SUGAR FEEDS 171 



colour of ferric acetate is formed, changing to 

 a reddish brown precipitate of the basic 

 acetate on boiling. 



During the preparation of ensilage the green fodder loses a 

 large proportion of its weight. The sugars disappear almost 

 completely and the proteins are lessened considerably, largely by 

 change into amides and amino acids. The changes occurring during 

 the preparation of ensilage may be followed by analysis conducted 

 in the ordinary way, if representative samples of the green material 

 and the silage are obtained. 



CHAPTER XVIII 



Secondary Feeding Stuffs. Digestibility 

 Determinations 



Molasses and Molasses Feeds. 



Molasses is the residual product from the manufacture of sugar 

 from the cane or from the beet. The chief constituent is cane 

 sugar (about 50 per cent.), but dextrose and raffinose are also 

 present. Beet molasses contains a higher proportion of nitrogenous 

 matter than cane molasses ; this consists almost wholly of amides, 

 etc. A large proportion of dissolved salts brings the ash up to 7 

 or 8 per cent. 



Owing to the difficulty of handling, molasses is very frequently 

 absorbed into dry porous material like feeding meals, bran, beet 

 slices, etc., and also into more worthless and indigestible substances 

 like peat moss, spent hops, sawdust, etc. 



170. Examination of Molasses. 



(a) Moisture. — This is an estimation of importance, 

 and requiring a considerable amount of care. About 10 

 grams of molasses are weighed out accurately, dissolved 

 in water, and the solution made up to 100 c.c. ; of this 

 liquid, quantities of 20 c.c. are pipetted into weighed 



