32 MAINE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 



Bulletin Xo. 47. 



WHEAT OFFALS SOLD IN MAIXE IX 1898. 

 Chas. D. Woods. 



The refuse products in the miUing- of wheat are very import- 

 ant cattle foods. W^ith the exception of Indian corn, whole and 

 ground, there is probably no other class of foods used so largely 

 in this State as food for dairy stock. All of the milling products 

 of wheat are, under the law, exempt from inspection. In order 

 that the character of these feeds might be investigated, the Sta- 

 tion inspectors were directed in January and again in X^ovember, 

 1898, to take samples of all the distinct brands of brans, mid- 

 dlings, mixed feeds, and kindred substances they might find 

 exposed for sale. x\bout 150 samples were collected. As this 

 class of feeds are, in addition to their mineral matters, of chief 

 Importance as a source of nitrogen, only the protein was deter- 

 mined in them. All suspicious samples were examined under 

 the microscope, but in no instance was foreign matter found that 

 indicated adulteration. In a few cases oat and barley hulls were 

 observed but in no greater amount than sometimes occurs in 

 wheat. 



The class of mill products that are particularly deceptive and 

 which seem to be the "catch all" are the so-called middlings. 

 From poorer in protein than the poorest brans, they are in some 

 instances better than the high grade feed flours. Some of these 

 are apparently mixed with nearly worthless refuse materials 

 while others are strictly high grade goods. X^o one can afford 

 to buy this class of goods unless their quality is guaranteed. 

 Middlings that carry 18 to 20 per cent of protein are very desir- 

 able as a feed, but those that carry only 12 or 13 are little better 

 than oat hulls. L'nfortunately there seems to be no relation 

 between the price asked and the true feeding value. The dealers 

 in these goods profess to know nothing of their composition. 

 The protection alike of dealers and consumers seems to demand 

 that this class of feeds be placed under the requirements of the 

 feeding stufif law. 



