensilage. It is expected that more accurate observations will be made next
winter on the comparative value of corn-fodder dried in the field, and the
same preserved in a silo.*

General Remarks.

One thing is certain, viz: Nothing came out of the silo that was of value,
that did not go in, in an equally valuable form. It is quite absurd with
our present state of knowledge to claim that green corn-fodder increases in
value by being allowed to lie in a large mass and undergo a partial decom-
position. It may be safely aftirmed that to the extent that such decompo-
sition goes on with any cattle food, to that extent is its capacity decreased
for running or building up the animal machine. Careful investigation has
also shown that fermented fodder has not an increased digestibility over
unfermented, neither is there much reason why we should expect such a
result. The experience of many years shows that ensilage is not a necessity
for securing the healthfulness or vigor of animals, for a variety of food can
be obtained more cheaply in other ways. Then why all this excitement
over silos, and why call an ‘“ ensilage congress” any more than a “ cotton
seed meal” congress? Certainly the farmer who preserves grass in silos,
and so handles three tons of water several times in order to feed his cattle
one ton of dry substance, has lost his judgment, for grass can be cured to
perfection by the old-fashioned method.

And as for preserving green corn-fodder, the only peg the ensilage en-
thusiast has to hold to, is his ability to show that by the use of the silo
greater nutritive value is secured than by drying and ‘stacking the fodder.
In the careful investigation made at the New Jersey Experiment Station
the results did not differ materially with the two methods, save that the
expense must have been greater in the case of the ensilage.

The above is not meant for a general condemnation of ensilage,as it may
have its advantages for a certain class of farmers, but there seem to be no
good reasons why farmers should get excited over it, or expect from it any
remarkable results.

Methods of Analysis.

The analytical methods adopted in the execution of the analysis here-
with reported, are those in common use for the determination of the prox-
imate composition of plants. No attempt was made to determine anything
more than the amounts of each of the four general classes of organie in-
gredients, viz: albuminoids, amides, carbo-hydrates and fats, excepting
the usual estimation of crude fiber. Anything beyond this is of little use
with our present knowledge of digestion and nutrition.

L DeTERMINATION OF NITROGEN.—This was accomplished by the usual soda-
ime method, |} inary soda-li é i
thod, both ordinary soda-lime and Johnson’s being used. Some-

* It is but justice to say that such work had been plat i ivi
but ji tos s anned previo
report of the investigation at the New Jersey expan? Station. net

19

thing more than .5 of a gram of hay was usually ignited in a tube, from fif-
teen to eighteen inches long. The results with the two kinds of soda-lime
did not differ, only that it seemed to take a longer tube to secure complete
combustion with Johnson’s, than with the ordinary soda-lime. The stand-
ard solutions used were sulphuric acid and ammonia, cochineal being used
as an indicator.

DETERMINATION OF ALBUMINOID AND AMIDE NiTRoGEN.—Considerable in-
terest is attached to the method of analysis used here, more than in the
ease of other determinations where old, long tried, and accurate methods
are at hand. Soscanty,in fact,is our knowledge of the nitrogenous bodies
in grass, that more or less uncertainty accompanies any method of separa-
tion of amide from albuminoid nitrogen. A very common method of sep-
aration has been to extract the hay or other substance with boiling water,
generally made slightly acid with some organic acid, adding at last some
precipitant to throw down any albuminoids that might be in solution. The
amide nitrogen has been considered to be found wholly in the extract, and
the albuminoid nitrogen, in the residue. The precipitants used have been
acetate of lead, sulphate of copper, hydrate of copper, acetate of iron, car-
bolic acid, &e. Experiments made with: known compounds have shown the
results by the above general method to be reliable, when some of the pre-
ciptants at least were used.

Dr. Armsby, formerly of the Connecticut Experiment Station, made some
comparative determinations* which seem to show that no precipitant is ne-
cessary in the case of hays, but that simple extraction of water acidified
with lactic acid, effects complete separation of albuminoid and non-albu-
minoid compounds, or at least as complete as when a precipitant is used.
In the separation of albuminoid and non-albuminoid nitrogen in the first
six samples of hay analyzed, Dr. Armsby’s modification was adopted, but
as the results were unexpected, it was deemed wise in the analysis of the
remaining hays to make comparative determinations with some method in-
volving the use of a precipitant. This was done, using Stiitzer’s method,f
the precipitant being copper hydrate. The process followed, was to boil
the hay, (.5 of a gram about.) in water slightly acidified with lactic acid, for
three quarters of an hour, then add a suflicient amount of copper hydrate,{
boil a few minutes longer, and filter. This differs from Dr. Armsby’s
method, only in the addition of copper hydrate. The nitrogen was deter-
mined in the residue after washing with hot water, and drying. The ex-
tract was in all cases filtered through a very compact asbestos filter, with
the aid of a strong filter pump, and the filtrate obtained was always per-
fectly clear.

