lyoo.j 



PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 



75 



In the first trial Sheep I. evidently had a somewhat weak- 

 ened digestion. This condition has ah-eady been referred 

 to, and this sheep was dropped during 1904. Sheep III. 

 appeared to have digested the hominy quite thoroughly, 

 while Sheep II. gave results midway between the other two. 

 Just why the three sheep should have shown such variable 

 results with a feed that is supposed to be easily digested, is 

 not clear. In the second trial, with a different sample and 

 with the young sheep, the results also var}^ more than one 

 would expect. Sheep III. was unable to digest the starchy 

 matter as well as the other two, but made better use of the 

 protein. The percentage of fiber contained in the hominy 

 is relatively small, and the results differ so noticeably that 

 they must be considered worthless. Both lots of sheep 

 utilized the starchy matter and fat to about the same degree ; 

 the young sheep failed to digest the protein, as well as the 

 old sheep. The average results of the two experiments 

 must be regarded as giving a fairly good idea of the diges- 

 tibility of the several fodder groups. It has been assumed 

 hitherto that hominy was as digestible as corn meal ; but, 

 in view of the results obtained, this opinion is no longer 

 tenable. The total dry matter of the hominy seems to be 

 about 9 per cent, less digestible than that of the corn. This 

 deficiency apparently falls largely on the protein and extract 



