20 



Molasses, Grain and Hay. 



Beginning, 

 End, - - 



1270 

 1285 



1290 

 1300 



1370 

 1345 



1230 

 1250 



+20 



The horses appeared to have lost slightly in live weight while on 

 the full grain ration and to have made a slight gain while receiving 

 the ration containing molasses. It is evident, however, that the 

 total nutrients in each of the rations were sufificient to substantially 

 maintain them in equilibrium. The work performed was very irreg- 

 ular ; some days they would be engaged in drawing moderate loads 

 from four to seven hours, and at other times they would remain in 

 the stable the entire day. The drivers repeatedly noted and called 

 attention to the fact that the horses receiving the molasses ration 

 were logy and lacked the life of those receiving the full grain. This 

 condition was attributed to the effect of the molasses. 



By referring to the digestible nutrients in both rations it will be 

 observed that the molasses ration contained less than one pound of 

 digestible protein per loco pounds live weight; furthermore, by 

 observing the feeding standards established by the several investiga- 

 tors (page 19) it will be seen that the minimum protein standard 

 called for by Lavalard is i.i pounds daily, and that the general 

 average for light work of all American experiments is one pound 

 daily. It seems probable, therefore, that the logy condition noted 

 was not due primarily to the molasses, nor to the insufficiency of the 

 total nutrients, but to the lack of digestible protein in the ratio?i, and this 

 it is believed is the teaching of the experiment. 



The several horses were in good condition at the beginning of the 

 trial and no particular effect, favorable or otherwise, excepting the 

 logy condition referred to, was noticed from the four pounds daily of 

 Porto Rico molasses. The faeces maintained their normal condition 

 in all cases. It is evident that the amount of molasses was out of 

 proportion to the amount of grain fed. 



In spite of the many reports favorable to the use of molasses 

 for horses, the writer is not inclined to recommend to Northern 

 farmers its indiscriminate use in place of the cereals and their 

 by-products. As an appetizer and tonic for horses out of condi- 

 tion, as a colic preventative and for improving the palatability 



