570 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



After the fourteenth day the feces became physically abnormal, and it was 

 evident tliat the animal could not maintain its nitrogen equilibrium with cholla 

 fruit alone, but regained both strength and flesh when again given alfalfa. 



Attempts were made to repeat the experiment, using pads of prickly pear 

 {Opuntia discata), which v/ere singed and cut into small squares, but the slieep 

 refused to touch them. This experience is in accord with the observations of 

 shepherds, which show that sheep eat greedily the fruits of cactus but never 

 take the stems. In the case of cattle the joints, as well as the fruit, can be 

 utilized. 



The coefficients of digestibility of the water-grass hay used in the ration were 

 as follows : Dry matter 47.36, protein 50.0S, ether extract 27.39, carbohydrates 

 45.81, crude fiber 57.51, and ash 32.87 per cent. The coefficients of the cholla 

 fruit were dry matter G0.75. protein 49.8, ether extract 74.1.5, carbohydrates 

 76.09, crude fiber 12.79, and ash 40.12 per cent. The analysis of water-grass hay 

 was as follows : Dry matter 94.2, protein 7.56, ether extract 1.09, carbohydrates 

 36.41, crude fiber 31.18, and ash 17.96 per cent. The analysis of cholla fruit 

 showed dry matter 21.11, protein 1.15, ether extract 0.87, carbohydrates 13.2, 

 crude fiber 2.91, and ash 2.98 per cent. 



"As a i-ation for maintaining sheep in a fair state of nutrition, cholla fruit 

 alone would be required in amounts far in excess of the animals' capacity. At 

 least 45 lbs. daily of the fresh fruit would have to be consumed. This would 

 produce 10 lbs. or more of feces of normal consistency if scouring did not occur. 

 The mineral constituents that would be absorbed from the intestine and require 

 elimination by the kidneys would be excessive. Cholla fruit alone seems in- 

 adequate as a ration for maintaining the nitrogen equilibrium and, conse- 

 quently, life, over any considerable period. However, with the aid of ^ to f lb. 

 alfalfa hay, 6 or more pounds of cholla fruit daily would probably not only pre- 

 serve life in a sheep of 120 lb.s. shorn live weight for an indefinite time, but allow 

 some gain. Similar results with quantities increasetl in proportion to live 

 weight may be auticip.ited for range cattle. This would require 4 to 6 lbs. of 

 alfalfa, or its equivalent in concentrates, and 50 or more pounds of cholla fruit 

 per head per day." 



Feeding experiments with eosin barley, Gerlach {Mitt. Kaiser Wilhelms 

 In.st. Laiuhc. Brombcrg, // {1912), No. Jf, pp. 37//-SS7).— Barley, when stained 

 with eosin as required by law, when fed to swine did not affect unfavorably- 

 either fhe live animals or the quality of the meat. The iodin number and the 

 melting point of the fat remained unchanged. 



Analyses of feeding stuffs, II. B. McDonnell et al. {Md. Agr. Col. Quart., 

 1912, Xn. '>6, pp. .'/-7). — Analyses are reported of linseed cake, cotton-seed meal, 

 meat menl, beef scrap, dried beet pulp, dried brewers' grains, gluten meal, malt 

 sprouts, molasses feed, and mixed feeds. 



Commercial feeding- stuffs of Pennsylvania in 1911, J. W. Kellogg •( Penn. 

 Dept. Agr. Bui. 2.23, 1912, pp. 111). — Analyses are reported of cotton-seed meal, 

 linseed meal, corn-oil meal, distillers' grains, brewers' grains, malt sprouts, 

 gluten feed, hominy feed, coi-n bran, corn flour, wheat offals, low-grade flour, 

 rye offals, buckwheat offals, alfalfa meal, beet pulp, maize by-products, molasses 

 feed, beef scrap, and proprietary mixed feeds. 



Analyses of feeding stuffs {Jahresber. Landw. Vers. Stat. Harlcshausen, 

 1911-12, pp. 15-23). — Analyses are reported of cotton-seed meal, peanut cake, 

 sesame cake, rape cake, linseed cake, palm cake, coconut cake, soy-bean meal, 

 susza cake, ajowan bran, wheat bran, rye bran, ground barley, barley bran, 

 ground oats, rice meal, dried distillers' grains, brewers' grains, malt germ, 

 molasses feed, sugar-beet chips, maize, onts, sugar beets, potatoes, beet leaves, 

 meat meal, fish meal, feed lime, and mixed feed. 



