Winter steer feeding, 1911-12, J. H. SKINNER and F. G. KING (Indiana Sta. Bul. 163, pp. 713–749).—A continuation of earlier work (E. S. R., 26, p. 568).

In these tests steers weighing nearly 1,000 lbs. each were fed 160 days. There were 10 animals in each lot, and their initial value was $5.55 per 100 lbs. live weight. The concentrates used were shelled corn and cotton-seed meal. Some of the results of feeding different roughages are summarized in the following table:

To compare the relative advantages of long and short feeding, the results for lots 6 and 7 are also given at the end of 100 days. During this period lot 6 made an average daily gain of 2.3 lbs., at a cost of 11.29 cts. per pound, and lot 7 made a gain of 2,395 lbs. per head and day, at a cost of 11.02 cts. per pound. It is stated that the profit from feeding was unusually large because of favorable market conditions.

Winter steer feeding, 1911-12, J. H. SKINNER and F. G. KING (Indiana Sta. Bul. 163, popular ed., pp. 3-12).—A popular summary of the above.

Afrikander cattle, A. HOLM (Agr. Jour. Union So. Africa, 4 (1912), No. 5. pp. 687-692, figs. 2).-This contains notes on the origin and characteristics of the Afrikander breed and the scale of points used in judging.

The results of hybridizing experiments with the gayal (Bibos frontalis) in the zoological garden of the Agricultural Society at the University of Halle, S. VON NATHUSIUS (Kühn Arch., 1 (1911), pt. 1, pp. 61-105).-Shorthorn, Jeverländ, Simmental, Oldenburg, Dutch, and Prätigau cattle were crossed with the Asiatic gayal, which was found to reproduce periodically. Detailed descriptions of the hybrids are given.

Breeding experiments with humped cattle (Bos indicus) from India and Africa, S. VON NATHUSIUS (Kühn Arch., 1 (1911), pt. 1, pp. 225–252, figs. 4).—This contains descriptions of the hybrids resulting from crosses of European breeds with both African and Indian zebus. The hybrids as a rule were large, with long legs, narrow chest, and a tendency to fatten, and are thought to be less valuable for breeding in Europe than for the European colonies.

Buffalo breeding in Western Transcaucasus, E. TURKIN and I. SICORZOFF (Moloch. Khoz. i Skotov., 11 (1912), No. 23, pp. 461–465; abs. in Internat. Inst. Agr. [Rome], Bul. Bur. Agr. Intel. and Plant Diseases, 3 (1912), No. 9. p. 2038).—A general and statistical account of the breeding of domesticated buffalo. The average yield of milk during the best season was from 1.75 to 2.5 gal. daily, and 175 lbs. of butter can be made annually from the milk of one good buffalo. Their qualifications as draft animals are also discussed.

Fattening western lambs, 1910-11 and 1911-12, J. H. SKINNER and F. G. KING (Indiana Sta. Bul. 162, pp. 673-710, fig. 1).—In 2 series of trials with timothy as a roughage for fattening lambs, the selling value and amount of gain were less, and the cost of gain more, than with clover hay as a roughage. In one series, shelled corn was the only grain fed, while in the other both shelled corn and cotton-seed meal were given. In three other tests the addition of silage once a day to replace a portion of the clover hay cheapened the ration but did not increase the rate of gain.

No bad effects were produced by feeding lambs large quantities of silage. Lambs fed silage twice daily made approximately the same gains as others fed silage once daily, but made cheaper gains and acquired a better finish.

In a test of supplements the addition of cotton-seed meal to a ration of shelled corn and timothy increased the rate of gain, decreased the cost of gain, added to the selling value of the lambs, and increased the appetites of the lambs for both hay and grain.

The addition of cotton-seed meal to a ration of shelled corn and clover hay slightly increased the rate of gain and added to the selling value of the lambs; it did not affect the cost of gain when corn was as low as 40 cts. per bushel, but made a slight decrease when corn was above 40 cts.

The addition of cotton-seed meal to a ration of shelled corn, clover hay, and corn silage had no effect on the roughage consumption, but slightly increased the grain consumption in 1 of 3 trials. It increased the rate of gain and added to the selling value of the lambs. It did not affect the cost of gain when corn was valued at 50 cts. per bushel, but made a slight decrease when corn was above 50 cts.

