40 



peas make very satisfactory soiling crops, and furnish more protein 

 than the cereals grown by themselves. 



Alfalfa has not proved successful at the Station, and reports com- 

 ing from Massachusetts farmers who have tried it are not 

 encouraging. 



Corn should be grown extensively, and a silo is believed to 

 be the most economical method of preserving it. It may be advis- 

 able to pick off some of the best ears, before putting the crop into 

 the silo, or even to grow more than is sufficient for silage fodder. 

 The reason for this latter suggestion is due to the fact that it is 

 hardly wise to feed more than a bushel of silage daily for any length 

 of time, because of its acid character. The grain* not ensiled, 

 together with some purchased concentrate rich in protein may be fed 

 mixed with the silage, which will take the place of bran, in so far as 

 it acts as a diluter. By producing the fodder crops above suggested, 

 the quantity of protein feed-stuff to be purchased may be consider- 

 ably reduced. 



Protein is guaranteed because it is by far the most 



Why only necessary and costly nutrient for the farmer to pur- 

 Protein and chase. Fat is guaranteed firstly because it furnishes 

 Fat are two and one-quarter times as much energy as carbo- 

 Guaranteed. hydrates,and secondly, because an excess interferes 

 with digestion and normal milk secretion, and is to 

 be avoided. The percentages of protein and fat scn'c as an index of 

 the character of the feed. Thus an average quality of wheat bran 

 should contain i6 per cent of protein, and if only 14 or less were 

 found, it would indicate that the article was inferior or adulterated. 

 Many concentrates, especially oat offal, contain an excessive 

 amount of fiber, an ingredient less digestible than the starchy matter. 

 A guaranty of fiber in addition to protein and fat for such feeds 

 would furnish a better index of their character. The content of pro- 

 tein, fat and fiber being knownt, the amount of starchy matter is 

 easily estimated by difference. The fact must not be lost sight of 

 however that the extract or starchy matter is a necessary and val- 

 uable animal nutrient. 



*Corn furnishes a large amount of digestible matter. 



t To these add 10 to 14 per cent for water and ash before substracting from 100 to get 

 starchy matter. 



