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The nutritive value of common heather (Calluna vulgaris) I. The preparation of samples of Calluna vulgaris for analytical purposes and for digestibility studies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

Brynmor Thomas
Affiliation:
King's College (Newcastle-upon-Tyne), University of Durham
D. G. Armstrong
Affiliation:
King's College (Newcastle-upon-Tyne), University of Durham

Extract

1. The methods employed by some of the earlier workers for separating analytical samples from heather, show little uniformity and are, in general, poorly defined. No procedure capable of separating the relatively large weights of material necessary for digestibility studies has hitherto been devised.

2. Analytical samples prepared by (a) a method used by Thomas, and (b) a method suggested by Braid were compared. The results obtained were very similar, but the latter method was recommended as being the better denned.

3. Two methods of preparing large samples for digestibility studies, one adapted for winter heather and the other for use in spring and summer, have been used. Both of these methods, when applied to winter heather, give samples which compare well with a sample obtained by the method of Braid.

4. Samples separated in summer by method 5 were compared with samples of material similar to that observed to be eaten by sheep. It was found that the former were of appreciably lower crude protein content and contained slightly more lignin than the latter.

5. No evidence of an adverse effect on digestibility by oven-drying for 24–48 hr. at 38° C. was obtained.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1952

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References

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