448 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



secured in the course of time to encourage the use of the 

 adopted methods of observation, and to impart to many of 

 the conclusions arrived at, a just claim for a serious consid- 

 eration on the part of practical agriculturalists. The fact 

 that much needs still to be learned to meet the reasonable 

 expectations of those engaged in the development of a more 

 economical sj'stera of feeding farm live-stock cannot be con- 

 sidered a valid reason why we should not make an intelligent 

 use of what we have learned. 



The chemical analysis of a fodder article is carried on 

 with a view to determine the quantity of each group of its 

 constituents, which is considered an essential ingredient of 

 a complete food for the support of animal life. Our modes 

 of analyzing articles of fodder are practically the same, 

 wherever this work is carried out intelligently. The results 

 obtained are, therefore, applicable for the determining of a 

 comparative value wherever the identity of the material can 

 be established. 



The actual results of the analysis are usually reported 

 under the following headings : — 



1. Amount of moisture lost at 110° C, or 230° F., and 

 amount of dry matter left behind. 



2. Amount of mineral matter left behind after a careful 

 incineration of the material. 



3. Amount of organic nitrogenous matter, commonly 

 called crude protein. 



4. Amount of non-nitrogenous organic matter, exclusive 

 of fat and of coarse cellulose substances. 



The entire mass which any fodder substance leaves behind 

 after being heated at one hundred and ten degrees, Centi- 

 grade thermometer, is called dry matter. An increase in 

 dry substance in case of any plant or part of plant at the 

 same stage of growth, indicates usually a higher feeding 

 value. To satisfy the cravings of the animal, a certain 

 quantity or bulk of coarse, dry matter becomes an impor- 

 tant consideration in making up the fodder rations for differ- 

 ent classes of animals. In raising young stock for fattening 

 purposes, a liberal supply is also desirable, to effect a 

 proper distension of the digestive organs, to make them 

 good feeders hereafter. 



