Food Value op Willow Leaves. 



457 



Composition of some Important Hays. 



Comparing the average composition of the dried willow leaves, 

 we see that it is about equal to lucerne in quantity of protein, but it 

 has not yet been determined whether the q.uality of the protein is 

 better or worse than that of lucerne. It has more than twice as much 

 crude fat, a little more than half as much crude fibre, and 10 per cent, 

 more carbohydrates, and the same quantity of ash. The ash of these 

 willow leaves was analysed by Mr. G. M. Hay, B.A., Assistant 

 Chemist, and it will be noted that the mineral composition of the ash 

 is excellent for ffrowing- animals or birds. 



Silica 



Iron oxide 



Calcium oxide .. 

 Mag-nesium oxide 

 Potassium oxide 

 Phosphoric oxide 



Partial Composition of Ash 

 of Willow Leaves 

 aud Twigs. 



3.268 per cent. 

 3.692 

 31.360 

 12.620 



9.926 



5.040 .. 



Partial Composition of Ash 

 of Lucerne 

 (Armsby). 



not given. 



not given. 



22.96 per cent. 



9.61 

 28.91 

 15.57 



This shows that in some respects the willow ash is better and in 

 others the lucerne. 



Actual feeding" tests are, however, better than analyses, and 

 Mr. Bourlay has shown that for growing chicks willow leaves g*ive 

 better results than equal quantities of lucerne. 



South African Pork and Bacon. 



Reporting on a consignment of pork and bacon recently shipped 

 from the Union to the London market, the Acting Trade Commis- 

 sioner states that the pork arrived in extremely good condition, being 

 a marked improvement on other consignments seen by him. The type of 

 pig used is described as a useful butcher's pig, being of handy weights 

 varying trom 60 to 90 lb., but it is considered that the breed needs 

 much improving, as the majority of the pigs were described as being 

 half wild. It is pointed out also that the dressing of these pigs was 

 not up to standard, the methods of scalding calling for improvement, 

 the skins being very dark in colour and suffering in comparison with 

 the clear white colour of English and American dressed hogs. 



The bacon was considered extremely useful meat, and both it 

 and the pork secured the maximum controlled price. 