In igniting the extracted hay, both filter and hay were mixed with soda-
lime. By using ignited asbestos for the filters no correction of the results
was necessary. In order that but little asbestos should be used, the filter was
constructed by plugging the upper part of the neck of an ordinary funnel,
the asbestos being sustained by a plug of perforated cork. The filters
were usually not more than three quarters of an inch in depth. In remoy-
‘ing the hay from the funnel, the asbestos was pushed out by means of a
smail glass rod that could be inserted in the neck of the funnel, and any
material that adhered closely to the funnel was wiped off with a little moist-
ened asbestos. This method seemed to secure convenience and accuracy.

* See report of Connecticut Experiment Station, for 1879, p. 109.

+See Beiderman’s Central-blatt fiir Agr. Chem. Jahr. 9, Heft XII, S. 875. JTbid,
Jahr. 10, Heft II, S. 134.

} For preparation of copper hydrate, see last reference.

20

Parallel determinations were made in all cases. Comparative results ob-

tained with and without the use of copper hydrate are as follows : «
:
No.7 No. 8 No. 9. No. 10.
% lo %
SUV ARGENS fe ce velo sss guneabt Sara he «aves 10.27 10.00 9.53 9.46
; .81 673 ae
Wpbaliilérapen, = «tae wide Sas "3496 .838 |) .674 682 jaar 1.166 823
857 699
Albuminoid nitrogen :
© . 60 518 2 83 -595 =
Apnibpyemiethod cy woe. es Tee pee ere te Seed } aa 852 Bee .605
. 602 493 . 858 649
Raiecramathod 6 Mr aot. c ss pot 628 |} °3i7¢ -505 } “Seat °858 |} "p05 -687
Amide nitrogen :
Armsby smethod,...65 «sss 218 172 814 218
Stutzer’s method, ........ fh erie -210 177 - 308 186
Percent. total nitrogeninamideform:
Armsby’smethod,.......+.-..-. 25.94 25.19 26.93 26.51
Stutzer’s method, ... «sees oe 25.06 25,98 26.46 22.66

The results given are all that were obtained and are not selected. There
seems to be no doubt that with hays the use of a precipitant for the albu-
minoids is unnecessary. The average percentage of nitrogen in the amide
form was found to be only about one per cent. less when copper hydrate
was used than when it was not, and as .U1 per cent. error in the determina-
tion of the nitrogen would be enough to account for this difference, we may —
regard it as insignificant.

As to the absolute accuracy of either method we cannot speak with cer-
tainty. It seems more probable that the albuminoid nitrogen is less than
what these analyses show than that it is greater, for the reason that it
seems more likely that non-albuminoid nitrogenous compounds would re-
main in the extracted hay than that any albuminoids should remain in so-
lution.

FEEDING EXPERIMENTS.

Feeding trials have been made*with the early and late cut hay referred

to in previous pages, also with cotton seed and corn meal. At both the
Jastern and Central Farms, the animals fed have been fattening steers.
The trials were conducted with the utmost care, observing the methods and
precautions indicated below.

At each farm for each trial, four steers were selected, two being fed after
one method, and the other two after the method with wuich it was desired
to make comparison. The steers were selected so that in each lot of four,
one pair should be as nearly like the other pair in size, weigh‘, form, gen-
eral appearance and habit, as it was possible. The selection at the Central
Farm of eight steers, was out of a lot of twenty-five.

The rations that it was desired to test were weighed to the animals each
day, any material they did not eat being also weighed.

The weight of the steers was in no case recorded until the animals had
been eating their rations for one week. ‘lhe weighings were made weekly,
at the same hour in the day, always before taking water. In all things ex-
cept in what they ate, the steers were treated as nearly alike as possible.

Experiments in Feeding Early and Late Cut Hay.

As before stated, one lot of hay was cut while in bloom, and the other
lot when approaching ripeness. At the Eastern Farm the hay was chopped

21

before feeding for convenience in weighing, and was fed with a small quan-
tity of corn meal. After feeding two steers on early cut hay and two on
late cut for a period of four wees, the rations were changed about so that
those getting early cut hay during the first period of four weeks, got late
cut hay for an equally long period, and those getting late cut hay at first,
got early cut for the last period. Below are the results:

Tables showing results of Experiment at the Eastern Farm.

