60 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 158. 



and less fat and carbohydrates. While the protein content is about the 

 same, the protein of the Molassine contains approximately 70 per cent, of 

 amido compounds which are not as valuable as true protein. 



2. Molassine meal was found to contain about 470 pounds less digesti- 

 ble matter to the ton than corn meal. 



3. In a feeding experiment with 6 cows the Molassine meal ration pro- 

 duced about 14 per cent, less milk and 16 per cent, less solids and fat than 

 did the corn meal ration. 



While molasses mixed with moss or peat (of which JMolassine meal is a 

 tj^pe) renders the former easily handled, and while such a mixture maj- be 

 used to advantage in some cases, it is beUeved that at prevaihng prices it 

 is likely to prove a decidedly expensive feedstuff, especially for dairy 

 animals. 



(4) Molassine Meal for Horses. 



Mention has already been made of the fact that mixtures of moss or 

 peat and molasses are in common use in Germany, France and England. 

 There is no feedstuff the value of which has been sO t borough h^ discussed 

 and disputed as has this feed mixture. 



The late 0. Kellner ^ considered it expensive, recognizing that its nutri- 

 tive value was to be found only in the 75 per cent, of molasses which it 

 contained. He advised the use of plain molasses, or molasses mixed with 

 bran or other feedstuff. 



Lavalard,^ one of the French authorities on the nutrition of the horse, 

 conducted long-continued experiments, using one-fourth Toiirbe-Mclassee 

 and three-fourths oats, corn and beans, together with some 7 to 8 pounds 

 daily of chopped straw. He states that this combination has given the 

 l)est results, the animals completely consuming the ration, which was 

 never the case with the ordinary ration fed. He further states that as a 

 result of feeding this ration, large numbers of cavalry horses were well 

 nourished and equal to the work required of them, and with a noticeable 

 decrease in the intestinal troubles which usually occur. The introduction 

 of molasses in the ration led him to fear the injurious effects of the potash 

 salts. His long experience, however, enables him to say that these salts 

 acted both as a tonic and stimulant. 



The writer has fed Molassine meal to farm horses and found it to be 

 readily eaten and in no way injurious. The horses to which it was fed 

 were in normal condition beforehand. 



In spite of its worthlessness as a food, the moss serves as a satisfactory 

 carrier of the molasses. Emphasis has already been placed upon the high 

 cost of the Molassine meal in proportion to its nutritive value. 



(5) General Statement concerning Molasses as a Foodstuff. 

 Molasses has been in use for a considerable time both in Europe and 

 America, either fed by itself or as a component of mixed feeds for all 

 kinds of Hve stock. 



1 Die Ernahrung d. Landw. Nutzthiere, Sechste Auflage, p. 378. 



2 L'alimentation du Cheval, p. 62. 



