20 



THE SCIENTIFIC FEEDING OF ANIMALS 



the possible repetition of these processes, cause loss of the more delicate 

 portions of the plants (blossoms, leaflets, tips), the most valuable parts. 

 Under favorable harvest conditions this loss is equal to about 10 per cent 

 of the available nutrients, especially crude protein and nitrogen-free ex- 

 tractives (Falke). In the second place the loss of the more tender or 

 delicate portions of the plants reduces the digestibility of the forage. This 

 in itself amounts to a loss equal to 1 5 per cent of the entire food value of 



Fig. 



mountainous country of southern Germany. 



the plant (Kellner). The total losses sustained by the usual process of 

 sun-drying or sun-curing hay under the most favorable conditions are 

 therefore 25 per cent of the total value of the forage. One-fourth of 

 the entire crop ! In the air-curing methods the losses caused by breaking 

 of the delicate structures of the plant can be almost wholly avoided. In 

 this method the plants remain undisturbed on the drying racks until cured. 

 The minimum loss is suffered when the plants are harvested and fed in 

 their fresh or green state (soiling). 



