170 EXPEKIMENT STATION RECORD. 



was rather higher than usual, which, iu the author's opinion, may be due to 

 the fact that the quantities ensiled were small. 



Concerning spoiled peanut cake, A. Gbegoire, Hendrick, and E. Carpiaux 

 (Bid. Agr. [Bnisscls'\, 22 (1906), No. 7, pp. 9.53-.97// ) .— Data are summarized 

 regarding the composition and quality of spoiled peanut cake and its effect 

 when fed. From the authors" analyses the conclusion was reached that spoiled 

 peanut cake contains less than 6 per cent sugar in its organic material other 

 than fat, and that the fat has an acidity greater than GO per cent, calculated as 

 oleic acid. 



Yebb nuts from Somaliland (Bui. Imp. Inst., 5 (1907), Xo. 1, pp. 19, 20).— 

 An analysis was made of the kernel of so-called yebb nuts, which indicated 

 that they were likely to prove a satisfactory feeding stuff, since they contained 

 about 13 per cent protein, of which nearly 12 per cent was true protein, in addi- 

 tion to some 10.8 per cent oil and 01 per cent carboliydrates. The nuts are 

 used by natives as food. It was not possible to determine the botanical name. 



Oil beans from southern Nigeria (Bill. Imp. Inst., 5 (1907), No. 1, pp. 

 10-1 '/). — The proportion of oil present in oil beans or owala beans (Penta- 

 clethra macropliylla) from southern Nigeria, the physical characteristics of the 

 oil, and the composition of the meal remaining after the extraction of the oil are 

 reported. The conclusion was drawn that there seemed no likelihood in the 

 near futui-e of a profitable market for these beans. 



Blue agave as a famine fodder, .1. M. Hayman (Rpt. Agr. ySta. Oral, Jalaun 

 [India], 1906, pp. ll-l'i). — Tests made with boiled leaves of blue agave (Agave 

 lurida) gave fairly satisfactory results. In the author's opinion this plant, 

 which g.'ows on waste lands, may have considerable value as an emergency 

 feed in times of famine. Init should be supplemented l)y other feeds. 



Leaves of the coral tree as fodder (Agr. Gaz. N. H. Wales, 18 (1907), No. 

 4, p. 361). — An analysis by F. P.. Guthrie of the leaves of the coral tree 

 (Erythrina) is reported. The tree thrives in many localities, carries large 

 quantities of foliage, and is readily propagated from cuttings. It has been 

 suggested that the leaves might prove of value as stock feed during times of 

 drought. 



The water hyacinth las a fodderj (Qiieenshnid Agr. Jour., i.S' (1907), No. 

 4, pp. 207-209). — In a discussion of water hyacinth destruction and related 

 questions a brief note is given on its feeding value. The concensus of opinion 

 seems to be that this is not great. 



Recent investigations on the feeding of farm animals, O. Kellner (Braun- 

 schiveig. Landiv. Ztg.. 7') (1907), No. 12, pp. 51-55). — In a paper presented 

 before the general meeting of the Brunswick Central Agricultural Society, 

 the author gives a summary and discussion of recent experiments in the feeding 

 of farm animals. 



Concerning the effect of different foods upon the structure of organs in 

 the goose with special reference to food and functional activity, E. Schepe- 

 mann (Areh. Entirickl. Mceh. Organ.. 21 (1906), No. 3. pp. 500-59.-): 23 (1907). 

 No. 2, pp. 183-226, figs. //7). — The results of an extended series of investigations 

 are reported in which geese were fed meat, grain, and mash. 



The investigations as a whole, in the author's opinion, show that food may 

 modify body structure and the functional activity of different organs. For 

 instance, the pancreas in geese fed meat showed more marked development than 

 in geese fed the other rations. The oil glands of geese fed the mash were 

 somewhat heavier than those fed whole grain and about twice as heavy as 

 those fed meat. In the case of the meat-fed geese the glands contained only 

 a minute quantity of oil. .which is probably exi)lainable by the lack of fat in 

 the meat diet. Extended bibliographies accompany the report. 



