112 THE SUGAR INDUSTRY. 



been to find a proper fodder with which to mix the molasses in order to counteract 

 the purging effect which molasses alone (or in conjunction with some other feeding 

 stuffs) exercises on cattle when fed with it, even in small quantities. The latter 

 difficulty has apparently been met by mixing the molasses with a dust or mull ob- 

 tained from the moss turf that grows on peat. This moss turf is obtained by being 

 torn up or teased out by a machine for making moss litter called a "Wolf." It is 

 taken from the upper strata of high-lying peat moors, and consists largely of the dried 

 but non-decomposed fiber of the plants Sphagnum cuspidatum and Eriophorum lati- 

 folium. The acids contained in this moss turf seem to neutralize the salts in the mo- 

 lassss and render them harmless, thus counteracting the severe purging caused by 

 molasses alone. It is not claimed that this peat stuff itself has any direct feeding 

 value, its usefulness being confined to neutralizing the laxity of the molasses. About 

 35 Ibs of this stuff is used with 65 Ibs of molasses, though the proportions vary, and 

 there are several patent processes. The stuff has to be mixed with the molasses while 

 hot. It is being largely fed in Germany, where great claims are made for it, though 

 some feeders dispute these assertions. It is claimed to be much cheaper than the 

 best fat-producing foods, keeps the animal in health, is a good substitute for bran, 

 gives a glossy appearance to the skin, improves quality and quantity of milk, in- 

 creases weight and improves flavor of meat and can be stored an unlimited time. 



The average American farmer will not use any such material. He can, however, 

 mix molasses with cut straw or hay. German experience indicates that the use of 

 molasses in this way increases the amount of actual food elements in the fodder that 

 are digested. The straw is cut into snort chaff and the molasses poured over it, 

 which is first thinned a little with water. To every 100 Ibs of chaff, add 20 Jbs of 

 molasses. Feed with 15 ibs of cottonseed meal or linseed meal or a larger quantity of 

 wheat bran. After cows get used to it they will consume daily 20 Ibs per head of 

 this straw chaff with a relish, besides uncut straw and other coarse stuff. The results 

 are most satisfactory. This feed has been found to be most excellent for sheep, 

 hogs, cattle and even horses, but with all stock the feeding with molasses should be- 

 gin with very small doses. Increase the molasses ration very gradually. 



Mr R. M. Allen, who, as manager of the Standard Feeding Co, Nebraska, speaks 

 from long experience in the feeding of beets, necks and tops, says: "I regard it as 

 probable that the profit derived from feeding the waste products of the factory and 

 those parts of the beet left in the field will be almost as great as the profit from the 

 manufacture of sugar. Cattle feeding is a branch of the business that I consider al- 

 most as important as sugar manufacture." 



PESTS OF THE BEET. 



Thus far the most serious obstacles to the production of large quantities of rich 

 beets in the United States have been unfavorable climatic conditions, too much or 

 too little rain or drouth, early frosts, too little sunshine with unseasonable weather 

 during the growing and harvesting period. What can be done to mitigate these natu- 

 ral conditions has been considered in the previous pages. Thus far the crop has not 

 suffered materially from blights or other fungus pests. Beets are sometimes hollow 

 in the center and in that case lack both weight and quality, but this trouble mainly 



