MISCELLANEOUS CONCENTRATES 189 



animals. When fed in large amounts it does not have the purgative 

 effect of beet molasses, but is only mildly laxative in its action. Good 

 grades of cane molasses contain 65 per ct. of nitrogen-free extract, which 

 is chiefly sugar. As it contains but 3 per ct. of crude protein, cane mo- 

 lasses should be used, like corn, as a source of carbohydrates, along with 

 protein-rich feeds to balance the ration. When fed in moderate amounts, 

 cane molasses is about equal, pound for pound, to dent corn for fatten- 

 ing steers, horses, dairy cows, and sheep, and has also been fed with 

 success to pigs. (482, 586, 748, 955) In addition to the nutrients it 

 supplies, cane molasses is believed to have a favorable effect on the health 

 of animals and serves as a tonic for animals out of condition. By thin- 

 ning it, and pouring it over or mixing it with roughage, animals may be 

 induced to eat more roughage and waste less than otherwise. This is 

 especially important when feeding unpalatable, low-grade roughage. 



In the southe.ni states cane molasses has been extensively used for 

 many years for stock feeding, as it is often one of the most economical 

 feeds available. In the northern states, when it is as cheap as corn or 

 other grains, it may be used with economy as a substitute for corn or 

 other carbohydrate-rich feeds. When it is higher in price than corn, it 

 had best be used in relatively small amount (not over 2 to 3 Ibs. per head 

 daily for horses or cattle) as a tonic or to facilitate the disposal of low- 

 grade roughage, and not in place of corn or such feeds. 13 (482, 748) 



281. Molasses feeds. Cane and beet molasses are now extensively used 

 in the manufacture of the many molasses feeds, which consist of mo- 

 lasses combined with a wide range of products, all the way from high- 

 protein concentrates, such as cottonseed meal, to milling offal, such as 

 screenings, oat hulls, rice hulls, peanut hulls, etc. Many of the early 

 molasses feeds contained a multitude of live weed seeds, were poor in 

 mechanical condition, and did not keep well, on account of excessive 

 moisture. Often entirely unwarranted statements were made in adver- 

 tising these feeds. The conditions have now improved, and where screen- 

 ings are present they usually have been finely ground to destroy all weed 

 seeds. Because of the widely differing materials used in these feeds their 

 value varies greatly. If sold at prices which are reasonable compared 

 with the cost of equal amounts of nutriment in the straight concentrates, 

 nothing can be said against the use of the reliable feeds of this class, for 

 they are well liked by stock. (483) However, deception is easy in these 

 feeds, because the molasses masks the other ingredients so that inspection 

 does not always show of what the feed consists. Therefore the recom- 

 mendations given in Articles 288 to 290 should always be followed in 

 purchasing these feeds. 



Molassine meal, which has been manufactured for several years in 

 Europe and is sometimes found on the markets in the United States, 

 consists of molasses absorbed by sphagnum moss or peat. Kellner and 



"Mass. Bui. 118. 



