270 FEEDING WITH SUGAR BEETS, SUGAR, ETC. 



Bran and A mixture that is frequently recommended contains 50 parts 

 molasses com- bran and 50 parts molasses. The molasses is heated to 80-88 C. 

 bination. before adding the bran and the residuum is rapidly absorbed. 

 Bran may be used in any and all rations. 



Professor Maercker, some time since, undertook some special 

 experiments upon twenty -four steers with the idea of determin- 

 ing the value of the molasses combinations. The animals were 

 divided into four groups, all receiving the same quantity of 

 Bran compared digestible nutrients per 1,000 kilos live weight, viz.: 3 kilos 

 with peat. Q f djgegtible protein and 15 kilos of digestible non-nitrogenous 

 substances. Two groups of steers, one in the stable and the 

 other in the yard, received the peat-molasses rations; the two 

 others the bran-molasses ration. The conclusion was that the 

 bran-molasses was superior to the peat-molasses; consequently 

 the high-priced peat product may be advantageous!}^ replaced 

 by the bran mixture. However, it was claimed that peat had 

 special physiological advantages, which the leading authorities 

 have never been able to account for. 



Moss molasses Among the original efforts at introducing molasses for cattle 

 combination, feeding is the attempt at combining the residuum with certain 

 mosses of the Sphagnum variety. The important advantage 

 claimed is that the substance in question has the special absorb- 

 ing powers so much sought after when cattle feeding is the 

 object in view. This moss is composed of nearly pure cellulose. 

 It may be taken from the prairies in its natural state, and grows 

 again almost immediately after a crop is gathered. Before be- 

 ing used the moisture should be removed by means of an ordi- 

 nary hay press, and the cakes thus obtained be subsequently 

 air dried. It is possible to dry it just as hay is dried. It is 

 delivered to the factory in this desiccated condition, and is then 

 chopped up into small particles and mixed thoroughly, by 

 hand or mechanically, with 6 or 8 times its weight of molasses. 

 It is then stored in a dry loft, and before being fed to cattle is 

 mixed with cereal w r aste, chopped straw r , palm oil cake, corn 

 flour, rice flour, or other substances that the local environment 

 may offer. In order to obtain the cake-like product one pound 

 of moss is mixed with 25 Ibs. of any of the substances just 

 mentioned, and molasses added. Attention may be called to 



