664 EXPERIMENT STATION BECORD. 



unpalatable whether fed alone or in the complete screenings, and however fed 

 were detrimental. When made palatable with an addition of molasses it was 

 clearly proved that the greater the quantities consumed the less gain and 

 profits result. Black seeds fed to swine were also very unpalatable, however 

 fed, and in all experiments showed little or no food value and often detracted 

 from the value of the other constituents in the ration. Black seeds for dairy 

 cows were very unpalatable whether fed alone or in the complete screenings, 

 and when compelled to eat a small quantity, the cows fell off in milk. It is 

 said that cows will produce more on two-thirds of their regular grain ration 

 than when they receive the full quantity of a grain ration composed of one- 

 third black seeds. 



Complete finely ground screenings were, to all classes of stock, somewhat 

 unpalatable, due to black seeds. It required several weeks for animals to 

 overcome their dislike of these seeds. Complete screenings proved a valuable 

 food, but best when comprising only a part of the total meal ration. Com- 

 plete screenings for lambs, when compared with grains and roughages at market 

 values, had a value of $39 per ton when comprising 50 per cent of the grain 

 ration and $26 per ton when comprising the total grain ration. Complete 

 screenings for swine gave fair returns. When mixed with feed flour in pro- 

 portions of 3 : 1, the mixture was worth $18.40 per ton, and had the black seeds 

 been removed, it is thought this would have been increased $10 per ton in value. 

 Complete screenings for dairy cattle were .somewhat unpalatable, due to black 

 seeds. When composing 20 per cent of the grain ration the screenings acquired 

 a value of $34 per ton. The addition of molasses made the ratltm palatable but 

 detracted from the food value, making the mixture of screenings and molas.ses 

 meal worth only $25 per ton. This Is deemed clear evidence that the most 

 economical way of making screenings more palatable is not to add other con- 

 stituents but to remove the black seeds. 



In lamb feeding experiments it was clearly proved that screenings with black 

 seeds removed are worth $10 more per ton than the complete screenings. The 

 increased palatability alone would account for most of this difference. This 

 would apply equally well to the feeding of screenings to other classes of stock. 

 In the feeding of young pigs buckwheat screenings is considered a valuable 

 meal, estimated at $27.60 p^r ton. and it is thought that this feed would have 

 proportionate value in feetling .sheep and cattle. 



In experiments with poultry it was found that a ration compose<l entirely 

 of wild buckwheat was very palatable, as were also rations of wild buckwheat, 

 corn meal, and ground oats 2:1:1, and of scalpings, corn meal, and oats 2:1:1. 

 Wherever either of the mustards or lamb's quarters was present in the mix- 

 ture the birds practically refused the food, and even when they were forced 

 to take it by the use of the crammer they disliked the food so much that they 

 lost flesh as long as the operation was continuetl. The results indicate that 

 any ration including black seeils should not be fed, and though it is sometimes 

 recommended to mix mustard with poultry feeds the use of commercial mus- 

 tard when fed in moderation is not considered as objectionable as this wild 

 mustard proved to be in this experiment The quality of the flesh produced 

 from the wild buckwheat seemed to be as good as that with the ordinary mash. 



Operating an efficient cleaner as an attachment to a grain thresher is sug- 

 gested as a possible solution of thg screening problem. 



[Feeding value of the foliage root crops], M. Hoffmann (B1. Zuckerruben- 

 haii. 22 (1915), JN'o. IS, pp. 201-205). — The composition and feeding value are 

 given of the following feetling materials: Fresh and ensiled beet tops, rape 

 tops, cabbage, fresh and dried potato foliage, and fresh, dried, and ensiled sugar 

 beet tops. 



