VELVET BEAN FEED FOR FARM STOCK. 



63 



and climatic conditions, as well as its suitability as a pasture crop, source 

 of roughage, its value as silage and as a soil renovator.^ Such informa- 

 tion has a more particular value for parties residing in those States where 

 the plant can be grown advantageously. Several experiments are also on 

 record describing the feeding value of the ground bean and pods, and one 

 experiment on its digestibility. 



Inasmuch as the velvet bean feed (pods and beans) may become dis- 

 tributed in Massachusetts, experiments were undertaken at this station, 

 particularly with reference to its digestibility and its suitability as a food 

 for dairy stock, pigs and horses. 



B. Composition of Velvet Bean Feed. 



Num- 

 ber of 

 Analy- 

 ses. 



Water. 



Ash. 



Protein. 



Fiber. 



Extract. 



Fat. 



Velvet bean feed, 



Wheat bran (for comparison), 



3 

 116 



11.31 

 10.00 



4.57 

 6.20 



16.66 

 16.10 



12.71 

 10.00 



50.66 

 53.30 



4.09 

 4.40 



The feed resembles wheat bran in chemical composition. It has slightly 

 more protein, considerably more fiber, due to the presence of the bean 

 pods, and somewhat less extract matter than wheat bran. 



C. Digestibility of Velvet Bean Feed. 



Two duplicate experiments were made with two different pairs of sheep. 

 Two sheep were fed daily 550 grams of hay and 250 grams of the bean 

 feed, and two other sheep 600 grams of hay and 200 grams of the feed. 

 The results of the trials giving the amounts of the several constituents 

 digested (digestion coeflacients) are here stated, but the details of the ex- 

 periments will be published elsewhere. 



Results {Digestion Coefficients). 



• Farmers' Bulletins Nos. 300 and 962; Georgia Experiment Station Bulletin No. 129; Journal 

 of Agricultural Research, Vol. XIII, No. 12, p. 611 ; Florida Experiment Station Bulletin No. 102. 



