DISHONEST DEALINGS IN MOLASSES. 289 



the latter never finding an equivalent for his money; but manu- 

 facturers of this molasses forage combination declare that the 

 disappearance of the sugar does not necessarily signify that the 

 forage has lost its nutritive value. 



The money value of the nitrogenous substances of molasses is 

 also a factor which has a pecuniary import not yet settled in 

 practice. Furthermore, it is important to add that the analyses 

 of molasses forages are very difficult operations. 



According to Gormermann, it is mainly in oil cake feeds that 

 rapid alterations are to be found. The acids contained in differ- 

 ent substances with which the molasses is mixed favor all sorts 

 of fermentations. The acid in distillers' and brewers' slops is 

 lactic acid. In oil cake it is oleic acid, while in peat there is a 

 long series of acids, the principal one of which is humic acid. 



As regards brewers' slops, it would be useless to attempt to 

 neutralize it in order to increase its keeping qualities, as it is 

 precisely this acidity that is so much relished by the animals to 

 which it is fed. Oil cake has the advantage that the oleic acid 

 which always brings about digestive complications is neutralized 

 by the addition of lime and molasses. It must be noted that 

 this addition of lime does not entirely do away with the action 

 of certain micro-organisms of oil cake upon the fatty sub- 

 stances which they contain. The existing acids are neutralized, 

 but if one wishes to do away entirely with these micro-organic 

 transformations it is essential not to attempt the keeping" of this 

 special forage. 



Molasses forages in Europe have a disadvantage of being ex- Dishonest <f ea |. 

 pensive, on account of the industry, in many cases, being in the ings in molasses, 

 hands of a very few. who thus make their own prices. In 

 order to avoid the frauds committed by the middle-man, it is 

 found preferable for the purchaser, who is the user, to deal 

 directly with the manufacturer, whereby one is more sure of 

 what is being bought. The appearance of this fodder, or even 

 its odor, does not enable one to distinguish within what limits 

 organic transformations have taken place, and if one is depend- 

 ent on the dealer it is recommended to have the product 

 properly analyzed by a competent chemist. Both analytical 

 and microscopical analyses should be made. Unfortunately 

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