DAIRY FARMING DAIRYING. 679 



Experiments on the fermentative action of the liquid in the small intestine, 

 F. KRUGER (Ztschr. Biol., 37 (1898), No. 2, pp. 229-260). — The principal conclusions 

 follow : The ferment of the mucous membrane of the small intestine did not cause 

 cleavage of protein or fat. It saccharified cooked starch, but did not invert cane 

 sugar. 



Concerning the origin of domestic cattle, A. David (Landw. Jdhro. Schweiz, 11 

 (1S97), pp. 117-15,', pis. 12). — This article is based on studies of the fragments of 

 bone found in the lake-dwelling remains of the Bielersee. 



Crosses between the zebra and the horse, F. Steinriede (Dent. Landw. Presse, 

 25 (1898), No. S3, pp. 885, 887, figs. 2). — References are given to a number of such 

 crosses. 



Advantages and disadvantages of modern methods of poultry culture, S. Cush- 

 max (Agr. Massachusetts, 1897, pp. 95-116). — A popular address on this subject. 



DAIRY FARMING— DAIRYING. 



On milk "signs " in dairy cows, G. Norner {Milch Ztg., 27 (1898), 

 N~o. 16, pp. 722-725; 47, pp. 739-741). — The author reviews the various rules 

 or points (Milchzeichen) for judging of the merits of milcli cows, which 

 have been laid down by different reputable writers from time to time. 

 These "signs" are based upon a variety of characteristics, some on the 

 relative size and shape of the different parts of the cow's body, others on 

 the hair, others on the size and conformation of the udder, escutcheon, 

 milk veins, etc. Following a summary of them, the author gives a crit- 

 ical discussion of their merits, based upon observatious and measure- 

 ments made by himself as well as on the studies of others. He con- 

 cludes that most of these signs are wholly useless for judging the 

 productiveness of a cow. He lays the most stress upon what he terms 

 a "maternal appearance" both in bodily form and in character. The 

 form of the udder is considered an important point, and also the size of 

 the milk vein; but it is pointed out that a large udder is not always a 

 sign of productiveness. "In the case of good milkers the skin of the 

 udder has the appearance of having been dusted over with bran and 

 has a fatty feeling." No importance is attache'd to the escutcheon, and 

 this is said to be the general conclusion of European authorities. 



In conclusion, the body measurements are given of the best cow in 

 the Province of Brandenburg, as shown by a trial milking for one year. 

 This cow was small and unsightly in appearance, and gave no external 

 indication of so great productiveness. 



Cotton-seed feed as a hay substitute for milch cows, J. B. 

 Lindsey, E. B. Holland, and B. K. Jones (Massachusetts Hatch Sta. 

 Rpt. 1897, pp. 79-101). — Two experiments are reported on the substitu- 

 tion of cottonseed feed for hay, using 6 cows in each experiment. In 

 the first experiment the commercial mixture, said to consist of 1 part 

 of cotton-seed meal to 4 parts of hulls, was used, and in the second 

 experiment the materials were mixed at the station in this proportion. 

 Preliminary to the experiments G digestion trials of cottonseed feed 

 were made with sheep. The details of these trials are not given, but 

 the average is tabulated, together with the results of similar determina- 

 tions made at other stations. "The cotton-seed feed appeared to agree 



