586 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Vaucluse, (lie author reports experiments on the use of phosphoric arid for herbivora 

 which led to the conclusion that such an addition was beneficial. 



Metabolism experiments with the end products of peptic and tryptic diges- 

 tion of protein, E. J. Lessee (Ztschr. Biol., '/■'< ( 1904), No. 4, pp- 497-510). — Experi- 

 ments with dogs led to the conclusion that while the digestion product obtained with 

 pepsin might perhaps replace protein this was not the case with the tryptic digestion 

 product. 



Intraorganic combustion, J. Tissot (Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. Paris, 188 (1904), 

 No. 24, i>j>. 1545-1547). — The author concludes from his experiments with a dog that 

 intraorganic combustion is independent of the amount of oxygen in the arterial blood. 



Text-book of animal production, G. Pusch (Lehrbuch der aUgemeinen Tierzueht. 

 Stuttgart: Ferdinand Enke, 1904, pp- XII + 388, figs. 795).— This volume contains 

 chapters on the principles of animal production, races, breeds, breeding, feeding, and 

 management of farm animals, and related topics, as well as descriptions of breeds, 

 construction of stalls, etc., the volume being designed as a text-book for students. 



Domestic animals, E. V. Wilcox (New York State Library Legislation Bui. 22o, 

 pp. 17-26). — The laws enacted during the past year in 28 States relating to domestic 

 animals are summarized, including those dealing with the inspection of animals, 

 watering of stock, trespassing, and other topics. 



Feeding experiments with cattle, E. A. Burnett and H. R. Smith (Nebraska 

 Sta. Bui. 85, pp. 22, figs. 5). — A lot containing 20 steers was fed on an average 6 lbs. of 

 grain and a similar lot of 15 animals 3 lbs. of grain per head per day in addition in 

 each case to alfalfa hay and prairie hay, while a third lot also containing 15 steers 

 was fed the hay only, the object being to study the value of hay with and without 

 grain. The grain mixture used consisted approximately of corn, bran, oats, and oil 

 meal in about the proportion of 5:3:3:1. 



In the 18 weeks of the test the average daily gain per steer ranged from 0.56 lb. 

 with the lot fed no grain to 1.57 lbs. with the lot fed the larger grain ration. The 

 gain was most cheaply made with the latter lot, costing 4.53 cts. per pound, and 

 least cheaply with the former lot, costing 7 cts. per pound. The greatest range in 

 feed eaten per pound of gain was also noted with these two lots, being from 9.6 to 

 23.7 lbs. After the test closed in the spring the lots were grazed for about 7 months. 

 The greatest gain, 212 lbs. per steer, was made by the lot previously fed hay only 

 and the least gain, 176 lbs. per steer, by the lot which had formerly received the 

 larger grain ration. Considering both feeding periods, the cost of a pound of gain 

 ranged from 3.14 cts. with the lot fed the light grain ration, to 3.46 cts. with the lot 

 fed the heavy grain ration. 



"Calves which have been full grain-fed during the winter are certain to lose a part 

 of their grain flesh when placed on green grass without grain. On the other hand, 

 wintering without grain of any kind and allowing calves to run down in flesh and 

 lose weight and vitality is not economical. A small grain ration added to hay or 

 stalks or both keeps the digestive tract in better condition and produces enough 

 better gains to pay a good price for the grain fed, while it does not keep young steers 

 from eating roughness in considerable quantity, a factor of importance in the 

 economical production of beef." 



Shortly after the close of the above test the steers were divided into 5 uniform lots 

 of 10 each for use in a test of the relative value of different sorts of coarse fodder. 

 Lots 1 and 3 were fed prairie hay and alfalfa hay, respectively, with corn as a grain 

 ration. Lots 2, 4, and 5 were fed prairie hay, corn stover, and sorghum, respectively, 

 the grain ration consisting of corn with oil meal. 



In the 6 months covered by the trial the average gain ranged from 1.35 lbs. per 

 head per day with lot 1 on corn and prairie hay to 1.97 lbs. with lot 3 on corn and 

 alfalfa hay. The smallest amount of grain, 7.7 lbs., and total food, 12.4 lbs., eaten 

 per pound of gain was noted with the last-mentioned lot and the largest amounts of 



