FEEDING VALUE OF CROPS 26 1 



crease in nitrogenous matter is, however, at the expense 

 of the total dry matter in the crop. If crops are cut too 

 early, that is, before early bloom, too much of the nitro- 

 gen is in the form of amides, some of which are changed 

 to proteids at a later stage. Early cutting results in 

 securing a smaller yield per acre of dry matter more con- 

 centrated in nitrogenous compounds. When fodder crops 

 are cut at early or full bloom, the nutrients are more 

 evenly distributed than at maturity when some of the 

 proteids and carbohydrates have been transferred from 

 the leaves to the seeds, leaving stems and leaves with a 

 larger amount of fiber and less protein. The composi- 

 tion and comparative feeding value of clover cut at 

 different stages of growth are given in Section 351. 



364. flethod of Preparation as Food. The method of 

 curing and preparing a fodder affects its food value. 

 Overdrying causes a mechanical loss of leaves which 

 gives the fodder a different composition and feeding 

 value from that when the leaves are all secured. Bleach- 

 ing results in partial destruction of the chlorophyl and a 

 loss of the essential oils that impart palatability. Other 

 chemical changes which have a tendency to make the 

 fodder less digestible also take place. A mechanical 

 loss of leaves and exposure to leaching rains result in a 

 loss of nutritive value. The materials extracted are the 

 most soluble and digestible. A heavy, leaching rain may 

 extract 10 per cent, or more of the nutrients, making the 

 leached fodder less available and less palatable. 



The method of storing and the mechanical condition of 

 a fodder also influence, to a limited extent, the avail- 



