EDITORIAL. 271 



It is a question whether the analysis of feeding stuffs shouhl not be 

 confined to such materials as have not been frequently analyzed, and 

 to materials which are being- grown or used in connection with exi)eri- 

 ments. This in itself will gradually swell the luimber and usually 

 give a sufficient basis for averages. Moreover, in view of the present 

 unsettled state of the methods for fodder analysis and the i)robability 

 that most of the data on this subject will have to be revised in certain 

 respects, it hardly seems worth while to furtlier multiply the analyses 

 of well-known feeding stuffs merely for the i)urpose of adding to the 

 general fund of information on their composition. There is more 

 important work in contributing data for improving the methods and in 

 studying the nutritive value of the constituents which are being taken 

 account of in modifications of the methods for fodder analysis. 



It is gratitying to note that the decision of the recent convention of 

 Official Agricultural Chemists was along this line. Instead of continu- 

 ing its study of methods based on the present grouping of constituents 

 in fodder analysis, it will direct its attention to methods which supple- 

 ment these and recognize more definite groups, especially in the 

 nitrogen-free extract. There is already quite general interest in the 

 carbohydrate constituents of feeding stuffs, and a good beginning has 

 been made in studying them. The suggestion of so eminent an author- 

 ity as Professor Ritthausen in regard to the protein is worthy of serious 

 consideration. 



