Tables of Composition and Feeding 8t4mdards. 99 



The second column of the table shows that eight feeding trials 

 have been made with com stover to determine the digestibility of 

 its several components. Sixty per cent, of the dry matter, 45 of the 

 protein, 67 of the crude fiber, 61 of the nitrogen-free extract, and 

 62 per cent, of the ether extract are, on the average, digested 

 from this fodder by the fluids of the alimentary tract and absorbed 

 by the animal body. In statements of this character, the aver- 

 age of a large number of determinations is more satisfactory and 

 reliable than the data of a single trial. 



Table A shows that oat straw contains more protein than corn 

 stover. Table B shows that 45 per cent, of the protein in corn 

 stover, and only 30 per cenL of that in oat straw, are digestible. 

 It shows that the nutrients in the concentrates are more digestible 

 than those in roughage, crude fiber excepted. For example, 

 78 per cent, of the protein in the oat grain, and only 30 per cent, 

 of that in oat straw, are digestible. In corn stover 61 per cent, of 

 the nitrogen-free extract is digestible, and in the corn grain 93 

 per cent. It thus appears that a given quantity of total nutrients 

 in concentrated feeding stuffs is usually more valuable than the 

 same amount in coarse forage. 



131. Total digestible nutrients. — Example Table C is a por- 

 tion of Table HE of the Appendix. Having learned the composi- 

 tion of the several common feeding stu^ from Table A, and the 

 percentage digestibility of each of these nutrients from Table B, 

 the student is now in position to consider the third table, derived 

 from them, presenting the digestible substance in 100 pounds of 

 each of the feeding stuffs under consideration. The statement 

 for each nutrient in this table is determined by multiplying its 

 composition, as given in Table A, by the factor of digestibility in 

 Table B. 



