FOODS ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 179 



Some essentials of beef production, C. F. Curtiss ( U. S. Dept. 

 Ayr., Farmers' Bui. 71. pp. 24, figs. 17). — The author discusses the most 

 desirable type of cattle for fattening, mentions the characteristics of 

 this type, and illustrates the use of the score card. Diagrams are 

 given showing the method of cutting beef. The bulletin as a whole is 

 based largely on experiments at the Iowa Station. 



According to the author, animals suitable for fattening, "though rep- 

 resenting different breeds, present that compactness of form, thickness, 

 and substance, together with superior tinish and quality, coupled with 

 an inherent aptitude to lay on flesh thickly and evenly, that always 

 characterizes the beef animal of outstauding merit." For fattening 

 the prime requisite is general form. This point is discussed at some 

 length. 



The author points out that gains in weight are not a sufficient index 

 of the gains in value in fattening animals. Thus, animals of different 

 breeds may make approximately the same gains in the same period of 

 time, yet in one case the gains may consist of fat accumulated around 

 the viscera while the flesh remains lean. In another case the fat may 

 be well distributed throughout the carcass, making juicy meat. These 

 differences are very clearly brought out by the block test. The fact is 

 noted that in recent years there has been a marked change in the kind 

 of beef preferred. A very large overfat steer is no longer as desirable 

 as the more compact animal of prime quality and medium size — that 

 is, younger animals are more desirable than older ones. 



"It is a well established principle in animal nutrition that young 

 animals make more economical gains than older ones, and that the 

 amount of food required for a given gain increases as the animal 

 advances toward maturity." The economy of gain at different ages 

 is discussed. In regions where coarse fodders and pasturage are 

 abundant it may be desirable to extend the fattening period. 



"In the great feeding section within what is known as the 'corn helt' the condi- 

 tions are such as to favor the liberal policy of feeding from first to last, and under 

 these conditions early maturity may he attained by a generous use of the ordinary 

 feeding stuffs throughout the entire growing and fattening period, quite as well or 

 even better than by too extensive use of the more concentrated and expensive grain 

 feeds. That is to say, early maturity may be largely accomplished by the liberal 

 use of the cheaper feeds of the farm, combined with a suitable grain ration, which 

 may be quite moderate except in the finishing period. The modern feeder must 

 combine the advantages of economy of production resulting from early maturity, 

 and the excellence and enhanced value of the finished product that can only come 

 from the right kind of stock well handled. This implies good breeding and contin- 

 uous good feeding. These requirements are no longer merely subservient, but prac- 

 tically imperative." 



Digestion experiments, J. A. Widtsoe (Utah Sta. Bui. 54, pp. 

 141-151). — Experiments on the digestibility cf shredded corn fodder, 

 alfalfa hay, timothy hay, and a mixture of 71.5 per cent bran and 28.5 

 per cent shorts were made with steers. Two steers of common native 

 stock were used and the ordinary methods were followed. The steers 



