I'lO.').] 



PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 



79 



percentage of galactan in a large number of hays, straws and 

 concentrated feeds. The results of their work showed the 

 presence of quite small amounts of galactan in the non- 

 leguminous plants and seeds. In the leguminous plants 

 from 3 to 4 per cent, was found, while in leguminous seeds 

 the amount varied from U/ii to 14 per cent. 



The method ^ employed was the one proposed by Tollens 

 and his pupils, and consisted in principle of oxidizing a 

 given amount of the plant or seed with a solution of slightly 

 diluted nitric acid, and collecting the resulting mucic acid, 

 after further treatment for the removal of impurities, on a 

 tared filter. 



No experiments are on record relative to the digestibility 

 of g-alactan, hence the undertaking of this trial. Alsike 

 clover seed was selected because it contained a noticeable 

 quantity of galactan. It was ground reasonably fine, and 

 fed in connection with hay, the digestibility of which had 

 been previously determined. The experiment was conducted 

 in the usual way, three young Southdown wethers being em- 

 ployed, and passed off without any disturbances. 



Tabulated Data of the Experimekt. 



Gompositiou of Feed Stuffs (Per Cent.). 

 [Dry matter.] 



Composition of Freces (Per Cent.). 

 [Dry matter.] 



1 Loco citato. 



- The figures for all constituents, excepting galactan, in hay and hay manures were 

 determined in a previous experiment. 



