1917] ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 471 



ether extract, 31.G6 ; nitrogen-free extract, 77.02, and total nitrogen, 68.13. The 

 corre.'^ponding percentages for the other experiments were as follows : Alfalfa 

 hay in 1915, 53.81, 55.77, 50.77, 100, 37.96. 40.1, 73.21, and 60.84 ; milo maize meal 

 in 1913, 74.29, 76.06, 46.46, 100, 67.7, 63.18, 82.03, and 49.43 ; and milo maize meal 

 in 1915, 76.88, 76.9, 61.83, 100, 30.9, 72.84, 80.33, and 61.42, respectively. Owing 

 to the wide variations obtained the coefficients for the ash were not calculated. 



Nitrogen balances secured in connection with the digestion trials show con- 

 siderable irregularities with the same individuals in successive trials and be- 

 tween the groups of different ages, but it is evident that the calves were gaining 

 in protein at a much more rapid rate than the other steers. In spite of irregu- 

 larities in the results, the data also suggest that the yearlings gained in protein 

 somewhat faster than the older steers. The estimated amount of energy stored 

 per unit of gain by the 3-year-olds was 2.5 times and by the yearlings and 2- 

 year-olds about twice that of the calves. 



The average percentages of dressed beef obtained in the slaughter tests of 

 these steers were as follows: Calves, 57.08; yearlings, 59.24; 2-year-olds, 58.72, 

 and 3-year-olds, 57.59. No distinctive differences were apparent in reference to 

 the wholesale cuts from the various steers. The results of chemical analyses 

 of the cuts of meat from the different groups of steers also showed no decided 

 differences among them. The fat content of the round and shoulder cuts was 

 about the same for the different ages of steers. In quality of meat the year- 

 lings surpassed the calves chiefly on account of the larger amount and better 

 distribution of the fat through the lean and in the firmness of the meat. The 

 meat of the calves and yearlings appeared a little finer in grain and was more 

 tender than that of the 2- and 3-year-olds. All the meat was of good quality. 



Some ejcperiments and practical demonstrations in hog' feeding at the 

 Delta Branch Experiment Station, G. B. AValkee {Mississii)pi Sta. Bui. 177 

 (1916), pp. 16, figs. 7).— In a 90-day test in 1914 3 pigs on alfalfa pasture 

 made an average daily gain of 0.59 lb. per head as compared with an average 

 gain of 1.26 lbs. for 3 pigs on alfalfa pasture supplemented by all the shelled 

 corn they would eat once a day. Valuing the gains at 7 cts. per pound alfalfa 

 pasture in this test was worth $3.71 per head for the 90 days' grazing. In this 

 test corn was worth .$1.23 per bushel as a supplement to alfalfa pasture. 



Varying results were secured in 1914 and 1915 in tests of the value of cop- 

 peras for preventing cotton-seed meal injury to hogs and of the effect of copperas 

 on gains. In the 1914 test 6 3-months-old pigs were fed for 90 days, 3 of the 

 pigs receiving about 3 lbs. shelled corn and 1 lb. cotton-seed meal per head 

 daily, both feeds being fed dry, and the other 3 pigs receiving similar amounts 

 of corn and cotton-seed meal and in addition 1 gal. copperas solution (1 lb. 

 copperas to 50 gal. water) to each pound of cotton-seed meal. All the pigs 

 were kept in dry lots and had access to shade, water, and salt. The lot fed 

 copperas gained 0.33 lb. and the other lot 0.4 lb. per head daily. All the pigs 

 went through the test in good shape, none showing any evidence of injury from 

 cotton-seed meal. 



In the first test in 1915, which was similar to the above, one of the 3 pigs fed 

 corn and cotton-seed meal alone was found dead on the forty-third day of the 

 test, another was found dead on the eighty-first day, while the third went 

 through the 90 days apparently in good shape, making an average daily gain of 

 0.7 lb. The 3 pigs fed copperas lived through the 90 days and made an average 

 gain of 0.71 lb. per head daily. 



In the second test in 1915 the pigs were fed the same as in the above except 

 that the self-feeder was used for the lot fed corn and cotton-seed meal. One of 

 the pigs in the self-feeder lot was found dead on the forty-third day. The other 

 82992°— 17 6 



