2^ N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 158 



ever, beginning to realize that while the amount of 

 protein and fat is important, at the same time the carbo- 

 hydrates are also very important and in many classes of 

 feeding-stuffs form the chief source of value. 



MOISTURE. 



Water is present to some extent in all classes of feeds. 

 The per cent, in most cases varies between five and fifteen. 

 The amount varies with the nature of the feed, the 

 process of manufacture, and the manner of storage. 



ASH. 



The ash of a feed is the residue left after burning off 

 the organic matter. It is the inorganic or mineral con- 

 stituent of the plant. This part of the feed furnishes the 

 material for the bones of the animal. 



CRUDE PROTEIN. 



By crude protein is meant that portion of a feeding- 

 stuff which contains nitrogen. Nitrogenous feeds build 

 up muscular tissue and are of the greatest importance in 

 determining the value of a feed. 



CRUDE FAT. 



The term crude fat is rather arbitrarily used to include 

 all the substances of the feed soluble in dry ether or simi- 

 lar solvents. They are the pure fats, such as cottonseed 

 oil, linseed oil, etc., and the waxes, resins, chlorophyl, etc. 

 These latter substances are generally so small in amount 

 that for practical purposes the ether extract of a feed 

 represents the amount of fat which it contains. The fats 

 furnish fuel and are readily digested by the animal. 



