MASSACHUSETTS ANIMAL INDUSTRY 



153 



What the Horses Did with Timothy and Kentucky Blue Grass Hay. 



Five of the samples tested were largely Timothy, and contained from 3.86 

 to 7.68 per cent protein and from 28.9 to 31.7 per cent of fiber. It is evident 

 that some samples were cut earlier than others. One sample was fine in qual- 

 ity, was composed mainly of Kentucky blue grass, and contained 7.70 per cent 

 of protein and 28.35 per cent fiber. 



The average digestion coefficients and net energy value are given in the 

 following table: 



Average Digestion Coeificients and Net Energy Values 



It was found that the total digestibility of the Timothy varied from 40 to 

 54 per cent, with an average of 47 per cent, and that the digestibility was 

 inversely proportional to the fiber percentage; that is, the liigher the per- 

 centage of fiber, the lower tlie digestibility. The net energy varied from 18 

 to 38 therms per 100 pounds, with an average of 27 therms. The sample con- 

 taining the highest percentiige of fiber, 31.68 per cent, contained but 18 

 therms of net energy per 100 pounds; while llie lot which contained only 

 28.8 per cent fiber had 38 therms of net energy. The teaching is the same as 

 in the case of alfalfa: namely, that late cutting, high fiber content and low 

 net energy go hand in hand. The conclusion is clear, that the later the hay 

 is cut, the less its nutritixe value per pound or ton. Hor.se feeders prefer 

 late-cut, coarse haj', not for its high nutritive value but because of its disten- 

 tion of the intestinal tract and its less lax;itive effect. Tliey depend largely 

 upon the grain ration for nutrition, and ujjon coar.se hay as a distributor. 



Tlie fine hay was more digestible and had more therms of net energy than 

 the coarse. The average results with cattle show tj-^at they are able to make 

 better use of Timothy hav' than do horses. 



A Kansas Ration v. a Substitute Ration. 



The Kansas ration, so-called, was a combination of alfalfa, corn and oats, 

 recommended by the Kansas Experiment Station and the United States 

 Department of Agriculture, who experimented jointly for a period of 140 

 days with 17 artillery horses, doing what was termed rapid light draft. 



The combination wliich jiroved satisfactory in the trials cited was recom- 

 mended on the ground that a relatively small amoimt of roughage (alfalfa) 

 fed with a relatively large amount of corn and oats would require a minimum 



