ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 



1109 



experimental period of 5 days in every case following a preliminary period of 7 days. 

 In all the tests the coarse fodders studied constituted the entire ration. The average 

 coefficients of digestibility follow: 



Average coefficients of digestibility ofcoarsi fodders. Experiments with sheep. 



Corn fodder, cut quite immature 



Corn fodder, cut when mature 



Alfalfa hay, inferior quality 



Alfalfa hay, medium quality 



Native hay, mixed grasses, 1st series 



Native hay. mixed grasses, 2d series 



Timothy hay, superior quality, average 2 



series " 



Sorghum fodder 



Sal t bush 



Nitrogen- 

 free 



extract. 



/•. a. 



57.60 

 60.60 

 56. 69 

 7-J. 89 

 62. 01 

 51.30 



58. 89 

 62. 51 

 49.16 



Crude 

 fiber. 



P.ct. 



67.87 

 56. 71 

 17. 76 

 49.93 

 61 . 36 

 55. 56 



45.34 

 64.88 



8.29 



Ash. 



P. ct. 

 12. 84 

 43. 64 

 45.65 

 57. 67 

 43. 32 

 12.52 



49. 88 



17.64 

 71.55 



Attention is called to the fact that the coefficients of digestihility of the Colorado 

 feeding stuffs are somewhat lower than those obtained in other regions with similar 

 materials. The author believes, however, that the results are in very close accord 

 with facts and tentatively suggests that the Colorado hays and fodders actually have 

 a lower coefficient of digestibility than the same fodders grown elsewhere. The 

 reason for this is not known, but he suggests that it may be due to the method of 

 preserving fodders together with climatic conditions. " [Colorado] fodders are sel- 

 dom preserved under cover, but in stacks or shocks, out of which they usually come 

 as green, bright, attractive looking hays and fodders. They have, however, heen 

 exposed to our changes of temperature, our dry air, and continuously strong light." 



Commenting on the results of the test as compared with popular opinions, the 

 author calls attention to the fact that native hays are highly esteemed as horse fod- 

 ders, being considered as good or better than timothy hay and commanding the 

 same price in market. Furthermore, both timothy and native hay are preferred to 

 alfalfa, especially for livery horses and road animals. 



These opinions as to the relative values of the different hays are not borne out by 

 the results of the experiments with sheep. The animals fed alfalfa hay made a gain 

 of 3 lbs. each, and while on timothy scarcely maintained their weight. On native 

 hay somewhat better results were obtained, the gains ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 lbs. per 

 head in the 5 days of the digestion experiment proper. On corn fodder, which was 

 finely cut with a hand cutter before feeding, the gain ranged from 0.5 to 2 lbs. per 

 head. On the sorghum fodder the sheep lost from 2.5 to 3 lbs. each. " [Sorghum 

 hay] might have greater value if fed in the fall or early winter, but the experiments 

 with it gave disappointing results so far as its feeding value was concerned." 



Attention is called to the fact that with the exception of crude fiber and total dry 

 matter the results of the digestion experiments with saltbush are quite favorable, 

 yet it was not satisfactory when judged by the weight of the sheep, there being a 

 loss of 0.5 to 6 lbs. in 5 days. On this fodder the animals were very thirsty, drink- 

 ing from 10.5 to 15 lbs. of water per day as compared with 1.5 to 4.5 lbs. when fed 

 native hay, to which a small amount of salt was added. On saltbush the quantity 

 of urine was large, and it had a very bad odor. 



The anomalous values obtained for fat in the digestion experiments, especially for 

 alfalfa hay, are discussed. According to the results obtained, 30 to 35 per cent of 

 the ether extract of feces from alfalfa hay consisted of chlorophyll and related sub- 

 stances. Special attention was paid to the determination of fat and several solvents 

 were tested. Definite conclusions were not drawn. 



