ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 367 



In preliminary studies of tlie various planes of nutrition in their influence 

 upon breeding cattle, it appears that heifers on a high plane of nutrition reach 

 the breeding period at an earlier age but are more uncertain breeders than 

 those maintained on a lower plane of nutrition. 



In comparing the value of various roughages for breeding ewes it was found 

 that •' corn stover proved nearly as efficient as timothy hay. The use of silage 

 instead of stover materially reduced the amount of grain required; silage, 

 clover hay, and grain proved the most economical ration ; clover hay and grain 

 was the second in economy. Two lbs. of corn silage appeared to be equiva- 

 lent to 1 lb. of hay in the ration where it was used. Breeding ewes proved to 

 be very susceptible to poisoning from old silage." 



In the feeding of animals it was found that warm feed and warm water show 

 no advantage over cold feed and water, which results verify those of earlier 

 trials. Notes on the improvements through the use of pure-bred, rams have 

 been reported from another source (E. S. R., 29, p. 870). 



In an investigation of age as a factor in animal breeding it has been found 

 by careful measurements that early pregnancy interferes with the rate of growth 

 and the ultimate development of the maternal parent. 



The South American meat industry, A. D. Mklvin ( U. 8. Dept. Agr. Year- 

 book l'J13, pp. 3^7-^64, pis. 8). — The author reports on his recent tour of 

 investigation made of the South American meat inspection and meat industry, 

 especially Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil. Data are presented 

 showing the recent imports of food ajjimals into the United States from Argen- 

 tina, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Uruguay, and other countries. 



Methods of freezing and salting of beef products in vogue in South America 

 are discussed. Statistics are given on the supply of cattle and sheep in South 

 America and a comparison made with other countries. It is believed that 

 " while statistics show that Argentina is already slaughtering up to the limit 

 of its present stock of cattle, that country has such great resources for cattle 

 raising that it is easily possible for the stocli raisers to bring about a large 

 increase in the meat output if present prices are maintained, which, with 

 the opening of the United States market, seems very probable." 



The production of beef in the South, W. F. Ward {U. 8. Dept. Agr. Year- 

 book 1913, pp. 259-282, pis. 4)- — In this article the author discusses the possi- 

 bilities of the South for beef production, the abandonment of the one-crop sys- 

 tem, the growing of forage crops, grasses, and grains in the South, tick eradica- 

 tion, and. the most approved methods of cattle production in the South as 

 determined by experiment station results and reported in various station and 

 Department publications previously noted. 



The Bazadais cattle, G. Lafforgue (Vie Agr. et Rurale, 3 (1914), A"o. 12, pp. 

 322, 323, fig. 1). — The characteristics of this French breed of cattle are given. 



The Garonnais breed of cattle, P. Herbet {Vie Agr. et Rurale, 3 {1914), A"o. 

 12, pp. 324-330, figs. 6). — This gives a historical sketch, characteristics, and 

 measurements of this French breed of cattle. 



The distribution of wild sheep, R. Kowarzik {Mitt. Justus Perthes' Geogr. 

 Anst., 60 {1914), ^0. 2, pp. 70-72, pi. 1). — An account of the various breeds and 

 types of wild sheep and of their geographical distribution. 



Breeding caracul sheep, C. C. Young {Jour. Heredity, 5 {1914), ^o. 4, PP- 

 170-178, pi. 1, figs. 3). — ^The author reviews the history of importations and the 

 development of the caracul sheep industry in the United States. 



He found a difference to exist in the wooling characteristics of caracul rams 

 and ewes, some having a coarse long wool, others a long coarse gray wool in 

 which was hidden a fine lusterless short reddish wool resembling microscopi- 

 cally that of Merinos. It was found that this fine underwool came into the 



