778 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



A study of the dairy buffalo of Rouniania, (J. Diaconu {Arhiva Vet., 6 

 (1909), A'o.s'. 2, pp. 92-10.-,; A-), pii. IXl-192; 5, pp. 301-ii.Hi, pl.s. 8).— These 

 papers include a short historical sketch of the domesticated buffalo of Europe, 

 descriptions and measurements of 2 types of dairy buffaloes bred in Roumania, 

 the characteristics of a jiood dairy l)uffalo cow, yields of milk, percentages of 

 fat, lactose and other constituents of buffalo milk, and other general informa- 

 tion on this subject. 



Investigations on the effect of diminishing the amount of coarse feeds in 

 rations for dairy cows, T. MIjlleb (Ber. Physiol. Lah. ». Vr/-.s. .1h,s7. Lnndw. 

 Inst. Halle, 1909, Ao. 19, pp. Ji3-12.)). — During 6 feeding periods lasting about 

 24 days each 2 dairy cows were fed a ))asal ration of beets, cotton-seed meal, 

 peanut meal, malt sprouts, and ground barley. In the first and fifth periods 

 rye straw was fed at the rate of 10 kg. per day per 1,000 lbs. live weight. In 

 the second period the amount of straw was reduced to one-half, and in the third 

 period to one-fourth that of the first period. No straw or other roughage was 

 fed in the fourth period. When the straw ration was reduced the loss in digesti- 

 ble nutrients was equalized by increasing the ration of ground barley. 



The reduction in amount, and even the total elimination of the rye straw 

 ration, produced no marked change in the amount or composition of the milk. 

 The cows at first appeared to be unsatisfied but gradually became more accus- 

 tomed to the less bulky ration. On substituting meadow hay for the straw in 

 the sixth period there was an increased yield of milk and at a reduced cost. 

 The average cost of milk per kilogram in the first and fifth periods was 7.2 

 marks (about 1.6 cts. per quart) ; in the second and third periods, 7.5 marks; 

 in the fourth period, 7.7 marks ; and in the sixth period, 6.2 marks. 



The author draws the conclusion that the ration of coarse fodder may be 

 reduced, or even eliminated for a short period, without detriment to the health 

 of the animal and without reducing appreciably the amount of milk, although 

 increasing its cost. 



Specific gravity of Danish milk, H. M. Hoyberg {MwlkcrituL. 23 (1910), 

 No. 1, pp. 1-5-20). — Examinations of the specific gravity of 1,000 samples of 

 mixed milk from Danish herds, collected during the months from March to 

 June and August, were made by means of a Bischoff areometer (lactometer). 

 About 210 cc. of milk is required with this instrument, with a cylinder 33 cm. 

 high and 4 cm. internal diameter. 



In specific gravity the samples averaged 1.0324; 0.3 per cent of them were 

 from 1.029 to 1.030; 1.1 per cent from 1.030 to 1.031 ; 12 per cent, from 1.031 to 

 1.032 ; 56 per cent from 1.032 to 1.033 ; 28 per cent from 1.033 to 1.034 ; and 2.4 

 I^er cent from 1.034 to 1.035. The author recommends that the Bischoff lactom- 

 eter be made the standard for the whole country, and that the legal standard 

 for the si)ecific gravity of new mixed milk be placed at fi"om 1.0310 to 1.0340. 



Analysis of the cleavage products of the nucleoprotein of the mammary 

 glands, J. A. Mandel (Proc. 8oc. Expt. Biol, and Med., 7 (1909), No. 2, pp. 

 24-26). — The author finds a close correspondence between casein and the nucleo- 

 protein of the cells in the mammary gland, which he thinks is strong proof 

 that the casein of the milk is formed by a breaking down of the nucleoprotein 

 of the protoplasm, with a setting free of the carbohydrates and the purin and 

 pyrimidin bases. 



Are the colostrum bodies a reliable test for determining whether or not 

 the milk was obtained from a new milch cow? L. Anders (Hat der Nach- 

 iceis der Kolostrunikorperehen eine Bedeutung fi'ir die Forensischc Beurteilung 

 des FrischmilcJiendseins der Kiihef Inang. Diss., Univ. Bern, 1909, pp. ^0). — • 

 This has been noted from another source (E. S. R.. 21, p. 675). 



