208 



3IA]SrUxVL OF OATTLE-FEKDING. 



the quality far better, as shown by the percentage of pro- 

 tein, but the absohite quantity both of protein and of dry 

 matter per acre was nearly one-half greater. When we 

 take into account the gi*eater digestibility of the young 

 hay, the gain becomes still larger. Numerous similar ex- 

 periments have been made with clover, and these will be 

 mentioned in the next section. One made by Weiske, in 

 Proskau,^ on a mixture of grass and clover, may be de 

 scribed here. It is of especial interest because the digest- 

 ibility of the fodder was determined by direct experiments 

 on sheep. 



A iield was sown with a mixture of clover and grass 

 seed, and divided into two equal portions. 



In the time from April 2J:th to August 24:th, the yoimg 

 vegetation on one half of the field was plucked by hand 

 thirteen times, in imitation of the effects of pasturage, 

 wliile the other half was mown twice. 



The following table gives in pounds per Prussian Ifo?'- 

 geiiy first, the total yield of the several nutrients, and sec- 

 ond, the amounts of digestible nutrients obtained. 



Total Yield. 



Plucked. . . . 

 Mown twice. 



Dry 



Bttbbtauce. 

 Lbs. 



2,1^2 

 a,392 



Protein. 

 Lbi9. 



485 



Cmde fibre. 

 Lbs. 



355 

 899 



Nitrojfcn-frco 



extract, 



and fat, 



LbH, 



1,002 



1,707 





Digestible. 







Plucked 



1,457 

 2,01G 



450 

 307 



239 

 444 



768 



1,204 



— „„. It 



Mown twice 





* Wolff, '^ Ernahrung Landw. Nutzthiere/' p. 108. 



