During this period only about 2G percent. c£. 'table 6) of total growth for the season has occurred. Despite the fact that the best rainfall for the season was recorded for the month following the landing at the beginning of the ~£arch. However, dry matter yield in the milder cutting systems was greatly reduced during this late season period.
The last columns in the tables giving a description of the grasses as cut require explanation. From the tables in the appendix tables 8-12, the aJerage composition of the dry matter obtained under the different cutting systems 1wYe has been uploaded. However, the silira-free ash values form a reliable index of the total mineral present in the herb.
34;"With one exception, Yiz., the final cutting for lh_r;itaria species in April, 1936, the highest percentage of dry matter was obtained in grasses which grew undisturbed until the end of the season, i.e. a comparison The data for the HYO seasons (see Tables 8 to 12) show some clear differences. It should be noted that with a monthly cropping system, the net production of crude protein and phosphorus can be of the same amount as that from tlw 2-month. system .v, but.
From consideration of the clay yield data for this season (see Table 13) it appears,; that the reduced production of dry matter is mainly responsible for the lower yield of crude protein and phosphorus.
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Section B.-The Influence of Frequency of Cutting on the Digestibility and Nutritive
EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS
Although none of the animals seemed to like the ration, sheep 5 and G consumed all the food offered. A period of R to 10 clay is used for this;:; is generally applied if it is of sufficient duration in the ruminant's environment. In this way, fluctuations in dry matter intake from day to day were avoided. f) UOLLECTIOK AKD SA~IPLIKG OF THE EXCRETA.
Excreta were collected daily at 9 AM, except for the final collection, which depended on the time the animals were put to bed at the beginning of the period. The top of the crate and the animal were then pushed back into the crate. This composite sample was analyzed for nitrogen and mineral constituents at the end of the test.
Records were kept of water consumption as the tap supplied to the animals contained a certain amount of lime, so a correction had to be made in the lime intake of the animals. The sheep were fed in the morning immediately after completion of excreta collection. The influence of the stage of gro;Yth on the Jigestihility of grasses is immediately clear from a glance at table 17.
The coefficients for the materials of the season 1936-37 differ similarly, a progressive increase tal,ing place from digestion periods 5 to 9, con espondiug. It therefore appears that the apparent digestibility of the crude protein is influenced to a greater extent than the other ingredients by the maturity of the grass. In any case, the apparent digestibility of the crude protein of the tested herb samples remains an index of maturity.
More knowledge is needed regarding the actual chemical composition of the raw fiber group. Fraps (7.30 pm) investigated the digestibility by sheep of the components of the nitrogen-free extract of feeds. The average of the figures Calculated from the data of the current estimate, namely 0 · 60 lb.
However, since the sheep's wool is always growing, the thus stored nitrogen should be taken into account in the maintenance requirement. The figures provide yet another demonstration of the profound influence the frequency of mowing has on the nutritional value of grasses. YOr];ers in nutrition are no''" to make r1;;e of indirect methods for estimating the euclogenic urine;~ry faecal1Jitr.ogen.
The data on calcium balances were decidedly disappointing, as negative balances were consistently obtained despite variations in the minimum content of consumer rations.
GENERAL SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Apparently the amounts obtained from the monthly aucl :!- intennl monthly cutting and feeding periods 4 and B, and periods 3 Calcium and magnesium levels show no noticeable variation with growth stage, while the general trend of sodium in the plant decreases with age. The crude fiber varies more or less inversely with that of the protein. the content and percentage of ether-soluble extract show irregular fluctuations with variations in growth stage. The nitrogen-free extract shows little variation in grass dry matter due to different mowing treatments. 9) Overall, the dry matter content of grasses increases with age in the plant. Drought is associated with high values while suitable moisture and temperature conditions that cause active growth are favorable to low Yalues for dry matter content. Although there may be no difference in the production of crude protein and phosphorus under a monthly and a 2-monthly cutting system, a steady decrease in the production of these nutrients is indicated as the interYale between cuts becomes longer. The dry matter of 6-month-old cut herbs contained only 22 ·11 per cent. starch equivalent including 1·42 per cent. digestible crude protein versus il8 · 92 percent. starch equivalent including 5 · 07 percent. digestible crude protein in the dry matter of monthly cuts.. of starch-h equiY:t!Pnt per cb y for a ,;lll'ep ll'ei.g-hing lOO lb., ancl c:onfi.Jted to n lHC 'tab,Jli:im crate. 34;A comparative study of .Lol-ium perenne and J>halaris tttberosa at different stages of growth." agricultural. 34; "The influence of mowing frequency on the productivity, botanical and chemical composition and nutritive value of "natural" pastures in South Australia". 34; A study of the mineral content and feeding value of natural pastures in the Union of South Africa (First Report).". ". 34; A study of the mineral content and feeding value of natural pastures in the Union of South Africa (Third Report). Effect of mowing frequency on yield, stability and chemical composition of grass species." Welsh l'lant Breeding Statifln, Aberystwytli. 34; Digestibility by sheep of feed ingredients of nitrogen-free fodder." L'exas Agric. Report on the chemical analyzes of pasture samples from Yarious areas in the British Isles." ]om·. 34;The organic food trend is evident in alfalfa roots affected by felling practices." Jour. 34; A Survey of Pastures in Eastern County and Albany County." Sci. 34;2\fodifications of the methods used at Onderste-poort for the determination of (A) magnesium and calcium, (B) potassium, in grass extracts." Ondentepoort JoHT. 34; Influence of forage prog1essne 11pemng on mineral nutrition of cattle". Ind. 34; "Minimum human nitrogen expenditure and biological value of various proteins for human nutrition." R-iochem.ACKNOWL E DGMENTS
