182    THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY [ I, III

    Three animals 122, 128 and 133 were fed with rice straw as the sole ration from
the 1st October, 1929, the actual experimental period starting from the 9th Novem-
ber, 1929. Table VI gives the details of the digestibility figures obtained. It was
found that the protein in the rice straw was insufficient and gave a negative digest-
ibility figure. This rice straw is therefore deficient as judged by the daily nitrogen
balance figures. For example, heifer 122 lost 6.87 grm. of nitrogen daily, while
heifers 128 and 133 lost 6.55 grm. and 5.19 grm. of nitrogen respectively per day,
which shows that this ration is much below a maintenance standard. These parti-
cular animals, moreover, did not show any liking for the rice straw as they ate about
5 lbs. daily against 20 lb. which hill cattle are reported to eat.

    Table III gives the chemical and mineral analyses of the rice straw and concent-
rates used.

    In Table IV the data obtained from Kangra rice straw is shown in comparison
with similar data obtained from other places [Warth, 1926]. The figures for the
chemical analyses show that the Kangra rice straw of 1929 is poorer than any of
the others in its protein content, a fact which is reflected in the negative digestibi-
lity of the same. It contains, moreover, the highest percentage of crude fibre,
which detracts from its feeding value. The ash percentage is also lower than the
figures obtained from Pusa and Bangalore, but higher than the American. The
digestibility figures for dry matter, organic matter and carbohydrates are lowest,
while the digestibility of the protein is negative, a result which is necessarily reflect-
ed in an indefinitely wide albuminoid ratio. All the animals lost weight as shown
by the body weight curves and became much emaciated with staring coats and
lachrymose eyes, in fact so much so that the trials were terminated before the origi-
nally planned period.

    2. Rice Straw and Maize Grain, 15th December 1929 to 11th January 1930.

    The results obtained with these three animals while fed on Kangra rice straw
alone, definitely showed that the fodder was poor in its nitrogen content and failed
to meet the proteinous need of the cattle. It was consequently decided to investi-
gate the requirements in added concentrates necessary to bring this straw up to a
maintenance ration and meet the deficiency. As there is generally but limited scope
for choosing a supplementary ration in the Kangra valley, maize grain was selected
as it is a widely grown local cereal. The animals had lost condition considerably
while on the rice straw ration, so it was necessary to add comparatively large quan-
tities of this concentrate, two lbs. of maize grain being given twice daily in a crush-
ed condition after being soaked in water for about six hours. The details of the
digestibility figures and other data on the combined ration are given in Tables III