666 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



pp. 301-398). — In these experiments with sheep it was demonstrated that the 

 straws of spring grain are not so poor in crude fiber as the corresponding straws 

 of winter grain. The influence of weathering on the percentage content of the 

 various grain stniws was proportionately as slight on the organic as on the 

 inorganic con.slituonts, and not so marked as in the protein-rich roughages, such 

 as meadow and clover hays. 



It was found that tlie Konig method for determining the crude fiber content 

 did not agree in results witli tlie Weender method, also that the Kunig method 

 of determining the pure cellulose and the iucrustated material (lignin and cutin) 

 was not accurate. The Cross and Bevan method for determining pure cellulose 

 is reconnnondod as the best. 



The digestil)ilities of summer and winter grown straws were as similar in this 

 respect as in others. Eape and turnip tops as forage material were approxi- 

 mately equal in value, but inferior to the grain straws. The legumes varied to 

 some extent. It is claimed that the value of roughage consists in its starch 

 value and that any classification as to protein and crude fiber content is mis- 

 leading. The digestible portion of crude fiber is found in the pure cellulose. 



Silos and silage, P. V. Ewing {Georgia 8ta. Bui. 110 {1914), pp. 163, 164, 

 177-190). — This bulletin contains general information on the value of silage 

 as a feed, methods of growing and harvesting silage crops, silage femientations, 

 the cost of silage, and the feeding of silage to the various classes of farm live 

 stock. 



Shock corn for silage, C. H. Eckles {Missouri Sta. Circ. 71 {1914), pp. 25^ 

 28, fig. 1). — It is stated that although not equal to silage from corn put in at 

 the proper stage dry shock corn may be used to advantage in the silo. Tests 

 at the station and elsewhere indicated that approximately 1 lb. of water 

 should be added to every pound of dxy fodder. The method recommended for 

 making this silage is described. 



The composition, digestibility, and feeding value of molassine meal, cot- 

 ton-seed meal and hulls, cocoa shells, grain screenings, flax shives, Mellen's 

 Food refuse, and Postum cereal residue (CXX feed), J. B. Lindsey and, P. H. 

 Smith {Massachusetts Sta. Bui. 158 {1914), pp. 53-71). — Molassine meal is 

 described as an English product composed of substantially 70 to 75 per cent of 

 cane or beet molasses and from 25 to 30 per cent of sphagnum moss, and has 

 the following approximate comiwsition : "Water 18.43, protein 9.32, fat 0.47, 

 nitrogen-free extract 57.51, fiber 6.75, and ash 7.52 per cent. 



Six cows were fed by the reversal method, in periods of three weeks' dura- 

 tion, a basal ration of hay, wheat bran, and cotton-seed meal, to which were 

 added definite amounts of either molassine or corn meal. The total average 

 daily nutrients were somewhat less for the molassine ration than for the corn 

 meal ration. The cows produced substantially 14 per cent more milk and 16 

 per cent more solids and fat on the corn meal ration than they did on the molas- 

 sine ration. The cost per quart of milk on the corn meal ration was 3.1 cts. 

 per pound, of butter 2G cts. ; on the molassine meal ration 3.S and 33 cts., re- 

 spectively. Successful trials in feeding this product to horses are also reported. 

 Molasses as a feeding stuff is discussed. 



Analyses are given of cotton-seed meal, cotton-seed hulls, cotton-seed hull 

 bran, and cotton-seed feed meal. It was found that low-grade cotton-seed meal 

 contained about 30 per cent less digestible organic matter than the high-grade 

 material. It is stated that the addition of hulls to cotton-seed meal, even in 

 small amounts, lessens its feeding value by decreasing its protein content and 

 impairing its digestibility. Cotton-seed feed meal containing choice cotton-seed 

 meal and cotton-seed hull bran in equal iiarts has nbout one-half the feeding 

 value Of choice cottou-seed meal. A gradual deterioration in the quality of the 



