264 FEEDING WITH SUGAR BEETS, SUGAR, ETC. 



itself does not possess any nutritive value, but diminishes the 

 feeding properties that would have otherwise existed. 

 Opinions differ Great variance of opinion exists as to the nourishing value of 



as to the value th e peat-molasses combinations; for example, Maercker says 

 of peat-molasses,, , .. , 

 for feeding same nuntive value as molasses and wheat bran; 



Jorss asserts that weight for weight it is equivalent to wheat, 

 and that, furthermore, it is much more economical, the appetite 

 of the animals fed increases, and there are no evidences of colics. 



Certain authorities, such as Gerland, Hassen, Vibrans and 

 Keller, do not favor peat-molasses. They argue that when 

 purchasing peat-molasses one pays for not only the price of the 

 molasses,, but also for the peat, which is simply ballast, and 

 does not contain protein. One is obliged also to pay for the 

 manual labor for the mixing and other expenses. 



Kellner, Zahn and Gillan show that peat, instead of possess- 

 ing a nutritive value, carried out with the excrements small 

 quantities of nutrients that would have, or at least should have, 

 been taken up or assimilated by the animal fed. Molasses 

 fodders gain nothing in nourishing value by being combined 

 with peat; hence it is urged that this product is simply a useless 

 ballast in the stomach. 



Conclusions as Peat offers advantages in more ways than one, and after 

 to value of weighing all the arguments for and against this so-called ballast 

 Masses j n t h e stomach, combined with our personal observations, the 

 conclusion is drawn that up to the present time but few sub- 

 stances have been found offering the advantages of this product. 

 It is important, notwithstanding, to pass in review the various 

 arguments brought forward. 



All the molasses fodders proposed and used have one advan- 

 tage, they are very simple, and the farmer with only a very 

 limited knowledge of the essentials for cattle feeding, may com- 

 bine his rations so as to obtain most satisfactory results. Peat, 

 as used in France, has the following composition: Water 18.90 

 per cent., ash 2.32 per cent., cellulose 13.20 per cent., pentosane 

 8.83 per cent, black substances 14.40 per cent, (containing 5.13 

 per cent, nitrogen), various nitrogenous substances (averaging 

 6.25 per cent, nitrogen) 1.80 per cent., unknown substances 

 40.5 per cent. A fact not generally known is that the nitro- 



