270 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.38 



an explanation of the inheritance of tortoise-shell coat color or black-and- 

 orange spotting in cats. This is followed by a general comparison of tricolor 

 in guinea pigs, Basset hounds, and cats. 



[Miscellaneous experiments in animal husbandry] (Pennsylvania Sta. Bui. 

 147 (1917), pp. S-lJf, figs. 6). — A number of short articles are included. 



Swine fattening experiment. — This was made to test the value of nitroge- 

 nous supplements to corn and different methods of preparing corn in pig 

 feeding. Thirty-five pigs, weighing about 110 lbs. each, were divided into 

 five lots of seven pigs each and fed from November 10, 1916, to February 2, 

 1917. Lot 1 on shelled corn and tankage (10:1) made an average dr.ily gi-.ln 

 per head of 0.93 lb., at a cost of 8.45 cts. per pound of gain; lot 2 on corn 

 meal and tankage (10:1) gained 1.19 lbs., at a cost of 8.66 cts. per pound; 

 lot 3 on corn meal and linseed meal (7:1) gained 0..51 lbs., at a cost of 

 15.1 cts. per pound; lot 4 on corn meal and chopped alfalfa hay (4:1) gained 

 0.31 lb., at a cost of 20.17 cts. per pound ; and lot 5 on ear corn ad libitum 

 and 4 lbs. of tankage per 1,000 lbs. of live weight daily gained 0.99 lb., at 

 a cost of 7.83 cts. per pound. 



Brood sows. — Four lots of four brood sows each were maintained during the 

 gestation period (114 days) on the following rations: Lot 1 on alfalfa hay at 

 an average cost of $5.69 each ; lot 2 on alfalfa hay ad libitum and 1 lb. of 

 shelled corn daily per 100 lbs. live weight at a cost of $10.46; lot 3 on a mixture 

 of .shelled corn and tankage (10: 1) fed at the rate of 2 lbs. per 100 Ihs. live 

 weight at a cost of $7.22 ; and lot 4 equal parts of corn meal, ground oat-s, 

 and wheat middlings fed at the rate of 2 lbs. daily per 100 lbs. live weight at a 

 cost of $25.23. All lots gained in weight except lot 1. The pigs farrowed in 

 lot 4 were not so uniform and vigorous as those in the other lots. 



A cross-breeding experiment urith sheep. — The plan is noted. 



Maintenance of breeding flocks of mutton and wool sheep. — Further notes 

 are given on the progress of this work, begun in December, 1911. The only 

 change made during the year was in the rations fed the ewes during the winter. 

 The general conclusion from the season's feeding was that the lambs produced 

 on the various rations were very similar and that the cost of alfalfa hay was 

 greater than mixed hay. Comparisons are drawn between the Shropshire and 

 the Delaine Merino ewes as shown by the 5^ years of investigation. 



The maintenance of a beef breeding herd. — Previously noted in detail from 

 Bulletin 138 (E. S. R., 35, p. 168). 



Steer feeding experiments. — During the year 72 head of steers were fed under 

 two lines of investigation. In the first, five lots of 12 steers each were used to 

 test the feeding value of rations for medium weight cattle under Pennsylvania 

 conditions. The results indicated a marked advantage in using silage as a 

 roughage for feeding cattle. The steers receiving no corn except that in silage 

 made an average doily gain per head of 2.08 lbs. during 140 days. The shrink- 

 age with the silage-fed cattle was a little greater, while those receiving a heavy 

 silage ration v/ith a small amount of corn stover had the least shrinkage. 

 Those on a heavy silage ration sold for a higher price and gave the greatest 

 profit. 



In a comparison of broken ear corn or shelled corn with corn-and-cob meal or 

 corn meal with two lots of 6 steers each, the former had a larger amount of pork 

 to its credit, but the latter produced heavier daily gains, a better finish, sold 

 for a higher price, and made the greater profit. 



Studies in the malcing of corn stover silage. — It was found that corn stover 

 can be cut successfully in an ordinary silage cutter. In corn stover silage mak- 

 ing, twice the amount of water by weight should be added. Chemical and bac- 

 teriological tests showed the same fermentations as in ordinary corn silage. Max- 



