76 



EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Siiiiniiarj/ of niiinhdli.siii crpcriiiiriils irilh jiii/x. 

 [Q\iant)tles per day.] 



A number of general deductions were drawn from the experiments, some of which 

 follow. In all the experiments in which a normal ration was fed — i. e., one in 

 which the starch was furnished by barley or potatoes — the protein was very well 

 digested. In periods in which molasses was fed the digestibility of proteids was 

 diminished and that of non-nitrogenous nutrients increased. (Tenerally speaking, 

 the coefficients of digestibility of fats were low. As noted by other observers, the 

 amount of carbon dioxid excreted was proportional to body weight. Less was 

 excreted in the molasses period than in other periods. On the whole the authors 

 regard molasses as a somewhat better feeding stuff than starch in the form of barley. 

 Better results were also obtained with molasses than with sugar. From these 

 experiments sugar does not appear to possess a higher nutritive value than other 

 carbohydrates. The authors note that it can be regarded also as a stimulant. An 

 examination of the fat of the pigs showed that molasses did not exercise an unfavor- 

 a1)le effect on its composition. 



Tankage as a food for swine, C. S. Plumb {Froc. Soc. Prom. Agr. Sci., 1901, pp. 

 55-95).— Noted from another publication (E. S. R., 13, p. 1079). 



Experimental contributions to the theory of heredity, J. C. Ewart {Trans. 

 Highland and Agr. Soc, Scotland, 5. ser., U {1902), jrp. 112-229, figs. ;?^).— The author 

 discusses in a critical manner a number of the cases usually mentioned as supporting 

 the hypothesis of telegony in horses. In all cases other simpler explanations are found 

 for the actual phenomena which were o])served without resorting to any theory of 

 "infection," "corruption," or influence of a previous sire. The experiments con- 

 ducted by the author were chiefly conflned to the production of crosses between 

 horses and zebras, and the raising of colts from the same mares after production of 

 the hybrids. In these experiments chestnut, brown, and black mares were 

 employed, anel in some cases the mare was bred alternately to zebra and horse stal- 

 lions, in order to give the best possible opportunity for judging any influence of the 

 zebra upon the appearance or conformation of the offspring. No evidence whatever 

 was obtained in support of the theory of telegony. The colts obtained in mares 

 which had jireviously been bred to zebras were true to their parents in every respect 

 and exhibited no mental or physical traits of tlie zebra. A brief review is given of 

 the results of the experiments of Baron de Parana, in Brazil. His experiments were 

 based on extensive raising of mules, and the observations of de Parana and his 

 acquaintances engaged in the same occupation are distinctly opposed to the theory 

 of the influences of the previous sire. 



