FOODS ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 



577 



The fat (oil) was well assimilated even when the largest amounts (150 

 and 180 gin.) were consumed. Tbe addition of fat to the ration did not, 

 in the author's opinion, materially affect the digestibility and assimila- 

 tion of the several nutrients. 



The feeding value of corn stover, J. B. Lindsby ( U. S. Dept. 

 Agr. Yearbook 1896, pp. 353-360). — The author discusses the compo- 

 sition, digestibility, etc., of corn stover, and gives practical suggestions 

 for feeding it. The following conclusions are reached: 



"(1) Hoth chemical analysis and digestion experiments show that corn stover 

 contains fully as many pounds of actual food materials as equal quantities of the 

 besi grades of hay. 



"(2) The blades, husks, and stalks arc all valuable for food; hence the entire 

 plant should he cut when the corn is ripe, carefully cured, and housed. 



'■ (3) One-third to one-half of the stover is very often wasted by improper methods 

 of treatment and feeding. 



"(4) In order that it be eaten clean, corn stover should be cut line or shredded 

 before being fed. 



"(5) Stover very frequently lacks in flavor and is a one-sided or carbonaceous 

 feed; hence it should not lie fed alone. 



" (6) Only about one-half of the total coarse fodder of the ration should consist of 

 stover. It should also be fed in combination with by-products rich in protein. 



••(7) The palatahility of stover can he improved by moistening with water and 

 sprinkling with bran. Steaming very much improves the mixture." 



Analyses of wild prairie hay, F. W. Woll ( Wisconsin Sta. Rpt. 

 1896, pp. 305-307). — Analyses are given of 4 samples of wild prairie 

 hay. Samples 1 to 3 represent the ordinary upland prairie hay of this 

 region, and consisted largely of Western wheat grass (Agropyrum glau- 

 cum), with needle grass (Stipa comata), and prairie June grass (Koeleria 

 eristata). Small quantities of wild sage and grama grass were also 

 found. Sample 4 consisted of Buffalo grass (Bulbilin dactyloides). The 

 analyses are as follows : 



Composition of wild prairie hay. 



Water. Protein. 



Fat. 



Xitro- 

 gen free 

 extract. 



Crude 

 litter. 



Ash. 



Sample 1, cut July 25 



Sample 2, cut September 4 

 Sample 3, cut January 10 . 

 Sample 4, cut January 20 . 



Per cent. 

 0. 19 

 6.46 

 7.63 

 7.34 



Per cent. 



6.58 

 4.66 

 3.15 

 4.44 



Per cent. 

 3.05 

 3.09 

 4. 12 

 2.03 



Per rent. 

 45.34 

 46.40 

 45.89 ; 

 50.07 



Per cent. 

 28. 32 

 28.80 

 29.24 

 24.22 



Per cent. 

 10. 52 

 10.59 

 9 97 

 11.80 



The amid nitrogen constituted 12.0 per cent, 11 per cent, and 14.1 

 per cent of the total nitrogen of samples 1, 2, and 4, respectively. 

 None was found in sample 3. 



Influence of breeding on the feeding qualities of lambs, J. A. 

 Craig ( }Yisconsin Sta. Rpt. 1896, pp. 59-65, pi. l,figs. 6).— A. test was 

 made with 2 lots of lambs, mostly grade Shropshires, to test the 

 influence of breeding. 



Lot 1 was made up of 25 lambs. They were purchased in northern 

 Wisconsin and no care had been taken in the selection of stock for 



