THE NUTRITIVE VALUE OF CERTAIN FEEDS. 



69 



The difference shown in tlie digest il:iihty of the two lots can probably 

 be accounted for by the fact that the first lot contained more fiber and 

 less nitrogen-free extract than did the second. The fiber contained in 

 both lots did not appear to be at all digestible, indicating somewhat of a 

 depressing effect of the wheat screenings upon the fiber digestibihty of the 

 hay, and also that the fiber contained in the weed seeds of the screenings 

 was of decidedly inferior character. In chemical composition and digest- 

 ibility the screenings did not appear to vary greatly from wheat bran. 



(4) Conclusions. 

 The chemical composition and the results of the digestion trials indicate 

 that these particular screenings possessed a considerable nutritive value. 

 Owing to the wide difference in the character of screenings the results 

 obtained should not be considered as representative for all classes of 

 screenings, but only for those reasonably free from dirt, chaff, straw and 

 an excess of noxious seeds. When used either by themselves, or as a com- 

 ponent of molasses, wheat or stock feeds, they should be finely ground, 

 and would then approximate wheat bran in the amount of nutritive mate- 

 rial they contain. 



5. FLAX SHIVES. 



Flax sliives, sometimes incorrectly called flax bran, consist of the 

 ground refuse staUcs and pods of the flax plant. They are sometimes used 

 as a component of stock and molasses feed, and have been found on sale 

 in Massachusetts as a substitute for wheat bran. They have the appear- 

 ance of finely ground hay. The analysis of two samples at the experiment 

 station showed that this material may vary widely in chemical composi- 

 tion. 



(1) Chemical Composition. 



' Used in digestion trials. 



(2) Digestion Coefficients obtained with Sheep. 



