MOLASSES 109 



extract (sugar) and 7 per cent mineral matter. The crude protein, which 

 is present to the extent of about 1.0 per cent, consists almost entirely of 

 nitrogenous substances of a nonalbuminous nature (betain, glutamic 

 acid, aspartic acid, leucin, ammonia, etc.). Thus molasses is poorer in 

 albumen or digestible protein than any other feedingstuff. The mineral 

 matter consists of potash 78 per cent, sodium 13 per cent, lime 0.3 per 

 cent, magnesia 0.4 per cent, iron and phosphoric acid 0.7 per cent, sul- 

 phuric acid 1.6 per cent and chlorin 7.5 per cent. Its starch value is 

 48 per cent. 



For feeding purposes molasses is diluted with sufficient warm water to 

 make it readily miscible with other feedingstuffs, like chaffed feed, dry 

 pulp, bran, etc. To avoid diarrhea the feeding of molasses should begin 

 with minimum quantities, which may be gradually increased. An abun- 

 dance of dry feed should always be given with it. Moderate quantities 

 of molasses are very wholesome for horses; they reduce the number of 

 cases of colic and moderate the course of the disease should it appear. 

 It is therefore regarded as a good dietetic feed, but does not seem suit- 

 able to substitute for any large portion of the oat ration, especially for 

 horses doing hard or fast work. Large rations of molasses should not 

 be given in any case; they are liable to produce diarrhea and to over- 

 tax the kidneys. Excessive rations of molasses may also produce 

 cutaneous exanthemas (grease), general weakness, paralytic symptoms 

 and toxic laminitis. Proper quantities for horses are about 3 pounds 

 per day, milk cows 2^ pounds, working oxen 3 to 4 pounds, fattening 

 cattle and sheep 4 pounds, swine 5 pounds, per 1,000 pounds live weight. 

 Molasses should be avoided for animals in advanced pregnancy on ac- 

 count of its reputed tendency to cause abortion. But the latter is prob- 

 ably the case only when the material is spoiled. It is not a regular oc- 

 currence at any rate (Albrecht). In stable-fed animals that suffer from 

 the eft'ects of alkaline earth deficiency, especially the salts of potassium, 

 molasses has proved to be an actual curative agent. 



To facilitate the handling of the product, dry molasses mixtures have 

 been prepared. These consist of various kinds of pulps containing from 

 30 to 40 per cent of molasses, chaffed straw and 40 per cent of molasses, 

 wheat bran and dried distillery slop with 50 per cent of molasses, corn 

 germ meal and coconut cake with 60 per cent of molasses, brewers' 

 grains with 50 to 60 per cent of molasses, palm seed cake with 60 to 

 70 per cent of molasses, etc. Voigt recommends palm-seed and cocoa- 

 nut molasses feed as a substitute for oats and com. This is cheaper 

 than corn and only half the price of oats. Good results were obtained 

 in feeding this mixture to omnibus horses. These molasses pulps are 

 especially adapted for milk cows (soaked in three or four times their 

 volume of water for 12 hours), as well as for horses. Swine do not 

 like them so well. Peat has been used as an absorbent for molasses, 

 but the former is entirely indigestible. It has also been used to prevent 

 the intestinal absorption of the potash salts which are very abundant in 