First Period, (28 days.)

Steers No. 1land2,* Steers No. 3 and 4,*
early cut hay. late cut hay.

Abe OLA HSSINMEIS Paty weld ueleetT-Ih a tcia ts datos! Dec. 22 Dee. 22.
Ware olfenGding a ewer ee AN tel A See Jan. 19. Jan. 19.
Weight of steers:!December.22, . 2... ..- 2,142 lbs. 2,150 Ibs.
Weicht of Steers Jiamuany 19F | so etc ieete sl ce 2,208 lbs. 2,158 lbs.
Rotaloainrinewelsht; so. won ese oe tale! telus 66 lbs. 8 lbs.
Total quantity of hay eaten,........ 883 .5 lbs 816 lbs.
Elaivs Cat@n sper Calyy f+ srs hay al ores ae Boek oharty ee tae 31.7 lbs 29.1 lbs.
Total quantity of corn mealeaten,........ 336 lbs 336 Lbs.
Wornemeadiccaten! pemday, =. 2. +s + «6s ee 12 lbs. 12 lbs.

Second Period, (28 days.)

Steers No. land 2, Steers No. 3 and 4,

late cut hay.

early cut hay.

IDEN RO Igoe MIMI. | iy yt cients ose avr edd oval is Jan. 26 Jan. 26.
ALOT MMOM CIN Sip Wr she will |) Ts Migs) ety oa ebelis, 6. oie Feb. 28 Feb. 238.
Weight of steers January 70 iyi cea 2 aa 2,230 lbs. 2,180 lbs.
Weight of steers February 23, Perkerre wa. sake een 2,356 lbs. 2,290 Ibs.
Rotalicamin weioht:) Pest e) she a) s So apa) Aol Mors! 110 lbs.
Worlvgjuantity OL hay, Catenyin «in... 6 ie ss 818 lbs 812.5 lbs.
ay eaiem per Gay, oe wns bw is ets 29.2 lbs 29 lbs.
Total quantity of corn meal Cabenyy. Ss aacen a es 336 lbs. 336 Lbs.
Corn meal eaten per day, See tha weeds te 12 lbs. 12 lbs.

The following is a summary of the two periods:

Early cut hay.

Late cut hay.

Mota guanitty of hay Caten, 3 6..< oo6 «2 0 ns 1,696 lbs. 1,634 lbs.
Hay eaten per day, (during 56 days, 5 Bar a en Sea 30.3 Lbs. 29 .2 lbs.
Total quantity corn mealeaten,......... 672 lbs 672 lbs.
Cornumealscaten per day, |x 2) si sss is ls 12 lbs. 12 lbs.
Moralvoamenne wee hts 6. Sas i! ws st ho ey ies 176 lbs 134 lbs.
Gano two: Steers per day, .°. 6.55 fs. 2.0. 3.14 lbs. 2.4 lbs.
Gainaperipound.on hay fed, 2 fs = 6 ae 104 lbs .082 lbs.

Relative value of each kind of hay as per experiment, is seen to be: Early cut: late
cut :: 100 : 79.

At the Central Farm, the steers were not fed at two periods, but the lots
of two steers each, were fed for a while on the same ration, in order to
ascertain the relative gain under similar conditions. so as to determine
whether any difference in gain of weight when fed om different rations
would be due to differences in the animals. The hay was not chopped, and
a smaller quantify of meal was fed than at the Hastern Farm.

* The quantities given in the tables refer to the amounts fed to two steers.

22 ;

Table Showing Result of Experiment at the Central Farm.
Steers No.1land2, Steers No. 2and3,

7 early cut hay. late cut hay.
Daisior berinnIne se. s. aeseepe es <=. 004s serie Ye) fo Dec. 1. Dec. 1.
MO SHeHOT ON CLIN Prmeegors Neer Bas os. 2's. bo Ue oie ce Feb. 25. Feb. 25.
Weight of steers, Decemberl, ........ *1,750 lbs. *1,630 Lbs.
Weight of steers, February 25,........4.-. 1,922 lbs. 1,702 Ibs.
Totalicain inmweiehtyeses 6 is seis tw Gl a ae 172 lbs. 72 lbs.
Total quantityjofihayeaten, . .. . » +. «» a. 2,924 lbs. 2,234 lbs.
Hay eaten per day, (for 86 days,) ........ 34 lbs. 26 lbs.
Total quantity of corn mealeaten,........ 602 lbs. 602 lbs.
Corn mes eatenspemday,.) ../5 5 os es leideek 7 lbs. 7 lbs.
Gain per pounwor hay ted... .b. 95 < «sens = = .059 lbs. .032 lbs.
Gain‘ofehwo Steers merday, .. ... 6... 5+: - 2 lbs. .84 lbs.

