622 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The production of wool on molasses was 73 per cent and on peat 

 molasses cake 50 per cent of that on barley meal. 



The ration containing molasses was much more profitable than that 

 containing barley meal, and molasses was moi-e profitable than peat 

 molasses cake. 



The fat produced by the barley ration had a higher melting point 

 than that produced by the ration containing molasses. The barley 

 ration produced flesh with higher percentages of muscular tissue and 

 materials soluble in ether, whde the fresh molasses produced more dry 

 matter and ash. 



Experiments -with geese, S. Cushman {Rhode Island Sta. BjH. 

 1895, ]}p. 327-358, ph. 4). — This is a more detailed account of work pre- 

 viously reported (E. S. E., 7, p. 889), and contains in addition the results 

 of the third season's experiments in breeding geese. The following 

 breeds and crosses were tested: Embden-Brown China, Embden-Tou- 

 louse, Brown China, Embden-African, Toulouse Brown China, Embdeu- 

 White China, African-Brown China, African-Toulouse, Pure African, 

 Pure Embden, and Prince Edwards Island. Detailed records of the 

 egg yields for each pen of geese are given in tabular form. The 

 weight of an average specimen of each cross is given, and the live and 

 dressed weights of the geese as exhibited at the winter show of the 

 Rhode Ishnnl Poultry Association are tabulated. 



"The Enibdeu-Africau cross were very easy to i)ick, light colored when dressed, 

 and large, plump, and liandsome. The Embdeu-White China cross picked the easiest 

 of these crosses, were white when dressed, and although small were very plump, 

 and presented the most attractive appearance. . . . 



"White China geese are the smallest and weakest of all breeds, but lay early and 

 late in the season a great number of large eggs, and if mated with the Embden ganders 

 I)roduce vigorous, quick-growing goslings, which are very plump and solid. . . 



" Tor trade that requires a large goose at Christmas or New Year's the Eml>den- 

 Toulouse would be most suitable of these crosses. Pure Africans, Embden, and 

 Embden-African cros>e8 get their best growth early in the season, and should be 

 sold early. Pure Brown Chinas, African-Toulouse, and African-Brown China crosses 

 should be dressed before fall, in order that they may pick well. . . . The white- 

 plumaged Embden and the crosses that are white are comparatively easy to pick 

 even in the fall."' 



The following conclusions are some of those drawn from all of the 

 author's experiments with geese : 



Old geese lay a greater number of larger eggs and are more reliable 

 than young geese. Xevertheless, if geese must be purchased it often 

 saves time to buy young geese rather than to attempt to secure any 

 number of old ones. Young ganders are better for breeding than young 

 geese. Young geese do not lay as many fertile eggs or produce as 

 many goslings the first breeding season as they do the second. If 

 geese are often changed from one place to another, they are apt not to 

 breed well, and the other conditions being e(iual they breed better the 

 third sea.son they are in a locality than the second. 



" Breeding geese should be secured as early in the fall as possible, not later than 

 October, to insure the l>est results. This gives them sufficient time to become 