Rations for fattening range lambs, B. E. CARMICHAEL and J. W. HAMMOND (Ohio Sta. Bul. 245, pp. 685-722, figs. 4).-This bulletin presents the results of 4 years' work in testing rations for fattening range lambs, being a continuation of earlier work (E. S. R., 19, p. 973).

In the first test 4 lots of lambs, with 40 in each lot, were fed for 77 days. The gains and cost were as follows: On corn and timothy hay the average daily gain was 0.295 lb., at a cost of 7.4 cts. per pound; corn, oil meal, and timothy hay 0.344 lb., at a cost of 7.11 cts. per pound; corn, oil meal, timothy, and alfalfa hay 0.379 lb., at a cost of 6.42 cts. per pound; and corn, oil meal, timothy, and alfalfa hay, with only three-fourths as much concentrates as the last lot, 0.31 lb. at a cost of 6.97 cts. per pound.

In a test of roughages fed with corn, 4 similar lots of 25 lambs each were fed for a period of 70 days, with the following gains per head a day: On corn, oil meal, and corn stover 0.259 lb., at a cost of 7.76 cts. per pound; corn, oil meal, and soy-bean straw 0.277 lb., at a cost of 7.45 cts.; corn and clover hay 0.359 lb., at a cost of 6.72 cts. per pound; corn and alfalfa bay 0.329 lb., at a cost of 7.83 cts. per pound. In a further test of roughages lasting 93 days, the rations and gains with 8 lots of from 11 to 13 lambs each were as follows: On corn and clover hay the gain was 0.318 lb., at a cost of 6.94 cts. per pound; corn and alfalfa hay 0.343 lb., at a cost of 6.99 cts.; corn and oat straw 0.182 lb., at a cost of 10.25 cts.; corn and corn stover 0.225 lb., at a cost of 8.26 cts.; corn, oil meal, and clover hay 0.293 lb., at a cost of 8.17 cts.; corn, oil meal, and alfalfa hay 0.338 lb., at a cost of 7.64 cts.; corn, oil meal, and oat straw 0.236 lb., at a cost of 8.63 cts.; corn, oil meal, and corn stover 0.259 lb., at a cost of 7.86 cts. per pound. This last test was repeated with 15 lambs in each lot for a period of 83 days, with the gains and cost as follows: Corn and clover hay 0.332 lb., at a cost of 6.71 cts.; corn and alfalfa hay 0.372 lb., at a cost of 6.48 cts.; corn and oat straw 0.22 lb., at a cost of 7.65 cts.; corn and corn stover 0.258 88828°-No. 7-13-6

lb., at a cost of 7.48 cts.; corn, oil meal, and clover hay 0.339 lb., at a cost of 7.08 cts.; corn, oil meal, and alfalfa hay 0.387 lb., at a cost of 6.84 cts.; corn, oil meal, and oat straw 0.247 lb., at a cost of 7.82 cts.; corn, oil meal, and corn stover 0.308 lb., at a cost of 7.03 cts.

The amount and composition of the manure produced in the last 2 tests were determined. The lots fed clover and alfalfa hay contained a higher percentage of nitrogen and had a higher value both per ton and head than did that from the lots fed oat straw and corn stover. The manure from the lots fed oil meal contained a higher percentage of nitrogen and had a higher value per ton and head than that from the other lots.

Data are also given on the composition of feeds, composition of refuse in the manger from each kind of roughage, shrinkage in shipping, expense of shipping and marketing, and slaughter tests.

The effect of large amounts of magnesium chlorid in the drinking water of sheep, A. STUTZER and S. Goy (Landw. Vers. Stat., 78 (1912), No. 3-4, pp. 233-246).-Water having a chlorin content of 3 gm. per liter was drunk by sheep without any apparent injury.

Improved types of sheep for the Southwest, F. W. WILSON (Arizona Sta. Bul. 69, pp. 615–654, pls. 7, figs. 3).—The character of the types of sheep needed for the valleys and ranges of southwestern United States are discussed, as are also the native Arizona types. There is a further report on experiments in crossing native with Tunis sheep (E. S. R., 23, p. 673; 24, p. 772).

The average gestation period for native ewes mated with a pure-bred Tunis ram was found to be 150.8 days, and with a pure-bred Shropshire 149.6 days. The first generation of Tunis-Native ewes with the same pure-bred Shropshire gave a period of 148.9 days. The average weight of the fleece from the different types was as follows: Native lambs of the Salt River Valley type 9.58 lbs., Tunis-native of the same type 10.5 lbs., Tunis-native (Farr and Edie type), 4.77 lbs., and Shropshire-native (Campbell and Francis type), 3.07 lbs. The quality of the Shropshire-native wool was much better than that of the Tunisnative, but the wool of the Campbell-Francis dams was superior to that of the Farr-Edie.