Relative value of each kind of hay as per experiment: Early cut : late cut :: 100 : 50.

The method of comparison here adopted is for the last experiment hardly
fair, because of the fact of a greater quantity of early cut hay being fed
than of late cut. It would be fairer perhaps to determine whether the ex-
cess of early cut hay fed is suflicient to account for the difference in gain,
or whether something must be allowed for a difference in the quality of the
two kinds of hay. The steers receiving early cut hay ate 690 pounds of
hay more than did the others, and gained 100 pounds more, a gain of one
pound for every 6.9 pounds of hay consumed. In other words, three
pounds of hay added to the daily ration of a single steer caused him to
gaint nearly one half pound per day more than he otherwise would have
done. It is possible that we need seek for no other explanation for the
better gain of steers Nos. 1 and 2. It is but fair to say, however, that
more early cut hay was consumed than of late cut, because of the greater
palatableness of the former. In both cases all the hay was consumed that
the steers would take. The steers have been sold for six and a half cents
per pound, giving a value of $6 50 to the 100 pounds excess of gain. This
would make the excess of hay fed worth $18 80 per ton. Certainly the
profits are greater from the early cut hay compared pound for pound with
the late cut, and for this the greater palatableness of the former may fairly
receive credit.

As to the question of a difference in the capacities for growth of the two
lots of animals, they were fed alike for a period of five weeks subsequent
to the feeding on the two kinds of hay, and steers 1 and 2 gained 143
pounds, and steers 3 and 4 gained 173 pounds, showing that if either lot
possessed a superior capacity for growth the advantage was with those fed
on late cut hay. Let it be remembered in regard to all these results that
they are the work of but a single year, and have value accordingly. So
far, however, as any value attaches to the outcome of the experiments, the
early cut hay has the advantage.

Experiments in Feeding Corm Meal and Cotton Seed Meal.

The farmers of Pennsylvania fatten annually a large number of cattle.
The principal food made use of for this purpose, beside coarse fodder, is
cornmeal. Some farmers feed the cornmeal nearly pure, others mix with
it considerable oatmeal, wheat bran to a limited extent, cotton seed and
linseed meal. Opinions differ as to what food or mixture of foods is wisest.
So far we have very little but opinion, if we except the experimental work
of the Germans.

Leaving the presentation of the scientific side of the question until later,
it can be said that one practical inquiry is of great importance, viz: Can

* The figures given refer to food and gain of two steers.

23

farmers profitably purchase the highly nitrogenous cattle foods that are for
sale in our markets in order to combine them with the corn and coarse fodder
produced on the farm? Theories based on scientific investigation would
answer the inquiry in the affirmative, so far as it is a question of proper
combination of food ingredients, and so of an economical use of the ma-
terial consumed. Of course the variable relative prices of these various
food stuffs is something of which science can take no account, and the
farmer must decide, from year to year, what he can or cannot afford to
purchase. The great underlying principles in all practice in cattle feeding
are those that determine the proper amounts and relation of nutrients in
the ration, and these principles once understood it only remains for the
uaa to purchase or produce these nutrients in the cheapest possible
orm.

As in the case of early and late-cut hay, experiments have been con-
ducted at both the Eastern and Central Experimental Farms. The num-
ber of steers fed, and the precautions in feeding and weighing were the
same as in the experiments on hay. A ration of corn meal and cornfodder
has in each case been compared with one composed of corn meal, cotton
seed meal, and cornfodder. In the latter ration the corn meal and cotton
seed meal were mixed in the proportion of one hundred pounds of the
former to forty pounds of the latter.

The results of the experiment at the Eastern Farm are as follows :

Tables Showing Results of Experiment at the Eastern Farm on Feeding Fattening
Steers.

First Period, (55 days.)

Steers 5and 6,
Corn meal alone.

Steers 7 and 8,
Mixture of corn meal
and cotton seed.

IDO laeeNbaTWNE SG Go geo oe oe. o December 15 December 15
IPALOROt ONGIN Ge hr ac) cee este he os February 9 February 9
Weight of steers, December 15,.... . 2,110 ibs.* 2,110 ibs.*
Weight of steers, February OH ro. Sia a sat vs 2,220 ibs. 2,336 tbs.
Total gain in weight, . ce 110 tbs. 226 tbs.
Total quantity of cornfodder eaten, eae 674 ths. 833 Ibs.
Cornfodder eaten perday, ....... 12.3 tbs. 15.1 ibs.
Total quantity cornmeal eaten,. .... 1,660 tbs. 1,078 tbs.
Corn meal eaten per day,........ 30.2 tbs. 19.6 tbs.
Total quantity cotton seed meal eaten, . 431 tbs.
Cotton seed meal eaten per day, .... 7.8 Ibs.

