55 



noted in any of the other feeds. It can be obtained at a much lower 

 cost in the form of finely crushed oyster shell, gravel or coarse sand. 



Thirty samples of scratching grains, two samples of buckwheat 

 and one sample of wheat screenings are reported. The Globe Scratch 

 Feed was the only sample found to contain grit and oyster shells. 

 A sample of the same brand collected later was free from these ma- 

 terials. Geeen's, Purina and Standard brands contained an ob- 

 jectionable amount of weed seed. The seeds most generally used 

 in compounding these scratching grains are corn, Kafifir corn, wheat, 

 barley, oats, buckwheat and sunflower. Peas, charcoal, millet, 

 cracked linseed cake, grit, oyster shells, flax seed, rye, wheat screen- 

 ings, milo maize, hulled oats and meat scrap were also found in 

 some of the samples. The price asked averaged about $2 per hundred. 

 A mixture consisting of ^ cracked corn, }( wheat and ^ barley 

 would probably be as satisfactory, and would not cost over $1.75 

 per hundred if home mixed. 



Nine samples of alfalfa meal and two samples 



Alfalfa Meal. of cut clover are reported. The better grades 

 Page 37. of alfalfa and clover meals should not contain 



over 25 per cent of fiber. Two of the samples 

 contained over 30 per cent, indicating that they were over-ripe when 

 cut or else many of the leaves had been lost through faulty curing. 

 Early cut clover or alfalfa carefully dried makes an excellent food 

 for winter feeding. 



WEED SEEDS IN MOLASSES FEEDS, 



Since the advent of molasses feeds and the extensive use of grain 

 screenings as a component, much has been written against their use, 

 not only on account of the possible toxic effect of the seeds, but 

 principally because of the likelihood of bringing many undesirable 

 and pernicious weeds onto the land through the medium of manure. 

 Some manufacturers state that before the seeds are used, their ger- 

 minating power has been largely destroyed. The claim is also made 

 that molasses feeds contain no more weed seeds than are often found 

 in hay and oats. Admitting the partial truth of this statement, it is 

 also true that they certainly do contain many more than the high 

 grade concentrates such as cottonseed meal, linseed meal, gluten 

 feed and the wheat by-products. On account of unfavorable 



