FORAGE PLANTS FOR SOUTHERN STATES. 



99 



averaged 30.7 per cent of protein in the dry matter. In 4 analyses of 

 Sontheru-growu plants the protein content was only 21.95 per cent. 

 However, in this case the dates at which the samples were taken sug- 

 gest that the Northern plants were the younger when analyzed, and 

 this fact would explain the exception to the apparent rule that Southern- 

 grown leguminous plants contain in their dry matter a larger proportion 

 of protein than IS'orthern-grown legumes. Northern -grown i>lants of 

 the common vetch were taken lor analysis April 23, May 4, and May 21; 

 Southern grown, June 1 in three instances and July 1 in one instance. 

 That the Korthern-grown vetch plants were sampled at earlier stages of 

 growth than were the Southern-grown j)lants is confirmed by the fact 

 that the former averaged only 15.8 per cent of fiber in the dry matter, 

 while the Southern-grown plants contained 28.23 per cent of fiber. 



The average of 2 Northern analyses of spurry showed more than 

 twice as much protein as was contained in 1 Southern-grown sample. 

 However, the former averaged only 18.25 per cent of fiber in the dry 

 matter while the latter contained 24.38 per cent of fiber, suggesting 

 that tlie apparent advantage of Northern-grown spurry was at least 

 partly attributable to its having been harvested at an earlier stage of 

 maturity than the plants analyzed at the Mississippi Station. That 

 4.5G per cent of protein is quite low for Southern-grown spurry appears 

 probable when the analysis made at the Mississippi Station is compared 

 with one made at the Alabama College Station (Bulletin 49) in which 

 protein constituted 11.5(J per cent of the dry matter of the plant. In 

 this latter case the crude fiber, 18.95 per cent, and probably the stage 

 of development of the plant, agreed closely with the figures for 

 Northern-grown spurry. In this connection nieution of an analysis of 

 spurry plant with mature seed made at the Michigan Station (Bulletin 

 101) should not be omitted. The dry matter of the plant contained 

 14.32 per cent of protein accompanied by 60,35 per cent of fiber. 



Of 19 grasses, the composition of which when grown North and when 

 grown South was compared. Southern plants gave a higher [)rotein 

 content in the case of 7 species and a lower protein content in the case 

 of 12 species. Following is a list of the 7 grasses affording a higher 

 protein content when grown in the South : 



Protein in Southern and Northern grown grasses. 



dumber Protein 

 oC j in dry- 

 analyses, matter. 



Differ- 

 ence. 



Tall out gra.ss (Arrhenatherum elathu) ^ Irortiiern 



Rescue gra.ss (Bnnims unioloides) ^ iTorthern ' 



Ori-hanl grass (Dactylie glomerata) ^^ | ff^" t^e"n ' '. 



Meadow fescue (Fegtuca 2)ratensis) \ I ^^^J.*/^™ ' ' 



Italian rye grass {Lolium italicum) 5 I x^pfNeru 



Kentucky blue grass ( Poa jiratensis) | I I^JJ-thern '. '. 



Johnsou grass (Sorghum halepense) i ^Torthern 



3714— No. 2 2 



Per cent. Percent. 

 12. 35 ( Q fis 



8.70 

 17.08 

 12. 90 

 13.87 

 8.70 

 9.27 

 8.00 

 18.30 

 11.40 

 13.07 

 10. 50. 

 10. 72 

 6.70 



4.18 



