ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 867 



The Simmental breed of cattle, C. S. Plumb (Breeder's Gaz., 66 {1914), No. 

 7, pp. 228, 229, figs. 3). — An account of the characteristics, distribution, and 

 utility value of this breed of cattle. These cattle are essentially dual purpose, 

 being adapted for both beef and dairy purposes. The breed is a prime favorite 

 in Switzerland, and has been exported in large numbers to portions of Germany 

 and Hungary. 



Proportions of shelled corn and alfalfa hay for fattening western lambs, 

 W. C. Coffey {Illinois 8ta. Bui. 167 (WW, pp. 53-82, fig. i).— In exi>eriment.s 

 to determine the proportions in which shelled corn and alfalfa hay should be 

 fed to western lambs four lots of 20 69-lb. wether lambs were fed during a 

 90-day period corn and alfalfa hay in the following average proportions: Lot 

 one 1 : 0.99, lot two 1 : 1.36, lot three 1 : 2.42, and lot four 1 : 3.45. The proportion 

 of corn to hay was increased as the feeding period progressed, only a small allow- 

 ance of grain being given at the start. The average digestible nutrients re- 

 ceived per lamb per day were 0.235, 0.241, 0.247, and 0.251 lbs. of protein, and 

 1.441, 1.37, 1.233, and 1.169 lbs. of carbohydrates and fat for the respective lots. 

 The gain per lamb per day was 0.3, 0.269, 0.216, and 0.203 lbs., and the total 

 feed required per pound of gain 8.2, 9.16, 11.18, and 11.84 lbs., respectively. 



In a second experiment three lots of 20 65-lb. wether lambs were fed during 

 a 98-day period corn and alfalfa in the following average proportions : Lot one 

 1 : 2,03, lot two 1 : 1.31, and lot three 1 : 0.86. The average digestible nutrients 

 received per lamb per day were 0.258, 0.281, and 0.29 lbs. of protein, and 1.651, 

 1,641, and 1.46 lbs. of carbohydrates and fats for the respective lots. The gains 

 per lamb per day were 0.331, 0.32, and 0.294 lbs., and the total feed required 

 per pound of gain 7.64, 8.22, and 9.05 lbs., respectively. 



The greatest proportion of corn that it was possible to get the lambs to con- 

 sume at any stage of the feeding period was one part corn to 0.66 part hay. 

 The lambs fed the greatest proportion of corn, which was also the greatest 

 amount, were rather difBcult to keep on feed. 



In experiment number one the lots consuming the largest amount of grain 

 (the smallest amount of protein), consumed the largest amount of water. In 

 each experiment the lambs receiving the largest proportion of corn made the 

 largest gain ; with the exception of one lot the 10 heaviest lambs in each lot 

 made greater gains than the 10 lightest lambs. It appears that the power of 

 lambs to consume feed increases gradually with the advance of the feeding 

 period. 



With various combinations of prices for corn and hay, excepting a combina- 

 tion of very dear corn and very cheap hay, it was demonstrated that the lots 

 fed the greater proportions of corn than hay produced the cheapest gains and 

 returned the most profit. It was also demonstrated that in order to make the 

 feeding operation profitable with feeds of high cost a margin of $1 per hundred- 

 weight based on home costs and weights is necessary, but that with feeds of 

 comparatively low cost this margin is not necessary. 



In experiments with ewe lambs corresponding to experiment number one with 

 wether lambs it was demonstrated that there was very little difference in 

 their feeding and market qualities. 



Comparing early and late shorn lambs it was demonstrated that the shorn 

 lambs ate moi'e feed than unshorn lambs in warm weather, but there was little 

 difference between them in gains and no difference in market quality. Lambs 

 left in the fleece until the end of the experiment sheared from 2 to 2.75 lbs. 

 per head more than early shorn lambs and on this account returned more profit. 



On the effects of complete and incomplete castration upon horn growth in 

 Herdwick sheep, F. H. A. Marshall and J. Hammond (Jour. Physiol., 48 

 (1914), No. 2-3, pp. 171-176, figs. 6). — In continuing work previously noted 



