22 EXPP:RLMENT station. [Jan. 



composed of about 25 per cent, water, 6 to 7 per cent, ash, 2 to 

 3 per cent, crude protein, and the balance — 65 to 67 per cent. 

 — sugars and allied substances. The chief constituent of the 

 ash is potash (3 to 5 per cent.). The crude protein consists 

 largely of amid bodies, which do not serve the same purpose 

 as true protein. Fiber and fat are naturally not present. 



Molasses has the same type of composition as corn meal, both 

 being low in protein and very high in carbohydrates. The dry 

 matter of molasses differs chemically from corn meal in con- 

 taining less protein with an inferior nutritive value, more ash, 

 and in having its extract matter in the form of sugars rather 

 than starch. 



Relative Value of Molasses and Corn Meal. 



Allowing a ton of Porto Ttico feed molasses to contain 1,100 

 pounds and a ton of corn meal to contain 1,470 pounds of di- 

 gestible organic matter, if the latter i*etailed at $30 a ton the 

 molasses would be worth $22.50 a ton, or molasses would have 

 75 per cent, of the value of corn meal as a source of digestible 

 carbohydrates.^ 



The Use of Molasses. 



For Dairy Stocl-. — The station has conducted experiments 

 with molasses for dairv stock. The animals were in e'ood health 

 at the beginning of the experiments and no particularly favor- 

 able effect of the molasses was noted. A ration composed of 3 

 pounds wdieat bran, 1 pound cotton-seed meal and 3 pounds 

 molasses proved a desirable one. The molasses can be diluted 

 somewhat with water and mixed with the bran and cotton-seed 

 meal, or considerably diluted and sprinkled over the roughage, 

 or given in water as a drink. Being very deficient in protein 

 it must be fed with feeds rich in that ingredient, such as bran, 

 malt sprouts, brewers' dried grains, cotton-seed meal and gluten 

 feed. The writer would make the following general statement: 

 There is no particular advantage to he gained hy northern farm- 

 ers from the use of molasses as a food, for dairy stock in the 

 place of corn meal and similar carlioli yd rates. As an appetizer 



1 Tlie partu'iilarly favorable effect which inolasses is siiiiposod to liavc upon the gem-nil 

 health of the aiiiinjil \h not incliidcrt in the above calculations; neither itoes the laek of iii"o- 

 tein as coniparetl with corn meal nor the extra cost and bother of handling molasses enter 

 into the calculations. 



