1004 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



"The ash content of these cacti is very high, comparing with Chat of saltbushes 

 crown in ihi> region, and accounting for the purgative effect of this forage upon 

 cattle. Theproteids arc distinctly less than in the saltbushes. but the carbohydrates, 

 included in nitrogen-free extract, are greater. Very interesting are the high per- 

 centages of ether extract, which includes fatty substances, found in the fruit of 

 Opuntia fulgida and 0. spinosior. The prepared samples are perceptibly oily in char- 

 acter and the circumstance suggests a reason fur the readiness with which cattle 

 devour the fruit." 



Examination of beet molasses of different sorts. T. Dietrich and F. Mach 

 (Landw. Vers. Stat., CO (1904). No. 5-6. i</>. 347-35") I. — A large number of analyses 

 are reported and discussed. On an average the molasses contained 22 per cent water 

 and 7s per cent < 1 ry matter. The author calls attention to the low total and proteid 

 nitrogen and nitric acid content of the samples, the total nitrogen being on an 

 average 1.663 per cent of the fresh material. 



Experiments on the feeding value of common heather, K. Mi ilkk Ber. 

 Physiol. Lab. Landw. Inst. Halle, 1903, No. 17. pp. 1-55). — The experiments repotted 

 were made with milch cows and with sheep, the digestibility of the rations and the 

 income and outgo of nitrogen being studied, as well as the composition of heather. 

 In the case of the milch cows the effect of the ration on milk production was also 

 investigated. The author concludes that the use of heather a- a part of the coarse 

 fodder of the ration did not diminish the secretion of milk or appreciablj change its 

 composition. Neither did it diminish the digestibility of the ration nor affect the 

 general well-being of the animals. 



In the case of sheep heather was fed without any concentrated feed. The 

 nitrogen-free extract and pentosan were fairly well digested, but the coefficients 

 obtained for protein and fat were rather low. 



Some studies were made to learn how the tannic acid in the heather is excreted. 

 Tests with iron-chlorid solution showed that no tannic acid was present in the feces. 

 However, the urine, especially in the case of the sheep, gave a grayish blue precipi- 

 tate which was regarded as more characteristic of gallic than tannic acid. The 

 results of the investigation as a whole were favorable to the use of heather a- a 

 coarse fodder in times of scarcity. 



A new fodder plant. Elodea canadensis, F. R. Feri.e (Folding's Landw. Zlg., 

 1904 '. A". 15. pp. 549-558). — The author reports analytical data regarding water 

 weed and summarizes information on its composition and feeding value, which led to 

 the conclusion that this plant may be used as a cattle fed. 



Sugar as a feeding stuff for farm animals, F. Curot (Le Sucre J"/<* Vali- 



mentation des animaux. Paris: L. Laveur \1904\ pp.384; rev. in Jour. Agr. Prut., 



.. 8 1904), A'/. 48, />■ 715). — The value of sugar as a feeding -tuff is discussed 



and information regarding its use is summarized, the volume being designed to meet 



the needs of both students and practical feeders. 



The quantitative botanical analysis cf feeding stuffs, A. Maurizio ( Landw. 

 Vt . Stat., i.O (1904), A". 5-6, pp. 359-370). — The importance of a quantitative 

 botanical analysis of feeding stuffs is insisted upon and the value of a microscope in 

 such work pointed out. 



The heating or fermentation of hay, F. W. J. Boekhodt and J. J. 0. de Vkies 

 •'./. Batt. „. par., A .1/,/.. 1 .- i 1904 I, No. /.'-.'./. /./-. 675-681, pi. 1 (.—Investigating 

 the reason for the heating or fermentation of hay in stacks or barns, the authors 

 found that the temperature in the interior of two heated stacks was 85 and 96°, 

 respectively. The dry matter of normal hay contained 10.8 per cent protein, 2.0 

 per i-ent fat. l'.;.l' per cent nitrogen-free extract. 24.0 per cent pentosans. 31.6 per cent 

 crude liber, and 8.4 per cent ash. The dry matter of heated hay had the following 

 percentage composition: Protein 11.5 per cent, fat 3.1 per cent, nitrogen-free extract 