Figures illustrating the value of the Tunis-native for mutton production are given as follows: Average of 7 Tunis-natives, weight at birth 8.21 lbs., weight at 6 months 67.85 lbs., weight at 1 year 105.57 lbs.; of 7 native lambs, birth weight 6.93 lbs., weight at 6 months 64.78 lbs., weight at 1 year 90.35 lbs. The Tunis-native lambs matured earlier than either the native or the Shropshirenative. They dressed to advantage and yielded mutton of excellent quality.

A description of the native sheep of Tunis and Algeria, by A. E. Vinson (pp. 637-639), is included.

Studies on the race characteristics of horses, G. MALICKE (Studien über Rassenmerkmale bei Pferden. Inaug. Diss., Univ. Bern, 1910, pp. 78).-Meas urements are given of English, Hungarian, Prussian, Russian, German, Danish, Belgian, and French horses, with a discussion of the vertical index, cranial capacity, metatarsus, and chestnuts and other characters of different types. Investigations on the ancestry of fast and slow horses and the strength of bones, H. HENSELER (Arb. Deut. Gesell. Züchtungsk., 1912, No. 14, pp. 149, tables 19, pls. 10, figs. 76). This discusses the evolution and ancestry of modern types of horses, and reports studies on the chemical composition, elasticity, flexibility, and torsion of bones, and measurements of 16 living horses. There were found to be no chemical differences in the bones of the 2 types, but from the small number measured it was found that the individual differences in the physico-mechanical properties were less than the difference between the 2 types.

Concerning the horse of the migration period, M. HILZHEIMER (Zool. Anz., 40 (1912), No. 4-5, pp. 105–117, figs. 2). This contains a description and measurements of a skeleton of a horse found near Berlin, and a discussion as to its relation to other types.

Actual evolution phenomena in South American horses, L. VAN DE PAS (Aktuelle Evolutions-Erscheinungen bei dem Südamerikanischen Pferde. Inaug. Diss., Univ. Bern, 1912, pp. 38, figs. 17).-Measurements are reported of the bones of the Criollo breed of Argentina, with a discussion of the changes in the metacarpals, metatarsals, and teeth in the evolution of the horse.

Poultry craft, J. H. ROBINSON (Boston, 1911, pp. VI+272, pl. 1, figs. 93).—A general treatise on poultry for the practical man.

Studies on the pathological characteristics of the bare-necked and crested fowls, F. SASSENHAGEN (Studien über pathologisch begründete Unterscheidungsmerkmale von Hühnerrassen, speziell der Nackthälse und der Haubenhühner. Inaug. Diss., Univ. Bern, 1912, pp. 51, pls. 2). The author reports histological studies of these 2 types of fowl, which are considered to be in the nature of pathological mutations.

Contributions to the knowledge of the distinguishing characters in breeds of pigeons, H. OTTO (Beiträge zur Kenntnis der pathologisch begründeten Unterscheidungsmerkmale bei Taubenrassen. Inaug. Diss., Univ. Bern, 1910, pp. 52, pl. 1).-Measurements of the bill and other parts of the skulls of pigeons are given, and a discussion is given of the variations which are considered pathological modifications.

Activity in Canadian fox farming, W. FROST ET AL. (Daily Cons. and Trade Rpts. [U. S.], 16 (1913), No. 9, pp. 177–189).-This contains information on a new branch of animal industry.

DAIRY FARMING-DAIRYING.

What does one hundred pounds of milk cost the dairyman? E. H. THOMSON (Tribune Farmer [N. Y.], 11 (1912), No. 555, p. 1).-In determining the cost of 100 lbs. of milk the author relies largely upon the records from 16 herds of a cow testing association in New York.

Approximately 3,200 lbs. of roughage and 1,682 lbs. of grain per head were fed during the year, with pasture for about 5 months, and costing (with hay at $15, grain at $30, and pasture at $1 a month) $54.23. The labor cost per cow is estimated at $24 a year, barn rental at $5, and depreciation and interest on investment at $7.50, making a total cost of $90.73. At the New York exchange prices for the last 6 years of $1.60 per 100 pounds for the 26 cts. freight zone, it would therefore be necessary for a cow, to produce at least 5,675 lbs. in order to meet expenses. The records of the 16 herds show an average yearly production of only 5,621 lbs.

