24 



This does not mean that crude fiber, one of the important constitu- 

 ents of coarse fodder, is not required, but rather that a sufficient 

 amount of crude fiber was supplied by the hay and oats in the cases 

 cited by the author. As part of a series comprising some fifteen 

 experiments carried on at the Maryland Station," an attempt was made 

 to feed the horses on oats alone. At the beginning- of the trial one 

 horse consumed 6,000 grams (13.2 pounds) and the other 6,750 grams 

 (14.9 pounds) of oats per day, but after a few days refused to eat. The 

 experiment could not be continued long enough to permit the determi- 

 nation of the coefficients of digestibility. Under the experimental 

 conditions it was regarded as impossible to maintain horses on a grain 

 ration alone; it seemed certain that they required some coarse fodder 

 in addition. From such experiments the general deduction is obvious 

 that the common practice of feeding horses on a ration of grain and 

 coarse fodder is reasonable and based on the actual physiological 

 requirements of the animal. 



A number of feeding experiments have been made on the compara- 

 tive value for horses of different forage crops, fresh and cured. The 

 American experiment stations have studied the more important coarse 

 fodders in use in this country. A summary of their work follows. 



D. O. Nourse* of the Virginia Station reported a number of trials 

 of the value of corn silage for horses and mules. Gradually increas- 

 ing amounts were fed until they were given all the silage they could 

 eat, with hay and grain in addition. Provided animals are gradually 

 accustomed to it, as shown by these tests, silage is a satisfactory feed 

 for horses and mules. 



In tests carried on by J. H. Shepperd'' at the North Dakota Station 

 oat straw and prairie hay were compared. Oat straw was found to be 

 a cheaper horse fodder than hay, but when it was used mo re' careful 

 feeding was necessary to keep the horses in good condition. In a 

 subsequent test '^ l>rome grass hay gave as good results when fed to 

 work horses as timothy hay. 



In a study of different grain mixtures for work horses, carried on 

 at the New Hampshire Station,^ the relative merits of timothy hay 

 and corn stover were also studied. The rations consisted of 12 pounds 

 of hay and corn stover alone or mixed, fed with 14 pounds of mixed 

 grain. During the test, which covered nearly three months, the two 

 sorts of coarse fodder were found equally satisfactory. Although the 

 corn stover cost only one-third as nmch as the timothy hay, the con- 

 clusion was drawn that it has a feeding value equal to timothy hay fed 

 with suitable mixtures of either corn and oats or corn and bran, and 

 that when corn stover or timothy hay supplied the coarse fodder in a 



"Maryland Station Bui. 51. '?North Dakota Station Bui. 45. 



6 Virginia Station Bui. 80. ^New Hampshire Station Bui. 82. 



c North Dakota Station Bui. 20. 



