110 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 186. 



the crude fiber shows a lower digestibility (11 per cent. less). The extract 

 matter of the alfalfa is more digestible than that of the clover. 



The second cutting of alfalfa hay appears to be more digestible than 

 the first and third cuttings, which are nearly equal in digestibility. 



Comparing alfaKa in bloom with clover in bloom, one notes the same 

 differences as in the average analyses of all samples : namely, that in case 

 of the alfalfa the crude protein and extract matter are more digestible, 

 and the crude fiber less digestible, than in the clover hay. 



A comparison of our own results tells substantially the same story, as 

 the following data show: — 



Table IV. 



Coefficients of Digestibility of Alfalfa and Clover Hays {Our 

 Results). 



In comparing the total digestibility of alfaKa hay with that of other 

 feeds we have the following figures: alfalfa and clover, about 60 per cent.; 

 timothy, 55 per cent.; rowen (largely of grasses), 65 per cent.; dent corn 

 fodder, 66 per cent. It is evident, therefore, that in point of digestibihty 

 alfalfa and clover are rather more digestible than timothy hay, but less 

 digestible than mature corn fodder or well-cured rowen. 



Appl3dng the average digestion coefficients to the average analyses of 

 the several feeds, we have the following digestible nutrients for 1 ton: — 



