368 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD, 



of the individual. If tlie calf is not stunted permanently by continuing poor 

 feed for too long a time, the lack of thrift, which might result from using a 

 substitute for milk from the time the calf is 10 days or 2 weeks old until he 

 is on hay and grain entirely, may be overcome in the later development of the 

 tmimal if the dry food given from the time he is 5 months of age is proper and 

 sufficient in amount." 



The origin of sheep, C. J. Davies (Live Stock Jour. [London], 74 (1911), 

 Nos. 1963, p. 509; 1964, P- 533). — This contains data on the ancestry of sheep 

 and the history of sheep breeding. 



Shearing twice v. shearing once, C. M. Mallinson (Affr. Jour. Union So. 

 Africa. 2 (1911), No. Jf, pp. 432-434). — An argument is presented to show that 

 it is less profitable to shear sheep twice a year, as is now the common practice 

 in South Africa, than it is to shear only once. 



The castor oil plant (Ricinus communis) as a fodder, M. H. Reynolds 

 (Agr. Gaz. N. S. Wales, 22 (1911). No. 10, p. 888).— Brief notes on experience in 

 allowing sheep to browse on frozen castor oil plants. The mutton was slightly 

 tainted, but the flesh was normal in color. 



The cause of "apoplexy" in winter-fed lambs, H. H. Wing (New York 

 Cornell Sta. Bui. 305, pp. 33-47, figs. 2). — A report is given of feeding tests sup- 

 lilementary to those previously reported (E. S. R., 24, pp. 578, 588), 289 lambs 

 being divided into 4 lots. The rations consisted of corn, oats, Ajax flakes, 

 gluten feed, clover hay, pea and oat hay, and silage. 



In 110 days the lot on a wide ration 1 : 8.4, including silage, made an average 

 gain per head of 22.7 lbs., at a cost of 10.6 cts. per pound. The lot on a wide 

 ration 1 : 8.3, which contained no silage, made an average gain per head of 15.7 

 lbs., at a cost of 15.9 cts. per pound. The lot on a narrow ration 1 : 5.2, and 

 which included no silage, made an average gain per head of 18.9 lbs., at a cost 

 of 13.2 cts. per pound. The lot on a narrow ration 1 : 5.3. which included silage, 

 made an average gain per head of 25.1 lbs., at a cost of 9.6 cts. per pound. 



Thus the narrow ration was superior to the wide ration, and silage was a 

 great advantage in both cases. At the end of the test most of the lambs were 

 sold, but some were reserved several weeks longer and kept on a wide ration. 

 Though a few lambs died during the test there were no cases of so-called 

 " apoplexy " as in the previous work. " In most of these animals there was 

 found a congestion or inflammation of the intestines. It is probable that most 

 of them died from intestinal trouble, either catarrhal inflammation or hemor- 

 rhagic inflammation of the small intestines or cecum." 



Studies on the ancestry of Siska swine, S. Ulmansky (Ztschr. Landio. 

 Versucfisw. Osterr., I4 (1911), No. 8, pp. 963-1021, pis. 3, figs. 8). — A more tech- 

 nical account of these breeds, which have been previously noted. 



The author concludes that the Siska pig is a direct descendant of the common 

 wild pig of Europe and was originally domesticated north of the Carpathian 

 Mountains, and that the Syrmie-Mangalica and the Turopolje breeds are the 

 result of a cross of the Siska and an Asiatic type. The skull of the typical 

 Syrmie-Mangalica is different from that of the black type. The Bosnia wild 

 pig is not identical with the wild pig of central Euroi)e but is a form of it. 

 Many measurements of the skeleton are given. 



A bibliography is appended. 



Notes on the progenitors of certain strains of the modern American horse, 

 C. NocKOLDs (Jour. U. 8. Cavalry Assoc, 21 (1910), No. 81, pp. 428-443; 21 

 (1911), Nos. 82, pp. 660-665; 83, pp. 864-880; 22 (1911), No. 87, pp. 437-450).— 

 These articles contain data on the ancestry of the horse, history of horse breed- 

 ing in ancient and modern times, and notes on some famous American horses. 



