SUCCULENT FORAGE 5 



tant in soiling crops, but it cannot take the place 

 of actual nutrition; therefore, in measuring the 

 value of crops for soiling, those that produce the 

 largest quantity of actual food per acre should be 

 given the preference, other things being equal. In 

 other words, the value of a forage crop is measured 

 by the dry matter, or food -substance other than 

 water, and not by the ton basis without regard to 

 the percentage of dry matter. It has been shown, 

 for example, that certain of the crops which have 

 their origin in hot climates make enormous yields, 

 as teosinte and Pearl millet, yet the actual nutri- 

 ment produced by them in a short period is rela- 

 tively much less than from corn or some other 

 crops whose natural habitat is the temperate zone. 

 In many cases, one ton of corn, when in a state 

 suitable for use as green forage or soiling, will con- 

 tain twice as much dry matter or digestible nutri- 

 ents as two tons of these crops which grow much 

 more luxuriantly and are apparently superior 

 sources of food -supply. 



In comparing the values of different forage 

 crops, the character of the nutritious materials of 

 the dry matter contained in them should not be for- 

 gotten, and the influence of these in the nourish- 

 ment of the animal. It has been very clearly shown 

 by nutrition investigations that nutrient sub- 

 stances in feeds are of two general groups or classes : 

 (1) Those containing a relatively large percentage 