Second Period, (42 days.)

Steers 5 and 6. Steers 7 and 8.
Mixture of corn meal Corn meal alone.
and cotton seed.

Dateot DerINMING | 50. « «6. se + Feb. 16. Feb. 16.
WI AOKOMON CIM wre ihe eel col be) aeel ee: March 30. March 30.
Weight of steers Toe US Gh nate oe Se 2,254 pounds. 2,368 pounds.
Weight of steers March 30, ....... 2,404 pounds. 1,510 pounds.
Total gain in weight, ..... ... 120 pounds. 152 pounds.
Total quantity of cornfodder eaten, sen SO pounds. 524 pounds.
Cornfodder eaten perday, ....... 10 pounds. 12.5 pounds.
Total quantity of corn mealeaten, ... 830 pounds. 1,245 pounds.
Corn meal eaten perday,..... ‘, .. 19.8 pounds. 29.7 pounds.
Total quantity cotton seed eaten, .... 333 pounds.
Cotton seed eaten perday, ....... 7.9 pounds.

A summary of the two periods shows the results to be as follows:

* All the weights given in these tables refer to two steers.

24

Mixture of corn meal
and cotton seed.
1,252 pounds.
13 pounds.

Corn meal alone.

Total quantity cornfodder eaten,

Ae An 1,198 pounds.
Cornfodder eaten per day, (97 days, )

12.3 pounds.

Total quantity corn mealeaten,..... 2,905 pounds. 1,908 pounds.
Corn meal eaten per day,..... wee 30 pounds. 19.7 pounds.
Total quantity cotton seed eaten, cif piste ech veers 764 pounds.
Cotton'secuieatomiperdayse -. 00% 6. eh we ta ee 7.9 pounds.
Potalicainimiweight fief. 6 fle 262 pounds. 376 pounds.
Most OffOO Meee Memes! ate ys i ates a $46 57 $47 04

Cost of food’ per pound of i increase, 17.7 cents. 12.5 cents.

The superintendent of the Eastern Farm states in his report that steers
five and six were inferior in growing capacity to steers seven and eight.
During the “ first period,” when the former lot was fed on the corn meal
ration, their gain was very unsatisfactory, and much inferior to the gain of
steers seven and eight that ate the mixture containing cotton seed. When,
however, the rations were changed about so that the poorer steers received
the cotton seed and corn meal, their increase in weight was equal to that
of the better lot of steers that was given pure corn meal.

The next table shows the results of the experiment at the Central Farm.

Table Showing Results of Experiment at Central Farm in Feeding Fattening

Steers.
Steers No. 5 and 6, Steers No. 7 and 8,
corn mealalone. mixtureof corn meal
. and cottom seed.
IDETETOL ADC PINNING eet nots ner a st nee ra ne Jan. 7. Jan. 7.
Daterotsendino sy Tis aes esis she April 1.

Weight of steers, January UO cote ot ac ot b 1,939 lbs.
Weight of steers, Jy ey Ub Fig Saree hee Ct oeoien 2,010 lbs. 2,200 Ibs.
Motalcammnweieht, 05 ee | rte ue ese 175 lbs. 261 Ibs.
Total quantity of “cornfodder eaten, 840 lbs. 1,436 lbs.
Cornfodder eaten per day, (84 days, ) ; 10 lbs. 17 lbs.
Total quantity of corn inealtesiony.. csss..'s 2.626 lbs. 1,344 lbs.
Corn meal eaten perday, ...... Saree 31.3 lbs. 16 lbs.
Total quantity of cotton seed eaten,........ odes 672 lbs.
Cotton seed eaten per day,........ PP eA: er Ae 8 lbs.
Chosinrore itcvoye be Soe ee SA ts eile se $43 37 $38 15
Ost OlmAniOMApON GAY, \ic:6 seit es «theres de os, uc 0 525 0 45,8

In this case the rations were not changed about, so as to give the mix-
ture of corn meal and cotton seed to Nos. 5 and 6. But in order to deter-
mine the amount of error introduced by the different capacities for crowth
of the two lots of animals, the steers were fed alike for four weeks previous
to beginning the experimental rations. Steers Nos. 5 and 6, gained 135
pounds during the four weeks, and steers Nos. 7 and 8, gained 194 pounds,
or the two lots gained in the ratio of 100 to 144. While the experimental
rations were fed, the gain of steers 5 and 6, was to the gain of steers 7 and
8,as 100 to 149. Or the relative gain of the two lots was the same when
fed alike, and when fed the rations that were put to a comparative test.
Now one lot ate about 32 pounds of corn meal per day, and the other lot
only 16 pounds of corn meal,and 8 pounds of cotton seed ; that is, ] pound
of cotton seed when combined with the other foods was able to replace 2
pounds of corn meal.

