112 THE SUGAR INDUSTRY. 
been to find a proper fodder with which to mix the molasses in order to counteract 
the purging effect which molasses alone (or in conjunction with some other feeding 
stuffs) exercises on cattle when fed with it, even in small quantities. The latter 
difficulty has apparently been met by mixing the molasses with a dust or mull ob- 
tained from the moss turf that grows on peat. This moss turf is obtained by being 
torn up or teased out by a machine for making moss litter called a ‘‘Wolf.’’ It is 
taken from the upper strata of high-lying peat moors, and consists largely of the dried 
but non-decomposed fiber of the plants Sphagnum cuspidatum and Eriophorum lati- 
folium. The acids contained in this moss turf seem to neutralize the salts in the mo- 
lasses and render them harmless, thus counteracting the severe purging caused by 
molasses alone. It is not claimed that this peat stuff itself has any direct feeding 
value, its usefulness being confined to neutralizing the laxity of the molasses. About 
35 lbs of this stuff is used with 65 lbs of molasses, though the proportions vary, and 
there are several patent processes. The stuff has to be mixed with the molasses while 
hot. It is being largely fed in Germany, where great claims are made for it, though 
some feeders dispute these assertions. It is claimed to be much cheaper than the 
best fat-producing foods, keeps the animal in health, is a good substitute for bran, 
gives a glossy appearance to the skin, improves quality and quantity of milk, in- 
creases weight and improves flavor of meat and can be stored an unlimited time. 
The average American farmer will not use any such material. He can, however, 
mix molasses with cut straw or hay. German experience indicates that the use of 
molasses in this way increases the amount of actual food elements in the fodder that 
are digested. The straw is cut into short chaff and the molasses poured over it, 
which is first thinned a little with water. To every 100 lbs of chaff, add 20 Ibs of 
molasses. Feed with 15 ibs of cottonseed meal or linseed meal or a larger quantity of 
wheat bran. After cows get used to it they will consume daily 20 lbs per head of 
this straw chaff with a relish, besides uncut straw and other coarse stuff. The results 
are most satisfactory. This feed has been found to be most excellent for sheep, 
hogs, cattle and even horses, but with all stock the feeding with molasses should be- 
gin with very small doses. Increase the molasses ration very gradually. 
Mr R. M. Allen, who, as manager cf the Standard Feeding Co, Nebraska, speaks. 
from long experience in the feeding of beets, necks and tops, says: ‘‘I regard it as 
probable that the profit derived from feeding the waste products of the factory and 
those parts of the beet left in the field will be almost as great as the profit from the 
manufacture of sugar. Cattle feeding is a branch of the business that I consider al- 
most as important as sugar manufacture. ”’ 
PESTS OF THE BEET. 
Thus far the most serious obstacles to the production of large quantities of rich 
beets in the United States have been unfavorable climatic conditions, too much or 
too little rain or drouth, early frosts, too little sunshine with unseasonable weather 
during the growing and harvesting period. What can be done to mitigate these natu- 
ral conditions has been considered in the previous pages. Thus far the crop has not 
suffered materially from blights or other fungus pests. Beets are sometimes hollow 
in the center and in that case lack both weight and quality, but this trouble mainly 
