OTHER GREEN FORAGE 55 



watery but contain large amounts of vegetable acid salts, especially those 

 of oxalic acid, and comparatively little crude fiber. The oxalic acid con- 

 tent may amount to 3.5 per cent of the entire dry matter. Only half of 

 this is in the form of oxalate of lime. The nitrogen present is, to a con- 

 siderable extent, in the form of amid compounds and nitrate of potash. 

 On account of this rich content of oxalic acid and saltpeter, together 

 with the bacteria-infected soil particles that are always present on beet 

 and turnip leaves, this kind of forage, if fed in quantity, often causes 

 affections of the kidneys and of the heart (oxalic acid and saltpeter 

 poisoning). The soft and at times fluid character of the intestinal dis- 

 charges of cattle resulting from these feeds interferes seriously with the 

 production of sanitary milk. To prevent the laxative action of these 

 feeds and the toxic effects of the oxalic acid, prepared chalk (about 3 

 ounces to 200 lbs. of leaves) may be added before feeding. A better prac- 

 tice, however, is to observe moderation in feeding beet leaves and to 

 supplement them with roughage. Cattle receive 40 lbs, of beet leaves 

 per day, or 100 lbs., if the tops of the root are included (per 1,000 lbs. 

 live weight). 



Beet leaves do not constitute a complete ration and should not be fed 

 exclusively under any circumstances. Since they are available in large 

 quantities during beet harvest, it is usually necessary, in order to save 

 them, to ensilage or dry them. Although ensilaging causes the loss of a 

 considerable portion of the water-soluble oxalic acid, it is still necessary 

 to observe the precautions prescribed for feeding the fresh leaves. Ac- 

 cording to Hussmann, cows take up to 9 lbs. of the dried leaves per 

 1,000 lbs. weight, per day, and do well. They are suitable substitutes 

 for second crop or aftermath grasses and for clover hay. The quality of 

 the milk in cows does not suffer. 



Chicory leaves. In the sugar beet regions of Germany chicory 

 (Cichorium intybus) is extensively cultivated as a substitute for coffee, 

 and the tops of the plants are used as cattle feed. In England this plant 

 is cultivated to furnish pasturage for sheep and in France it is cultivated 

 as a regular forage plant. Two to three cuttings may be made and one 

 acre will yield from 8 to 12 tons of green feed. In general, animals eat 

 the leaves of this plant greedily, digest it well and thrive upon it. Slightly 

 wilted fall cuttings average 54 per cent dry matter, 9 per cent crude pro- 

 tein, 2.3 per cent crude fat, 25 per cent nitrogen-free extract, 8 per cent 

 crude fiber and 9.5 per cent mineral matter. Oppermann reports cases 

 of poisoning from chicory leaves. The symptoms were inflammation of 

 the mouth, suppressed appetite, rumination and gastrointestinal peristal- 

 sis, swaying walk. Treatment with veratrin or veratrum album (2j^ gr.) 

 brought about recovery. 



Since it is well known that chicory is subject to attack from rust fungi 

 (Puccinia compositarum), Peronospora gangliformis, Pezisa scleroti- 

 oides, etc., and since the plant itself is known to be a palatable and agree- 

 able feeding stuff, the suspicion arises that the intoxications observed by 



