ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 293 



In connection with the experiments brief notes are given regarding the cattle kept 

 at the several experimental farms. 



Cattle: Beef production, J. H. Grisdale (Canada Expt. Farms Rpts. 1903, pp. 

 57, 58, 67-7.9). — The station herd is briefly described and feeding tests are reported 

 in continuation of earlier work (E. S. R., 15, p. 172). In a study of the relative 

 merits of handling steers, 9 animals tied in stalls and having an average of 56 sq. ft. 

 of space per steer gained 1.58 lbs. per head per day, the cost of a pound of gain being 

 7.05 cts. The test covered 180 days. 



In the case of a similar lot of loose steers with an average of 84 sq. ft. of space per 

 steer the average daily gain per head was 1.87 lbs., the cost of a pound of gain being 

 5.32 cts., while 9 loose steers having 38 sq. ft. of space per steer made an average 

 daily gain of 1.52 lbs. per steer, the cost of a pound of gain being 6.58 cts. The 

 steers in the last two mentioned lots were dehorned. All were fed a ration of gluten 

 meal, silage, roots, and hay. 



In a study of the influence of age on the cost of beef production it was found that 

 a lot of 9 3-year-old steers in 180 days made an average daily gain of 1.58 lbs., the 

 cost of a pound of gain being 7.05 cts. Similar values in the case of 9 2-year-old 

 steers were 1.65 lbs. and 6.03 cts., with a lot of 9 yearlings 1.65 lbs. and 5.54 cts., 

 with a lot of 6 calves 6 months old 1.46 Lbs. and 5.33 cts., and with a lot of 6 new- 

 born skim-milk calves 1.48 lbs. and 2.16 cts. 



In every case the coarse food consists of roots, silage, fodder, and hay. The steers 

 and yearlings were fed gluten meal in addition and the calves a grain ration made up 

 of different proportions of oats, peas, barley, oil meal, and gluten meal. The new- 

 born calves were also given some skim milk. "In cost of production there is a quite 

 remarkable gradation in favor of the younger classes." 



In a comparison of feeding heavy rations from birth to block and feeding in the 

 usual way, that is, a limited growing ration for the first 5 or 6 months and then a 

 ■ fattening ration until the time of slaughtering, it was found that 6 steers fed a full 

 fattening ration gained 1.18 lbs. per head per day for 365 days, the cost of a pound 

 of gain being 6.13 cts. An equal number of steers fed the same length of time the 

 limited growing ration gained 0.96 lb. per day, the cost of a pound of gain being 6.22 

 cts. Five calves fed a full fattening ration for 184 days made an average daily gain 

 of 1.48 lbs. at a cost of 2.16 cts. per pound. 



Beef cattle breeding- in Argentina, F. W. Bicknel (Breeder's Oaz., 46 (1904), 

 Nos. 5, pp. 166-168; 6, pp. 208, 209, figs. 8). — The extent and condition of the cattle 

 industry in Argentina are discussed. 



To estimate the weight of cattle by measuring with a tape line, R. West 

 (Jour. Jamaica Agr. Soc, 8 (1904), -No. 7, p. 285). — Brief directions are given for 

 estimating the weight of cattle from external measurements. 



Calf-rearing experiments, second year, 1902 (Jour. Dept. Agr. and Tech. Instr. 

 Ireland, 4 (1904), A T o. 3. pp. 415-427, dgms. 2). — In continuation of earlier work (E. 

 S. R., 15, p. 802) the possibility of rearing calves on cream substitutes was studied 

 with 3 lots of 9 and 1 lot of 8 calves under practically the same conditions as in the 

 earlier test. For 20 weeks lot 1 received a whole milk ration, lot 2 a mixture of 

 whole and skim milk, lot 3 skim milk with the addition of cod-liver oil, and lot 4 

 ski in milk with a mixture of meals. The greatest gain, 291.5 lbs., per head was 

 made on the whole milk and the least gain, 244.1 lbs., on skim milk and cod-liver oil. 



The test was continued under uniform conditions after weaning to judge of the 

 effect of the rations mentioned on subsequent gains. Considering the whole period, 

 which covered 73 weeks, the greatest gain, 625.9 lbs., per head was made on whole 

 milk and the smallest gain, 531.8 lbs., per head on a mixture of whole and skim 

 milk. The whole milk ration was the most expensive. The greatest saving by 

 using whole milk substitutes amounted to $5.28 per head and was noted with the 

 ration composed of a mixture of whole and skim milk. 



