SUCCULENT FORAGE 5 
tant in soiling crops, but it cannot take the place 
of actual nutrition; therefore, in measuring the 
value of crops for soiling, those that produce the 
largest quantity of actual food per acre should be 
given the preference, other things being equal. In 
other words, the value of a forage crop is measured 
by the dry matter, or food-substance other than 
water, and not by the ton basis without regard to 
the percentage of dry matter. It has been shown, 
for example, that certain of the crops which have 
their origin in hot climates make enormous yields, 
as teosinte and Pearl millet, yet the actual nutri- 
ment produced by them in a short period is rela- 
tively much less than from corn or some other 
crops whose natural habitat is the temperate zone. 
In many cases, one ton of corn, when in a state 
suitable for use as green forage or soiling, will con- 
tain twice as much dry matter or digestible nutri- 
ents as two tons of these crops which grow much 
more luxuriantly and are apparently superior 
sources of food-supply. 
In comparing the values of different forage 
crops, the character of the nutritious materials of 
the dry matter contained in them should not be for- 
gotten, and the influence of these in the nourish- 
ment of the animal. It has been very: clearly shown 
by nutrition investigations that nutrient sub- 
stances in feeds are of two general groups or classes: 
(1) Those containing a relatively large percentage 
