FEEDING VALUE OF GRASS.
Grasses of many kinds are used for pastur age, for soiling, and for hay. They constitute a very important group of feeding stuff for all farm animals.. The feeding value of grasses commonly used for forage is shown by the aver age percentage composition of the following kinds: Kentucky blue grass contains: Water, 65.1 per cent.; protein, 4.1 per cent.; fat, 1.3 per cent.; nitrogen-free extract, 17.6 per cent.; crude fibre, 9.1 per cent.; ash, 2.8 per cent. Fescue contains: Water, 69.9 per cent.; protein, 2.4 per cent.; fat, 0.8 per cent.; nitrogen-free extract, 14.3 per cent.; crude fibre, 10.8 per cent.; ash, 1.8 per cent. Timothy (a hay grass) contains: Water, 61.6 per cent.; protein, 3.1 per cent.; fat, 1.2 per cent.; nitrogen-free extract, 20.3 per cent.; crude fibre, 11.8 per cent.; ash, 2.1 per cent. It will be seen that the three examples selected do not differ markedly in composition, and other grasses resemble them more or less closely.
Experiment has shown that about 64 per cent. of the total dry matter, 48 per cent. of the protein, 66 per cent, of the nitrogen-free extract, and 56 ģer cent. of the crude fibre of timothy is digested. Similar results have been obtained with other grasses. It may therefore be said that, judged by palatability, composition, and digestibility, grass fully deserves the high opinion in which it is held as a green fodder.
Like most green feeds, grasses have a high water content. Their feeding value depends largely upon the carbohydrates present (both nitrogen-free extract and crude fibre), though they also furnish an appreciable amount of pro tein. Like other succulent feeds, grasses have a value other than that derived from their com position, viz. they stimulate the appetite. The plant continues to elaborate nutritive material until it has perfected its seeds. The plant then `ripens'; that is, it ceases to form new nutritive material and by the action of rain, dew, sun light, etc., loses more or less of that already formed. There may also be transfer of nutritive material from the stalks to the root. Some grasses, such as Bermuda grass, continue to grow throughout the season. Other grasses, e.g. buffalo grass, cure in their natural habitat with out appreciable loss of nutritive material. Most pasture, lawn, and hay grasses make new growth if cut or eaten off by stock. See PASTURES, PAS TURAGE; SOILING; SOILING CROPS.