116 FEEDING WITH SUGAR BEETS, SUGAR, ETC. 



being in any way affected. The example may be cited of a Ger- 

 man farmer who fed his milch cows very extensively with beet 

 leaves, and with surprising results, for the flow of milk increased 

 and the quality was satisfactory, containing 4 per cent, of fatty 

 substances. It is to be noted that during the early period of 

 feeding there is always a diarrhoea, which lasts for about three 

 weeks, and the animal fed has a very debilitated appearance; 

 then there follows a reaction for the better and the fattening is 

 very rapid. Beeves fed for two to three months on beet leaves 

 and tops increased considerably in weight. Under no circum- 

 stances should leaves be fed to cattle or sheep during the period 

 of gestation. Working oxen, after beet harvesting, prefer beet 

 leaves and tops to almost any other kind of fodder. Farmers 

 who have the slightest apprehension as to the feeding of beet 

 leaves to cattle should give the product a trial in combination 

 with chopped straw, etc. , to which may also be added certain oil 

 cakes. If the ratio'n consists of f leaves and J tops, about 60 

 Ibs. may be fed per 1000 Ibs. live weight; if only 30 Ibs. are 

 fed, then it is desirable to add hay, straw and about 6 Ibs. of oil 

 cake. 



As a ration one may give to cattle the combination proposed 

 by Grouven: For heavy cattle 40 Ibs. of soured leaves and the 

 same quantity of soured cossettes, 3 Ibs. of colza oil cake and 

 6 Ibs. of hay. 



Money value of When one discusses the money value of beet leaves and tops 

 beet leaves and f rom a feeding standpoint their digestibility must be taken into 

 account. While it is admitted that all the nutrients these con- 

 tain are digestible, it is thought desirable to deduct 20 per cent, 

 from their supposed money value. 



Upon general principles it may be admitted that the tops are 

 twice as nourishing as the leaves. All calculations made the 

 tops and leaves worth in Germany about 8.25 cents per 100 Ibs. 

 or $1.80 per ton, about 88 to the acre. 



In order to show the economical advantages of the utilization 

 of beet leaves it is interesting to give as an example Germany, 

 where 440,000 hectares, 1,100,000 acres, of beets are harvested, 

 and where they do not rely upon more than two tons of dried 

 leaves per hectare, which are worth 80 marks per ton, the value 