The superintendents of both farms report themselves as favorably im-
pressed by the practical results of adding cotton seed meal to the ration
of the steers that were being fattened. Lvuoked at from the stand- -point of
profit, the outcome with the particular animals fed, and with relative prices
as they are at present, was favorable to the use of the cotton seed.

* In estimating the cost of the food, the fodder is valued at $5 per ton, the meal at one
and one half cents per pound, and the cotton seed at $40 per ton.

25
The Scientific Side of Cattle Feeding.

To show that with the particular circumstances and conditions involved
in the experiments here reported, one method of feeding was productive of
more satisfactory results than another, would amount to very little. Like

circumstances and conditions may never occur again at the college farms
or elsewhere. The relative supply of cattle foods and their relative prices
change from year to year.

To establish a fact with regard to the laws of animal nutrition, or some
principle involved in all practice, would be to secure a lasting benefit. We
need not so much to know that under certain conditions of practice certain
results follow as to know the reasons why, or the principles involved. For
instance, granting that a m xture of corn meal and cotton seed as fed in
these experiments produced as much growth as a larger amount of pure
corn meal, this may not be true simply because cotton seed and corn
meal were fed together, but because the mixture furnished a more efticient
combination of. food ingredients than was the case with corn meal alone.
It may be a question of the economical use by the animal organism of cer-
tain quantities of protein and carbo-hydrates mixed in certain proportions
rather than of cattle foods having certain names. If this be true, then we
are not shut up to corn meal and cotton seed as the only means of securing
the desirable combination, but can use any cattle foods that will furnish
the ingredients we desire in the proper quantities and proportions. It
must be remembered that protein, for instance, is a constituent of all cattle
foods, and that it may be of more importance that we give an animal a
certain quantity of it in a digestible form accompanied by proper amounts
of other compounds, than that we supply it in any particular kind of food,
whether it be hay, corn meal, wheat bran, or cotton seed. From the data
given on previous pages, let us see what were the real differences between
the rations fed in the experiments reported.

Composition of the Various Food Stuffs used.

The composition of the hays fed can be seen on previous pages. The
composition of the corn fodder, corn meal, and cotton seed, can be safely
assumed from the average of a number of analyses of these food stuffs.
No analyses were made of the particular samples used, because of entire
lack of time.

x ans
d 2 28
: = a Ss
5 3 ee (Wisiaeees Ne
s 4 to) 5 ah | 2
ay i=] =
= < A s) } Fa
% % % % % %
Corn fodder, (stover,)*.-:- :..... 15 4.2 3 40 36.7 1
Corn meal, (Dentcorn,)av. 19analyses 11.13 1.48 | 10.49 1.86 | 70.20] 4.84
Cotton seed meal,t decorticated, av.
SRAIUUVSES ss Heke! Ch eerie es Sole lel or he 7.70 7.04 | 42.79 6.36 | 19.76 | 16.35

The above table shows, that if a hundred pounds of cotton seed be fed
to an animal, there would be given 42.79 pounds of protein. Not all of
this protein could be used, as only a certain percentage of it would be di-
gested. A cattle food is valuable, not because of what it contains, but be-

* From Mentzel u. Lengerke’s landw. Kalender, 1882.
+ The sample fed was a fine one, procured from Alexander & Co., Bellefonte, Pa.

26

cause of what can be digested from it. Very careful and elaborate inves-
tigation has shown that, with the exception of roots, no ingredient of any
cattle food is ever completely digested. Moreover, by a large amount of
experimenting, it has been ascertained what are the approximate percentages
of the constituents of the various foods that are digested, these digestion
coeflicients varying with the kind and quality of the fodder. The following
table shows those applying to corn fodder, corn meal, and cotton seed :

ra $

; = 2

5 2 .a oe

+2 { n

g E ap | s

Ay o (o) Fy
OTNMONCOT Brel. ba) nets tis. les bose ber a he eho ST Pe. eee apes eer Ae 30
Wore Al ers. cieluee ale) oy Siow Chien s fietie Ne 79 62 91 85
Cotton seed meal, (decorticated,){....... 85: 7) tinwadeecn 95 88

By multiplying the total quantities of the several ingredients of the cat-
tle foods, with which we are dealing, by the percentages given in the last
table, we get the following results for the percentages of digestible nutrients.
The figures previously given for the hay, are brought forward for the sake
of convenience.

