166 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



1-2 EDWARD VII., A. 1902 



The Albuminoid and Non-albuminoid Nitrogen. — The percentage of albuminoid 

 nitrogen (which, as we have said, has the greater feeding value) appears to remain 

 fairly constant in the dry matter throughout the period of storage, though in the case 

 of two of the roots, Giant Yellow Globe mangel, and Improved Short White carrot, 

 there had been a notable decrease, due probably, in part at least, to the breaking down 

 of the albuminoids. Since, as we have seen* the percentage of total nitrogen (calcu- 

 lated on the dry matter) in the majority of the examples increased somewhat during 

 storage, it necessarily follows that the percentage of non-albuminoid nitrogen has 

 slightly increased. This is the case in each class of roots, as will be observed by re- 

 ference to table II. It is perhaps the most noticeable fact brought out by this investi- 

 gation. 



Table III. — Ratio of Albuminoid to Non-albuminoid Nitrogen in Roots. 



The non-albuminoid nitrogen includes that present in amides and other com- 

 pounds of inferior feeding value. We may, therefore, assume that provided the percent- 

 age of total nitrogen in the dry matter does not decrease, then the feeding properties of 

 that dry matter, as far as nitrogenous compounds are concerned, will depend upon the 

 relative proportion of the albuminoid to the non-albuminoid nitrogen. In table III. we 

 have given this ratio (calculated from the data of table II.), which, it will be observed, 

 in all the roots save the sugar beets increases markedly during the storage period. 



From the foregoing statements and data we may infer (1) that nitrates, resulting 

 more particularly from high manuring with soluble nitrogenous fertilizers, and which 

 are more or less injurious to the animal, tend to disappear on storage of the roots ; (2) 

 that there is a tendency to fermentative changes during storage that lead chiefly to the 

 destruction of the sugar — the most important nutrient of roots. This deterioration 

 may no doubt in a large measure be controlled by low temperature and good ventila- 

 tion ; under such conditions, we imagine the loss does not assume in our winter cli- 

 mate any grave proportions. It would no doubt be found to increase markedly after 

 March. Further, (3), that the non-albuminoid nitrogenous componds increase, as a 

 rule, with storage and especially so during the spring months. 



It is possible, as pointed out by Miller, that the digestibility of the roots may 

 slightly increase with storage — but this at best can only be a small gain — and, there- 

 fore, apart from the question of nitrates, there is no considerable improvement in 

 the quality of roots by storage, as thought by some, but rather a tendency to loss, as 

 evidenced by destruction of the sugar and the formation of non-albuminoid compounds. 



