ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 399 



Cuba, the methods of handling and slaughtering, and similar topics. As regards 

 Cuban feeding stuffs, the author states that some 30 different varieties of grasses are 

 to be found on the island, but that Parana and Guinea grass are the most important, 

 especially the former. 



As regards the importance of meat in the Cuban diet, the author considers it a 

 staple food. "Habana alone slaughters daily 300 head of cattle besides some sheep 

 and hogs. In addition to this, large quantities of dressed, salt, and jerked meats are 

 imported." Very lean meat is preferred. 



Little sketches of famous beef cattle, C. S. Plumb (Columbus, Ohio: Author, 

 1904, pp- 99). — The articles included in this volume were originally published in the 

 ( 'hicago Daily Drovers' Journal and were written mainly for students of animal hus- 

 bandry and such readers as are interested in the history of breeds. Twenty-five 

 famous animals are included in the list, 11 of these being Shorthorns, 7 Aberdeen- 

 Angus, 6 Herefords, and 1 Galloway. 



These sketches, Professor Plumb states, " were not intended to be extended studies 

 of individuals and their varying relations to the breeds, but were, rather, life sketches 

 giving the more important reasons why the animals discussed became famous. Each 

 animal may be regarded as a really famous one, with important historical breed con- 

 nections. There are hundreds of other famous animals distributed through a century 

 of Shorthorn, Hereford, Aberdeen- Angus, and Galloway history. . . . Nevertheless, 

 the 25 sketches . . . are of animals that have played most important parts and are 

 clearly entitled to the prominence here given them." The information has been 

 gathered from a variety of sources, many of which are not readily accessible, and the 

 data can not fail to be of use. 



Live stock in Mexico, Biorklund (Diplomatic and Consular Rpts. [Great Britain'],, 

 misc. ser., 1904, No. 614, pp- 41)- — The present conditions of the live stock industry 

 in Mexico are described, as well as the efforts which are being made to develop this 

 industry. According to statistics for the year ended June 30, 1902, the approximate 

 number of horned cattle in Mexico was 5,142,475, goats 4,206,011, sheep 3,424,430, 

 horses 859,247 pigs 616,139, mules 334,435, and donkeys 287,991. 



Fattening range lambs, J. W. Wilson and H. G. Skinner (South Dakota Sta. 

 Bui. 86, pp. 16, fig. 1). — A test covering 111 days was made with 10 lots containing 

 10 lambs each at the beginning of the trial, to study the relative value of macaroni 

 wheat, spelt, millet ( Black veronesh ), and some more common grains. In every case 

 0.5 lb. of grain was fed per head daily at first, the amount being increased as the test 

 progressed. Lot 1 was fed wheat, lot 2 macaroni wheat, lot 3 oats, lot 4 barley, 

 lot 5 spelt, lot 6 millet, lot 7 corn, lot 8 corn and spelt, lot 9 barley and spelt, ami lot 

 10 macaroni wheat and spelt. Prairie grass hay and Bromus inermis hay were fed in 

 addition to the grain. 



The average daily gain per head ranged from 0.21 lb. on macaroni wheat and spelt 

 to 0.28 lb. on the wheat, the macaroni wheat, and the millet rations. The cost of a 

 pound of gain ranged from 5.2 cts. on corn to 8.2 cts. on macaroni wheat and spelt. 

 Three weeks before the close of the test the sheep were sheared, and the effect of 

 shearing on the results obtained is discussed. The amount of wool ranged from 

 46.75 lbs. with the lot fed corn to 59.5 lbs. with the lot fed spelt. 



As regards the millet, a trial test made with 5 head of sheep had shown that a 

 large proportion of the unground seed was excreted undigested and that the animals 

 did not thrive as they should, consequently, the millet in the feeding experiment 

 reported was coarsely ground. The authors note that during the entire feeding 

 period the lot of lambs receiving this grain were as thrifty and consumed their feed 

 with as much relish and made quite as uniform gains- as any other lot. 



Among the authors' conclusions are the following: 



"The record of the lot fed on spelt in this test confirms the results obtained by 



