3 82 



THE FORAGE AND FIBER CROPS IN AMERICA 



port of cotton-seed cake and cotton-seed meal was in 1905, 

 626,000 tons valued at nearly fourteen million dollars. 



Table Showing Composition of Cotton-seed Meal 1 and Hulls 



Cotton-seed meal is highly prized as a source of easily di- 

 gestible protein and fat for milch cows, and fattening cattle 

 and sheep. Experience has shown that it is unsafe to feed to 

 calves and to swine of any age, sickness and death resulting 

 from causes not well understood. 2 When fed to milch cows, 

 fattening cattle and sheep, it is desirable to begin gradually, 

 and not to feed exclusively or excessively. A safe rule is to 

 begin feeding not to exceed two pounds per day per 1,000 pounds 

 live weight, and not to increase beyond six pounds per day. 

 Fermented meal never should be used for feeding. Fresh meal 

 has a bright yellow color and a nutty odor. 



Cotton-seed meal is sometimes adulterated with finely ground 

 cotton-seed hulls. The hulls are not injurious but decrease the 



1 Sometimes called decorticated cotton-seed meal to distinguish it from 

 meal that is made without removing hulls. In most cotton growing countries, 

 except the United States, it is customary to express the oil without previous 

 removal of the hulls. 



2 Texas Sta. Bui. No. 55 (1899), p. 209. 