3 ; In 100 PARTS DRY SUBSTANCE
re THERE ARE DIGESTED OF
3
a
b
S) : lanes
¢ a ag
§ re as a
S EB go S
4 Ay oS cr
AU COTANBLOLGLON «Wee memtten a) fo: Mel valeta acy certs ey esse te)sho)) wo! urs 1.1 §37 3
IVOTMIBTILGA tape oe NB ee See\tactnts cheek costes cok. Selene 8.33 65 4.11
(Cray qsoval SGyeyalti caver NRIs Be eaieo. Go rgeo) Galo toed soot 36 .37 18.77 14.38
OMIMIIIMIOUINV RG ce ae (oie. pis Geese: Gruen 6) Senses 3.95 44 62 1.04
MOR RaIMOUy Ay. sau «) . Neteme Swe: 6 ne lel ie eae 2.58 45 .86 1.02
TMPORUITIOUELY ALAV ARE = \cthe. ys 0. vs AePNeniety. ee none! TAL Veale, ae 2.86 46 .02 -96
Sa RaMNGENY AY, 0. css) «© he 4 Ean OF ty Seine 2.16 46 .23 .97

* The digestion coefficient of the ‘‘ crude fiber’’ and ‘‘ other carbo-hydrates”’ are not
given, for it has been found that in coarse fodder, what is digested out of both of these
is about equal to the total quantity of carbo-hydrates, excluding the crude fiber, or
what is given in the table as ‘‘ other carbo-hydrates.”’

} From averages given in Armsby’s Manual of cattle feeding.

+ From Biederman’s Centralblatt Jahr. 10, page 32. ;

§ The figures in this column equal the sum of the digestible crude fiber and other
carbo-hydrates.

27

We are now prepared to calculate the quantities of digestible nutrients
actually consumed by the steers when fed on the experimental rations.

Early and Late Cut Hay.

B DIGESTIBLE.
at n~
s g s
KIND AND QUANTITY OF RATION FED A 4 - 3S =
SINGLE ANIMAL. ee B 3 ; a
n
= a a8 a 5
= 0) [o) P=) B=
§ S fa = s
= ay & cs Z
Eastern Farm.
1 waned cut hay, (No.9,) ... .15.2 tbs. | 13.3 .60 6.78 | .16
er COLI TIGAl,, ishty cts, siiemernel et te 6 ibs. 5.34 .50 3.9 25
Meniy inet eae A gh. 18.64 || 1.10| 10.68| .41|| 1:10.6
2 Late cut hay, (No.10,) ... . 14.6 ibs. 12.8 38 6.70 15
PRC OEMMINICAL ye fee cede aes ee 6 Ibs. 5.34 .50 3.9 .25
PROUalee misunt persis hds.ceh ate ee cee 18.14 .88 0.6 .40 tse
Central Farm.
3 Early cut hay, (No.7,) ... .17 ibs. 14.9 .49 7.82 16
eC@ormmeals 260.4. sho swede <= % 3.5 tbs. Sell .29 2.27 15,
ENO ae Osama. ta alight oak G 18.01 .78 | 10.09 sol 1B 118348)
a Late cut hay, Co. 2) Stars cody aieish 11.4 .28 6.00 | .13
Cornmeal, oi. . A romse Geer rains! olan .29 2.27 15
Motaltyen. eee ee, EEE) eT 14.51 57 8.27 28 1:15.8

