Dec. 15, 1919 Organic Matter Lost in Making Brown and Black Alfalfa 303 



The results secured from the two methods of calculation agree remark- 

 ably well, considering that there are possibilities of error in sampling, 

 that the figures given in Table IV depend on the assumption of no gain 

 or loss of ash, and that the data presented in Table II are based on 

 one-fourth of the stack only. 



The first method of calculation (Table III) shows a loss of 39.1 per 

 cent of material as compared with 39.2 per cent secured by the second 

 method (Table IV). The corresponding figures for the percentage of 

 loss of protein were 32.7 and 36.5, for the crude fiber 46.5 and 42.5, for 

 the nitrogen-free extract 45.4 and 45.8, and for the ether extract 63.6 

 and 59.2. The largest loss appears to have been in the ether extract, 

 and the smallest loss in the protein. The losses of all organic materials 

 were large. 



The description of the samples does not permit accurate comparisons 

 of the losses that occurred in the different kinds of hay produced by 

 different degrees of fermentation. In general, it appears that the loss 

 of organic matter varied with the condition of the hay, being greatest 

 for those samples which were charred or moldy. The loss for the brown 

 hay appeared to be less than for the black, but in both cases it was much 

 greater than would be expected for hay cured in the usual way. 



From comparison of the samples of black alfalfa secured December 

 28 with those secured March 28 it appears that the loss of organic matter 

 increased with the time the hay remained in the stack. 



FEEDING VALUE 



The feeding value of black alfalfa and brown alfalfa as compared with 

 alfalfa cured in the usual way was determined by feeding each to steers 

 which received a ration of shelled com and oil meal in addition to the 

 hay. The data secured in this feeding test were furnished by Dr. C. 

 W. McCampbell, of the Department of Animal Husbandry. 



Three lots of 14 steers each were fed 180 days. One of these lots was 

 given black alfalfa represented by samples 591. and 592 in Table II, 

 another was fed ordinary brown alfalfa hay that had been cured in the 

 usual way, and a third lot was fed first quality alfalfa hay of good color. 

 In all other respects the three lots were given the same feed. The data 

 are given in Table V. In calculating costs and profits, the following 

 prices for feeds were used : 



Com per bushel 



Alfalfa hay per ton 



Black alfalfa do . . 



Brown alfalfa do . . 



Oil meal do. . 



$1. 12 

 15. 00 

 5.00 

 15.00 

 45.00 



