ANIMAL tRODUC'TlON. 



263 



The increased nitrogen excretion whicli, it is pointed out, lias been practically 

 always noted in experimental studies of the question, in the author's opinion 

 is dependent upon the muscular exertion just as it would be in other cases of 

 muscular activity. The cleavages due to muscular work and to dyspnoea are, 

 therefore, of the same character. Increased nitrogen excretion under certain 

 pathological conditions and related questions are also discussed. 



ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 



Commercial feeding stuffs, H. J. Wheeler et al. {Rhode Island Sta. Bui. 

 119. PI). S9-107). — The 177 samples examined under the State feeding-stuff 

 law included animal meal and bone, cotton-seed meal and feed, new and old 

 process linseed meal, gluten feed, brewers and distillers" grains, wheat mid- 

 dlings, wheat bran, mixed feed, provender, hominy meal, horse feed, dairy and 

 stock feed, poultry feed, and miscellaneous feeds. 



Most of the feeds were essentially as guaranteed. Several samples of horse 

 feed, however, were below standard. The cotton-seed meal recently examined, 

 according to the authors. Is not of as good quality as formerly. 



"This is explained Ijy some manufacturers as being due to the wet weather 

 the previous autumn, and to consequent Injury to the cotton seed. On the 

 other hand it is alleged, by parties who ought to know, that some of the mills 

 are introducing more ground cotton hulls than formerly. Whatever the cause, 

 the attention of the consumers should be called to the facts." 



As regards mixed feeds, cheap guaranteed material is being sold at present, 

 it is pointed out, which contains corn cobs, rice hulls, or other material of little 

 or no value as feed. 



" On this account many of the manufacturers of the genuine article are now 

 branding their goods as consisting of ' pure wheat bran and middlings,' or they 

 are guaranteeing the percentages of fat and protein which the goods contain. 



" When one considers that good mixed hay, even if free from clover, con- 

 tains from 6 to 7 per cent of protein, that mixed hay and clover contains from 

 10 to 11 per cent of protein, and that pure clover hay contains from 12 to 13 

 per cent of protein, one is astounded that so many feeders of stock continue 

 to purchase the commercial feeds of low grade at the prevailing prices. So 

 long as such conditions exist, it is the consumer's own fault if he concludes that 

 farming does not pay." 



Forage plant investigations, H. G. Knight, F. E. Hefner, and A. Nelson 

 {WyomUu) Hta. Rpt. 1906, pp. 35-57 ) .—Noted from another publication (E. S. R., 

 18, p. 220). 



Summary of recent investigations of the value of cacti as stock food, 

 D. Griffiths and R. F. Hare (U. 8. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus. Bui. 102, 

 pp. 7-18, pi. 1). — Analyses are reported of a number of samples of cactus and 

 cactus fruits, including both the whole fi'uit, inilp, and seed. In the case of a 

 number of samples of cactus forage ash analyses were also made. The fol- 

 lowing table shows the average results obtained with the different sorts of 

 cacti : 



Average composition of cactus forage. 



