The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1900-05-17

An a hQAAOC1 VA Au OPOdA CAPGl1~
ments reported molasses feeds were
tested with dairy cows. No deleteri-
Gus results were noticed, even when
4 to 5 pounds of molasses was fed
daily, An extended study of the value
of molasses as part of a ration for
pigs, steers, sheep, mich cows, and
horses was recently reported in a
French agricultural journal. The prin-
cipal conclusions from the ~investiga-
ton were as follows: When molasses
formed part of the ration OF sheep,
pigs, and steers, the gains in live
weight were rapid. When molasses
was fed to mich cows the total milk
yield and the amount of fat and milk
sugar in the milk was increased. The
increase is not regarded as sufficient
to warrant the conclusion that mo-
lasses is a suitable food for mich cows.
Molasses is regarded as an excellent
food for horses. 1t was readily eaten,
and vigor and weight were maintained
when it was added to the ration. Mo-
lasses may be advantageously m
ployed for rendering inferior hay or
fodder more palatable.
The report of the Canadian Expert
mental Farms already referred to
notes briefly the successful use of mo-
lasses in fattening steers, Three to 5
pounds was fed per day, diluted some
what, and poured over the cut coarse
fodder. 1t is said the steers developed
a great liking for it, and to all appear
ances it gave good results. The test
was summed up as follows:
The most important points in favor
CT this new feeding stuff may be stated
GS follows: Cd 1t contains a large per-
centage of sugar, the most assimilable
form of carbohydrates found in cattle
feeds. This class of nutrients is used
by the animal for the production OF
energy, the maintenance Of the vital
heat, and the production of fat; (2) it
stimulates the appetite, and 60 prob
ably increases the digestibility Of the
other constituents of the ration.
In the experiments cited above beet
sugar molasses was fed. An interest
ing experiment in which cane-sugar
molasses was added to the ration of
horses was recently reported in an
Australian journal. At the Rarawah
sugar plantation in the Fiji islands
over 400 horses were satisfactorily fed
a ration containing a considerable
amount of molasses, as much as 30
pounds per head daily being fed at diff
ferent times. The ration finally adopt
ed consisted of Is pounds of molasses,
3 pounds of bran, and 4 pounds OF
maize per head daily. In addition,
green cane tops were fed. The health
of the horses remained excellent. Mo-
lasses did not cause diarrhoea, but
rather constipation, which was u
teracted by the bran fed. Feeding mo-
lasses effected a saving of over $45
per head per annum. Such a saving
was, however, believed to be possible
only by reason of the large quantities
OF waste molasses and valueless cane
tops available on the spot. The ex-
pertinent was continued for a consid-
cradle time. Some of the conclusions
drawn were as follows:
For working horses the sugar in
cane molasses is a satisfactory substi-
tute for starchy food, being readily
Q1SCSLSu anu lduol vi LIEU 1ALo WI N.
Fifteen pounds of the molasses a be
given to a 1,270-pound working horse
with advantage to the health of the
animal and to the efficiency Of its
work. 1t produces no undue fatten-
ing, s~oftness, or injury to the wind.
The high proportion of salts in it has
no injurious effect. An albuminoid
ratio as low as Ills has proved high
ly suitable for heavy continuous work
when a sufficient quantity of digestible
matter is given.
These are only a few of the tests
which might be cited. 1t is not the
purpose of this article to recommend
that molasses be generally adopted as
a feeding stuff. but rather to call the
attention of those who are interested
to the subject so that tests may be un-
dertaken or experience already gained
may be reported.