1912.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 31. 231 



The preceding facts are substantiated bj the investigations 

 of Schweitzer/ Jordan,^ Ladd ^ and others. 



The general conclusion can be drawn that the changes in 

 chemical composition which the plant undergoes in its develop- 

 ment are such that its maximum feeding value exists at its ma- 

 turity. 



Digestibility of the Plant. 



The digestibility of 7 representative varieties of the entire 

 plant was determined with sheep. The method followed in con- 

 ducting such experiments is illustrated and described in detail 

 elsewhere.* The entire data of the several experiments have 

 been presented in previous reports ; only the digestion coeffi- 

 cients, therefore, are given in this connection. As only four 

 sheep were available, but two duplicate digestion trials could be 

 completed in a single season. The method of procedure was as 

 follows : each experiment was begun about September 5th, when 

 the sheep received their first feeding. The corn was allowed to 

 stand in the field, sufficient being cut for only two consecutive 

 days. The entire digestion period lasted fourteen days, the 

 first seven of which were preliminary. The corn was cut in 

 2-inch pieces before being fed. ■ Two days' feeding were weighed 

 out in advance, and samples taken for dry-matter determinations 

 and for complete chemical analysis. The difi^erence between 

 the amount and chemical composition of the fodder fed and the 

 amount and chemical composition of the feces excreted served 

 as a basis for computing the amoimt digested and utilized by the 

 animals. 



' Bui. No. 9, Mo. Exp. Sta. 

 5 Ann. Kept. Me. Exp. Sta., 1893. 

 = Eighth Ann. Rept. N. Y. Exp. Sta., 1899. 



'Eleventh Rept. of the Mass. State Agr. Exp. Sta., pp. 126-149; also 22d Rept. of the Mass. 

 Agr. Exp. Sta., p. 84. 