Keeping records of dairy cows, C. H. ECKLES (Missouri Sta. Circ. 57, pp. 177-184, figs. 6).-The value of keeping records of dairy cows is pointed out, and also a practical plan for keeping such records.

Cow-testing associations, A. S. Cook (New Jersey Stas. Circ. 16, pp. 3-16).— This circular explains the purpose of cow-testing associations, the methods of organizing, and the manner in which the records are kept.

Cakes as feed for dairy cows, L. MALPEAUX (Vie Agr. et Rurale, 1913, No. 5, pp. 123–126).-This discusses the nutritive value of linseed, cotton-seed, sesame, peanut, poppy, copra, and soy-bean cakes.

The influence of industrial by-products on the quality of milk in connection with its use as food and in the dairy, G. FASCETTI (Bul. Assoc. Agr. Friulana, 7. ser., 29 (1912), No. 9-18, pp. 253–260; abs. in Internat. Inst. Agr.

[Rome], Bul. Bur. Agr. Intel. and Plant Diseases, 3 (1912), No. 12, pp. 2674– 2679). A general review of our knowledge regarding the effect on milk of the use of beet pulp, oil cakes, and other by-products as feeds for dairy cows.

Milk and its products, H. H. WING (New York, 1913, 2. ed., rev. and enl., pp. XVI+433, figs. 63).—In this edition (E. S. R., 9, p. 689) new material has been added on dairy cattle, the production of milk, certified milk, and the manufacture of ice cream. The other chapters have been brought up to date. Milk in relation to disease, J. B. BUXTON (Jour. Roy. Sanit. Inst., 34 (1913), No. 2, pp. 137-146).-The author discusses some of the results of scientific investigations which have thrown light on the spread of tuberculosis, scarlet fever, typhoid fever, septic sore throat, and other diseases by means of milk. A statistical study of the streptococci from milk and from the human throat, E. C. STOWELL, C. M. HILLIARD, and M. J. SCHLESINGER (Jour. Infect. Diseases, 12 (1912), No. 2, pp. 144-164, figs. 4).—In a comparative study of 240 pure strains of streptococci from the normal throat and from milk no features other than fermentative reactions were found to be sufficiently correlated to assist in grouping the organisms or in distinguishing the source of isolation.

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Milk streptococci are distinguishable from the throat organisms of the same morphology (1) by their higher acid production in substances in which they grow, (2) by their greater independence of temperature relations, (3) by their general incapacity to ferment more complex test substances than the disaccharids. On the other hand, the throat strains in at least half the cases (1) ferment a more complex test substance and (2) in almost all cases fail to ferment a higher test substance than the monosaccharid at the room temperature.

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We do not attempt to fix names or to establish any ultimate taxonomic relations by this study. We feel that the study, together with contemporary work in bacteriological biometrics, indicates the most fruitful, though laborious way in which we are obliged to split up systematically our present unwieldy and meaningless genera."

The Baltimore epidemic of streptococcus or septic sore throat and its relation to a milk supply, L. P. HAMBURGER (Bul. John Hopkins Hosp., 24 (1913), No. 263, pp. 1–11, pl. 1, figs. 8).-This is a final report of work previously noted (E. S. R., 27, p. 177). Some of the conclusions drawn are the following: "The undue prevalence of sore throat and other influenzoid affections should be reported to the municipal health department for investigation as to the possibility of milk conduction of the infection. A streptococcus infection when it is introduced into a community through milk possesses an extreme virulence and may produce a clinical picture characteristic in some aspects and complicated in many. It is possible that raw milk from any dairy, though carefully produced and handled, may at some time convey a streptococcus infection. . . .

"From a study of the Americam epidemics of streptococcus or septic sore throat the importance of thorough pasteurization of clean milk in its final containers under efficient official inspection is clear. . . . If by accident the pasteurizing plant of a dairy is disabled the dairy should notify its patrons to boil the milk. When the price of pasteurized milk is prohibitive it is suggested that the practice of boiling milk should be advocated or instruction in home pasteurizing should be given in medical dispensaries by visiting nurses and by physicians. Finally, it is obvious that milk inspection as at present conducted is inadequate." A consideration of the milk supply of Baltimore, W. W. FORD (Bul. Johns Hopkins Hosp., 24 (1913), No. 263, pp. 25-28).—Bacterial counts and other data on the production of sanitary milk are reported.