MANUAL OF OxVITLE-FEKDING. 821 



Tlio fow analyses of ensi]a<>;e which we possess show 

 that, like corn fodder, it is rich in non-nitrogenous nutri- 

 ents and poor in protein, requiring the addition of a bye- 

 fodder rich in protein in order to produce the best re- 

 sults. 



In conclusion, it may be added that in some cases inju- 

 rious effects have been observed to result from too great 

 acidity of the fermented fodder — a fault easily remedied 

 by the addition of a little pulverized chalk. 



g 5. Tors OF Boot Obops. 



Composition. — The leaves of the various root crops are 

 very watery, but their dry matter is usually rich in nitrog- 

 enous matters, and contains but a small percentage of 

 crude fibre. On the other hand, much of their nitrogen 

 appears to be i]i the form of non-protein, and the leaves of 

 mangolds and sugar beets in particular possess strong pur- 

 gative properties, owing to the large proportion of salts and 

 of organic acids which they contain. Consequently they 

 must be fed with caution. German authorities recommend 

 that they be treated by ensilage, and used in small quanti- 

 ties as an addition to winter fodder. Carrot and turnip 

 tops possess the injurious property just named to a less 

 degree. 



DigestiMlit3r. — Experiments by "Wildt ^ on the digesti- 

 bility of fei*mented beet leaves, when fed with barley 

 straw to sheep, showed that they had a fair degree of 

 digestibility^— 57 per cent, of the total organic uiatter and 

 65 per cent, of the protein being digested. 



Potato tops were found to be much less digestible. The 

 latter, however, can hardly be accounted a f eeding-&tuff ; 



*Landw. Jalirbucker, VII. ^ 133. 



