19 ii.] Molasses and Sugar Foods for Live Stock, ioi 
glutamic acic, leucine, and, above all, betaine — have an 
irritant effect upon the digestive and excretory apparatus, 
and tend to cause scouring and an increased secretion of urine. 
This laxative effect is very noticeable, in fact, with some kinds 
of molasses, and may be traced to various causes. The sugar 
itself is probably the main cause, for it is well known that 
it has this effect; and added to this is the irritation due to 
the amides, as well as that due to the salts, particularly in the 
case of beet molasses. These salts, which are of an alkaline 
nature, and are principally potash salts of organic acids, are 
recognised as having an irritating action upon the kidneys, 
which causes more urine to be secreted, and so the animal 
" stales " more frequently than it otherwise would. With cane 
sugar molasses the irritant effect is less noticeable, although 
the sugar still exercises a laxative action. 
There is no fat in molasses, or, at most, only a trace, so 
that the actual food nutrients in molasses itself are the 
nitrogen-free extract substances, principally sugars, and some 
10 per cent, of amides, the feeding value of which is question- 
able, and probably ought not to be reckoned superior to the 
nitrogen-free extract substances themselves. 
The percentage of water in molasses is of importance, for 
frequently the amount exceeds that given in the analyses 
already quoted, and if so, not only is the buyer likely to be 
defrauded, but the molasses is then very liable to ferment 
and become worthless as a food. Molasses is often, in fact, 
made more fluid, and so easier to handle, by blowing steam 
into it, which may be done to such an extent that the percent- 
age of water may be raised to 30 per cent, or more. 
As regards the feeding of molasses there is ample proof 
that in moderate quantities it is a useful and economical 
food for all classes of stock. By gradually accustoming the 
animals to its use, it is possible to feed large amounts at 
a time without causing scouring, although the laxative 
effect is certain to be noticed. It is stated that fattening cattle 
may be fed as much as 8 lb. per day per 1,000 lb. live weight, 
but it is questionable if these large quantities are economical, 
in view of the fact that when an excessive amount of carbo- 
hydrate material is given the digestibility of the other consti- 
tuents of the ration is lowered. 
