104 



Analysis of Feeding Materials [157, 15 8 



ANALYSIS OF GRASS AND HAY 



157. These substances are not often analysed for com- 

 mercial purposes, but it is sometimes necessary for experimental 

 work to find the relative values of different samples of grass 

 and hay. A certain amount of information may be gained by 

 treating the samples as though they were oil cakes. It must 

 be remembered, however, that in the case of substances con- 

 taining green colouring matter this will be to a great extent 

 extracted by ether along with the fat. 



The method of analysis about to be described gives all the 

 information concerning a sample which is likely to be required. 



If the student reads through this description, and the 

 following one — analysis of roots — he will see that both of them 

 are very long and very tedious. He is therefore advised to 

 miss these two analyses for the present and return to them after 

 he has completed the section on manures. 



When performing the analyses many long intervals will 

 occur during which the operator has to wait. There is no 

 need to be idle, as soil analysis may be started during these 

 waits. 



158. Moisture. — It is of great importance that the water 



