SWEET GRASSES 45 



Constituents Middle of May Near end of June Near end of July- 

 Percent Percent Percent 



Water 15.0 15.0 15.0 



Crude protein 16.1 9.5 7.2 



Pure protein 10.5 8.0 6.7 



Crude fat 2.9 2.3 2.3 



Nitrogen-free extract 37.3 36.9 36.8 



Crude fiber 21.0 29.5 32.5 



Ash m 6.8 6.2 



This shows the advantage in feeding meadow grasses when in the 

 early stages of growth (before or at blossom time). 



Soil and fertilizer conditions have a marked effect upon plants and 

 their nutrient constituents. The seed itself has little or practically no 

 effect (as far as feeding value is concerned) upon the character or com- 

 position of forage plants. On the other hand, cultivation, irrigation or 

 drouth, liming, the application of phosphoric acid or potash, frequently 

 have a marked influence in this respect. Climatic and meteorological 

 conditions affect the mass and the composition of the forage harvested. 

 An abundant water supply causes watery and coarse forage rich in 

 crude fiber, deficient in nutrients and lacking in palatability. Prolonged 

 drouth causes short, woody growth and deficiency in lime and phos- 

 phates. Wet meadows favor the growth of sour grasses. The latter can 

 be avoided by proper drainage. 



Meadoiv grasses contain on the average 75 per cent of water and 25 

 per cent of dry matter. Of the latter, 3 per cent consists of crude 

 protein, 0.8 per cent crude fat, 13 per cent nitrogen-free extract, 6 per 

 cent crude fiber and 2 per cent mineral matter (0.23 lime, CaO, and 

 0.15 per cent phosphoric acid, P2O5). Just before and during early 

 bloom orchard grass contains 0.8 per cent digestible albumin; full bloom, 

 same as timothy, 1.0 per cent; rye grass and the majority of meadow 

 grasses, during bloom 1.3-1.5 per cent; grass from very rich pastures, 

 up to 2.3 per cent. The starch content varies in a similar manner, be- 

 tween 10 and 14 per cent. 



Advantages. Meadow grasses are relished by herbivora and are well 

 digested and wholesome. They have a high dietetic value when fed green, 

 in the succulent young stage, especially when admixed with aromatic 

 plants of the same description. They stimulate the appetite and digestion 

 and improve the "condition" of such animals in particular as are suffer- 

 ing from the effects of overexertion or disease. Meadow grasses are 

 also slightly laxative. They are therefore of dietetic value in constipa- 

 tion, especially when the latter is of chronic nature, since they stimu- 

 late intestinal muscular activity. Their high content in salts, especially 

 the bone-forming salts (lime and phosphates) makes them an excellent 

 remedy for replenishing the depleted organism of animals long subjected 

 to unnatural feeding conditions, or a preventive or even curative agent 

 in halisteresis (salt starvation), especially of the bones, so-called osteo- 

 malacia and rachitis of ruminants. 



