1904.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 77 



ration, giving a nutritive ration of 1 : 4, has resulted in in- 

 creasing tlie digestibility of the fiber in the hay; which ac- 

 counts, in the majority of eases, for the apparently very higli 

 digestion coetiicients obtained. Admitting this to be the 

 case, the fact still remains that, while the digestion coefficient 

 for the fiber is rather of an uncertain ([uantity, it must be 

 regarded as relatively high. 



(e) The extract matter digested in the several samples 

 differed to a noticeable extent, dei)ending probably ui)on the 

 nature of the material composing it, the way in which it is 

 united with the crude fiber, and also upon the digestive 

 capacity of the sheep. Other things being equal, animals in 

 normal condition should digest su})stantially equal quantities 

 of the same feed stuff, when fed under similar conditions. 

 It often happens, however, that one or the other animal will 

 be a trifle out of condition Avithout giving any external evi- 

 dence of it, and hence will digest rather more of one fodder 

 group and less of another. 



Attention is called to the fact that the higher the diges- 

 tion coefficients obtained for the fiber, the higher are those 

 obtained for the extract. This is undoubtedly due to the 

 intimate chemical and physiological relations known to exist 

 between these tAvo fodder groups. 



{/) The fat w^as quite evenly and largely digested. 

 Dried Brewers' Grains. — These were grains of good 

 quality, and of a fresh, bright color. Sheep I. showed its 

 inability to digest the fiber and extract matter as Avell as the 

 other sheep, and even Sheep II. did not utilize the fiber as 

 well as Sheep III. The average coefficients for the three 

 sheep corresponded ({uite well with former experiments made 

 at this station, and also with German experiments ; except- 

 inof that in case of the American tests the coefficients for the 

 protein and fiber are somewhat higher, and the extract mat- 

 ter 4 per cent, lower. 



Malt Sjtrouls. — These were of average quality. They 

 contained an exceptionally large portion of their nitrogen, 

 42.29 per cent., in the form of amids. The experiment 

 was conducted with three sheep, but Sheep I. and Sheep II. 

 digested so much less fiber and extract matter than is cus- 



