CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF FEEDING STUFFS 



59 



however, be entirely avoided; these losses are especially important 

 in the case of leguminous crops, notably alfalfa. The leaves make 

 up about one-half of the weight of the alfalfa plant, and carry 

 four-fifths of the crude protein, over one-half of the starchy com- 

 ponents, and only about one-fourth of the fiber of the entire plant. 

 Headden, of the Colorado station, 9 concludes from his studies 

 of the alfalfa plant, " that the minimum loss from the falling of 

 leaves and stems in successful hay-making amounts to from 15 to 

 20 per cent, and, in case where the conditions have been unfavorable, 

 to as much as 60 per cent or even 66 per cent of the dry crop. For 

 each 1700 pounds of hay taken off the field at least 300 pounds 

 of leaves and small stems are left, and in very bad cases as much as 

 1200 pounds may be left for each 800 pounds taken." These are 

 lost for feeding purposes, but are returned to the soil, whose supply 

 of humus and valuable fertilizer ingredients they increase, and thus 

 improve its crop-producing power. 



When hay is exposed to rain or to sultry weather, important 

 losses occur through leaching and fermentations. The Colorado 

 station made analyses of samples of alfalfa hay exposed to rainy 

 and damp weather for 15 days after cutting, during which time 

 1.76 inches of rain fell in three showers. Comparing the composi- 

 tion of this hay with that of hay from the same field cut the same 

 day but immediately dried in an air-bath, the results shown in the 

 following table were obtained : 



Percentage Composition of Dry Matter 



The damage to the hay was due partly to mechanical losses 

 leaves and tender parts becoming brittle and breaking off,; .3 but 

 largely to the loss of protein, nitrogen-free extract, soluble mineral 

 components, and aromatic principles, through fermentations and 

 exposure to rain. The removal of the latter greatly decreases the 

 flavor and palatability of the hay to stock; such damaged alfalfa 

 hay is not likely to be worth more than one-half as much as good, 

 well-cured hay. 



"Colorado Bulletins 35 and 110. 



