BUREAU OF ANIMAL. INDUSTEY. 217 



stunted and entirely unfit to save for breeding purposes. The effect 

 of the infection is also apparent in the old stock, causing an abnor- 

 mally high rate of mortality, greatly reducing the vigor and the egg 

 yield. 



During the year plans have been perfected for following up the 

 investigation of the methods of handling eggs. A preliminary survey 

 of this field had previously been made, and the information thus ob- 

 tained is to be followed up b}' field work. The plans contemplate 

 the prosecution of this problem b}^ this Bureau in cooperation with 

 the Bureau of Chemistry. The source of production of the eggs, 

 methods of feeding the hens, conditions under which the eggs are 

 produced, and the various steps and conditions in the handling of 

 the eggs till they reach the packing house will be studied bv this 

 Bureau. From that point onward, through cold storage or without 

 it, to the ultimate consumer, the eggs will be followed b}^ the Bureau 

 of Chemistry. There is good ground for the belief that an investi- 

 gation of this character will result in a cutting down of much of 

 the present waste and deterioration due to careless or ignorant meth- 

 ods and will eventually mean a greater return to the producer and a 

 better average quality of eggs produced in the summer and fall 

 months without added cost to the consumer. 



ANIMAL NUTRITION. 



The experiments in cooperation with the Pennsylvania State Col- 

 lege have been conducted during the past fiscal year for the purpose 

 of ascertaining the feeding value of hominy feed, a by-product of the 

 manufacture of hominy from corn, concerning which little accurate 

 information is available. A comparison was made of this feed with 

 the corn from which it was manufactured, and incidentally the energy 

 values of mixed clover and timothy hay were also included in the 

 investigation. 



BEEF PRODUCTION INVESTIGATIONS. 



Investigations in beef production have been in progress for six 

 years in cooperation with the Alabama Experiment Station, and 

 results are being obtained which indicate not only that cattle may be 

 prohtably fed in the South, but that the South offers an excellent field 

 for the extension of the beef-producing area of the country. During 

 recent years these investigations have been confined to Sumter 

 County, and the work has been done under the supervision of Prof. 

 Dan T. Gray, of the Alabama Experiment Station, directly with 

 farmers who furnish the cattle, the feed and pasture, and all build- 

 ings and equipment. The Department and the Alabama Experiment 

 Station furnish the men to carry on the Avork. One assistant has been 

 stationed at each farm, who usually selects the cattle and feeds them. 



Until the last fiscal year this work was done with only one coop- 

 erator on two farms, but last year another cooperator was added in 

 the same county. 



The following questions are being studied : ^Methods of carrying 

 mature beef animals through the winter months with the object of 

 fattening them on pasture the followiug summer; methods of carry- 

 ing calves through tlie winter months with the object of finishing 

 them the following summer or fall ; to determine the profit, if any, in 



