BEET LEAVES. 



Every autumn the station is in receipt of inquiries concerning 

 the value of beet leaves for feeding purposes. In order to answer 

 these inquiries the following infonnation is submitted : 



Composition and Digestibility. 



The leaves have the following average composition : ' 



Per Cent. 

 Water 89.30 



From the above analysis it is evident that the leaves contain a 

 great deal of water, and on the basis of dr}^ matter are relatively 

 rich in protein and ash and poor in fiber. The leaves contain 

 from 20 to 37.7 per cent of their nitrogen in the form of amids. 

 The ash contains a large amount of oxalic acid (3.5 per cent of 

 the dry matter), and in the extract matter varying amounts of 

 dextrose and laevulose have been recognized. 



According to F. Lehmann,'' sheep digest 61 per cent of the 

 crude protein, 52 per cent of the fat and 75 per cent of the extract 

 matter. 



How to Feed the Leaves. 



Beet leaves are best suited for dairy cows and for fattening 

 cows and steers. They are less suited for young stock, swine, 

 horses and sheep. Fed in too liberal quantities they have a de- 

 cidedly laxative effect, and likewise cause indigestion. This is 

 due to the oxalic acid and inorganic ash constituents. The same 

 bacteria which in the paunch of the bovine produces lactic acid, 

 act to an extent upon the oxalic acid and partially decompose it. 



' E. Pott, Handbuch der Thier. Ernahrung, etc., Zweite Auflage, II, Bd. S. 201. 

 2 See E, Pott, already cited, p. 202. 



