William Godden

The digestibility of straw after treatment with soda

The use of straw as fodder is beset by the double difficulty that on the one hand its bulky character seriously limits the extent to which it can be consumed by the animal, whilst on the other hand its tough and fibrous nature entails such a heavy expenditure of energy to secure the high degree of comminution and further preparation essential for effective action of the digestive agents that only a comparatively small surplus of energy remains over to serve productive nutritional ends. Thus it was found by Kellner and Kohler in the case of oat straw that of the total energy contained in the straw only 35·8 per cent, was usefully digested, whilst only 12·9 per cent, could be applied after digestion to productive purposes. For wheat straw the corresponding proportions were 31·1 per cent, and 5·5 per cent, respectively. These may be contrasted with the proportions of 49 per cent, and 20·7 per cent, respectively found by the same observers for meadow hay; and the proportions of 74·9 per cent, and 45·9 per cent, respectively found by Armsby and Fries for maize meal.

Notes on the drainage from tower silos

In a recent paper dealing with the changes which occur during the ensilage of oats and tares, Amos and Woodman (1) indicate that drainage is an important source of loss during ensilage and record that the drainage liquid has been found to contain varying quantities, between 4 and 10 per cent., of soluble material. No analysis of this soluble material is given.

Digestibility of peat moss after treatment with acid

In connection with the experiments described in the foregoing paper the opportunity was taken of determining the digestibility of a proprietary product suggested for use as a feeding-stuff, which was made by subjecting finely-shredded peat moss to the action of hydrochloric acid gas, and subsequently expelling the latter from the residual product. By this treatment appreciable quantities of reducing sugars are produced in the peat moss, amounting in some cases, it is claimed, to 15 or even 20 per cent.