MM) EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Raising and fattening geese for market, II. de Cotjrcy (Jour. Bd. Ayr. [Lon- 

 don], 11 (1904), No. 8, pp. 458-467 ', figs. 3). — Geese fattening, especially the system 

 practiced for the Christmas trade in the north of Ireland by a successful goose raiser, 

 is described, and the results of a feeding test with 8 lots of 25 birds each reported. 



In '21 days the average gain per bird ranged from 'A. '24 lbs. with a lot fed in the 

 morning steeped barley, and in the evening distillery-oil cake, barley meal, and bean 

 meal :>:1 :1 wet with milk, to 4.4 lbs. with a lot fed steeped oats in the morning and 

 in the evening maize meal, barley meal, boiled potatoes, and linseed meal 2:2:2:1 

 mixed with milk. The first-mentioned ration was the cheapest and the last-men- 

 tioned the most expensive of those tested. 



"The process of fattening not only increases the size and weight, but also improves 

 the flavor and texture of the Mesh." Killing, plucking, and marketing geese are also 

 spoken of. 



The use of self-feeders, H. W. Jackson (Nat. Stockman and Farmer, 28 (1904), 

 No. 32, />/>. 16, 17). — Tests are very briefly reported in which the use of self-feeders 

 was compared with the ordinary method of feeding poultry. The data reported show 

 "that in all cases the self-feeder pens have led in number of eggs per hen but gen- 

 erally at a greater cost per dozen, though it is probable that the saving in labor will 

 offset the greater cost. It is also probable that a better understanding of conditions 

 will make it possible to produce egjjs in self-feeder pens at a lower relative cost." 



The effect of alkalis on the metabolism of hens fed meat, F. Bahrmann 

 (Arch. Internat. Pharmacodynamic, 12, No. 5-6, p. 421; abs. in Zentbl. Physiol., 18(1904), 

 No. 15, pp. 483, 484)- — In connection with experimental studies, with reference to 

 gout, of the effect of adding alkalis to a meat diet, data are recorded regarding the 

 weight of the chickens fed, the food eaten, the income and outgo of nitrogen, and 

 related topics. 



The production and preservation of eggs, A. de Villele (Rev. Agr. Reunion, 

 9 (1903), No. 10, pp. 372-376). — Data on egg production and preservation are sum- 

 marized. The author suggests the possibility of the use of molasses as a preserva- 

 tive for eggs. 



Ostrich farming, G. H. Odlum (Rhodesian Agr. Jour., 1 (1904), No. 6, pp. 180-182, 

 figs. 2).— General directions are given for raising ostriches and marketing the feath- 

 ers. The importance of alfalfa pasturage in connection with this industry is spoken 

 of. "In addition to lucern, ostriches may be fed on any green food, such as root 

 crops, cut-up green mealie [Indian corn] stalks, cabbage, etc. Growing birds should 

 also have some grain during the first year, and breeding birds require mealies dur- 

 ing the laying period." 



Report on cooperative agriculture and rural conditions in Denmark, Vis- 

 count Ikerrin, P. J. Hannon, L. J. D' Alton, and J. J. Slattery (Dept. Agr. and 

 Tech. Inst. Ireland, Bid. 7, 1903, pp. 148, jig. 1). — Among the subjects included in 

 this report are pig breeding in Denmark, cooperative dairying in Denmark, Danish 

 butter exhibitions, cattle-improvement societies, the egg industry of Denmark, horse- 

 breeding societies, and margarine inspection. 



In carrying on their work the cooperative egg societies pay for the eggs by weight, 

 take special pains to secure clean eggs, and keep records which enable them to follow 

 up the matter if stale eggs are found when the eggs which have been collected are 

 graded and packed for shipment. Some data are also given regarding the pickling 

 of eggs in large quantities in limewater when the supply is abundant. 



DAIRY FARMING— DAIRYING. 



Feeding experiments with milch cows, N. Oedegaard ( Tidsskr. Norske Landbr., 

 11 (1904), No. 4, pp. 141-174). — Concentrated jh< I in mountain dairies. — The object of 

 the experiments was to determine the economy of feeding grain to cows kept on 

 mountain pastures. Two lots of 5 cow r s each were selected in two different dairies. 





