EXPERIMENT STATION REPORT. 217 



stances (carbo-hydrates) and mineral matter, is still recog- 

 nized in the general arrangement of the analytical results of 

 the examination. As more recent investigations have shown 

 a superior physiological value of the fat,* — one of the non- 

 nitrogenous constituents, — as compared with starch, sugar, 

 and other representatives of that group, its amount is sepa- 

 rately recorded. The same course, for similar reasons, has 

 been of late adopted with reference to certain soluble forms 

 of nitroijenous organic constituents of fodder articles. 



In the subsequent analytical statements of examinations 

 carried on at the Station, crude fat refers to the non-volatile 

 residue of the ether abstract of the dried material ; and crude 

 protein refers to the nitrogen obtained by the soda lime test, 

 multiplied by 6.25. The substances were in every case 

 reduced to a uniform size, by passing them through a metal 

 sieve, 144 mesh to the square inch. 



The general course of analysis was the customary one, 

 introduced by Henneberg and Stohman. Each analysis, as 

 far as possible, is accompanied with a statement of the ratio 

 of digestibility of the various groups of fodder constituents, 

 ascertained in some well-conducted feeding experiments. 



Records of this kind cannot fail to assist in forming a 

 more intelligent opinion regarding the real nutritive portion 

 of the fodder we feed. 



* See, for details, " Influence of Chemistry on a Rational System of Stock 

 Feeding," in the Thirtieth Annual Report of the Massachusetts State Board of 

 Agriculture (1882-83), pages 89 to 125. 