28

Corn Meal and Cotton Seed Meal.
— EE }

‘e DIGESTIBLE .
oO = .
3 fe "
Ss wv :
| D 1 s }
KIND AND QUANTITY OF RATION FED A ee £ >be es
SINGLE ANIMAL. Le a ie a >
= @. 1) ee. | 8 =
g 3 oh aay ge =
g alle. | eae
=
Eastern Farm.
5.) Gornfodder,......... 6.2 tbs., 5.27 07 2.29 | .02
SC OrnemMeals)'., sets hs.<s wee 15 tbs.,| 18.34 || 1.25 9.75 | .62
Motalses yc. Gi wel >. «cs cote.) 248,59 || 082) 0) pee ee ee
(Glevcauvoys ts ere) mee =o eRe 6.5 tbs., 5.52 .072 2.40 .02
Ga Ormemenlant. «. sites seis 9.9 ibs., 8.80 72 6.44 Al
Cotton seed meal, ...... 4 tbs., 3 60 1.46 75 .58
Peles. Se CEOS Er. We Sea ee 18.01 || 2.25 9.59 | 1.01 1: 5.4
Central Farm.
weCorniodder, 3. ; . ius? . 5 ths. | 4.25 06 1.85) 1
PS MConniioals hr... keane 15.7 tbs., | 14.0 1.31 10.2 64
bial hoch ey entrees, tea nw 18.25 || 1.87 | 12.05 | .66 || 1:10.
Gomitoddere «3 i by dosha: 8:5. Ihs., | 27:03 || 09) aktay Phos
Sa OGenemeal were nin iets «te 8 ibs., oul .67 5.20 03
Cotton seed meal, ...... 4 Ibs., 3.69 1.46 0.75 .58
Tier aie A a 17.88 || 2.22 | 9.09| .94/| 1: 5.1

In another table let us place together the total quantities of digestible
nutrients fed per day and per animal to each of the eight lots of steers, as
shown in the two previous tables; also the nutritive ratios and the gain
per day, so that we may discover, if possible, what the relation is between
gain and food.

S DIGESTIBLE. 3 =

S eh S

| 2 e

b oa ' a © 5

Mere es a a Oo és

3 |ca|&e8el|ae] & =

S Ay Or le w

A a Z 6

é Lbs. | Lbs.| Lbs. | Lbs. Lbs.
1. Ration containing early cut hay, . . 18.64 | 1.10 10.68 -41 | 1:10.6 1.57
2. Ration containing late cut hay, . . 18.14 .88 10.60 40 | 1:13.2 1.20
3. Ration containing early cut hay, . 18.01 ahd 10.09 31 | 1:13.9 1.0
4. Ration containing late cut hay, ....| 14.51 57 8.27 -28 | 1:15.8 | 0.42
5. Corn eS without cotton seed,. .. . 18.59 | 1.32 12.04 64 | 1:10.3 1.35
6. Corn meal with cotton seed, ..... 18.01 | 2.25 92598) COL Saito: 1.95
7. Corn meal without cotton seed,. ... 18.25 | 1.37 12.05 -660)) 2:10 1.04
8. Corn meal with cotton seed, ..... 17.83 | 2.22 9.09 94; 1: 5.1 1.55
The German standard, per 1,000 pounds
REVO WOU MT ia tayesrhs) isivicetes tice, char arte 26.0 | 2.5 15.0 0.50 | 1: 6.5

* These figures refer to the gain of single animals weighing throughout the experi-
ments an average of about a thousand pounds, the first two lots weighing a little less,
and the last two a little more.

29

One main and important difference to be noted in the above rations, is
the relation between the quantity of digestible protein, and of the digesti-
ble carbo-hydrates. It is seen that in rations six and eight, there is only
the equivalent of a little over five pounds of digestible carbo-hydrates to
each pound of digestible protein, while in rations two, three, and four, the
ratio is very different, the digestible carbo-hydrates being present in nearly
three times as large a relative quantity. Not only the relative but the ab-
solute quantities of digestible nutrients differ very much in the various
methods of feeding in the experiments, in one ration there being only about
0.6 pounds of digestible protein, and in others as much as 2.25 pounds.
The variations in the amounts of digestible carbo-hydrates are very much
less. It remains for future investigation to determine whether the increase
in gain, that in these experiments has accompanied an increase of nitro-
genous material in the food, is accidental or not. All present well-sub-
stantied theories indicate that production, whether of meat, milk, or work,
is largely dependent upon the so-called protein of the food, and that the
relation in amount of this protein to the amount of other nutrients deter-
mines largely the profits of feeding. The position taken is, that if too lit-
tle nitrogenous material is contained in the combination of food stuffs used,
it would be necessary to feed more than the animals could possibly consume
in order to furnish sufficient protein to do the desired work, while if the
ration be too highly nitrogenous, a waste of material occurs, and the ani-
mal fails to use the nutrients given for the purposes of growth or produc-
tion of milk. In the rations discussed here there is in no case, probably,
an excess of protein, while in some cases it seems as if there was a defi-
ciency.

We believe that the question of the use of the nitrogenous waste pro-
ducts, offered for sale in our markets,is one of great importance. It would
be well for farmers to consider whether they cannot often realize a greater
profit by purchasing these and selling the products of the farm, than by
feeding the latter.

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