ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 



ni 



111 tliig rdfo also the coeftirieiitw of (li,L't'stil>ility of tlii' fat of barley wa.s lower than 

 that of the other grains. As the author points out, digestirjn exi)eritiieiits with 

 poultry jiresent this ditiieulty, vi/, the urine aixl feces are excreted together; there- 

 fore, in determining the coetticients oi digestibility of protein, the amount of uric 

 acid and ammonia excreted was determined and the sum deducted from the total 

 nitrogen. The remainder was assumed to represent the nitrogen of the undigested 

 protein. 



In discussing these experiments and those reported above (see milch cows, sheep, 

 and pigs), the author draws general deductions coiu-erning rye as a concentrated 

 feed, some of which follow: Rye may be profitably used as a feeding stuff, but some 

 precautions are necessary in the method of feeding, and in the selection of other 

 constituents of the ration. Rye should be soaked or coarsely ground. On account 

 of the low content of the crude tiber and the low coefficients of digestibility of the fat, 

 this grain can not be recommended as a concentrated feed for horses or young cattle. 

 When, on account of its comparatively low cost, rye must be used, the other feeding 

 stuffs should lie chosen so that the necessary fat is supplied. No injury to health 

 was observed when rye was fed except in the case of pigs fed this grain alone. Such 

 injury the author Ijelieved due to ergot and other impurities. 



As l:)earing upon the low coefficients of digestibility of the fat of rye, the author 

 reports a number oi determinations by P. Kotow of the chemical cliaracter of the 

 fat from the grain and straw of rye and oats. The results follow: 



Comparison of the fat of rye, oats, rye straw, and oat straw. 



The differences observed in these fats are discussed, and it is stated that further 

 studies will Ije reported on the relation between the chemical constituents of fat to 

 its digestibility. 



Vetch as concentrated feed, W. von Kxierie.m {Landir. Jahrb., 29 {1900), No. 3, 

 pp. 524-040). — The value of vetch seed ( Vlcia saliva) is discussed, many investiga- 

 tions previously reported b ing cited. The author rejiorts experiments made at the 

 Peterhof Experimental Farm with cows by Schaposchnikoff and A. Buschmann and 

 with jiigs by M. von Wichert. The digestibility of vetch seed was tested with rab- 

 bits and compared with that of pea meal. 



It is stated that because of its cheapness vetch-seed meal has been fed to the 

 dairy herd at the Peterhof P^xperimental Farm for several years. Increasing 

 amounts were fed, aggregating in one year 1,421 lbs. per head, or a daily average of 

 almost 4 lbs. It favorably influenced the milk yield, the cows ate the vetch-seed 

 meal readily, and it was not detrimental to the health of a single individual. 



In an experiment by Schaposchnikoff a cow was feed during 3 periods with 35 lbs. 

 of clover hay. During the second period 5 lbs. of vetch-seed meal was added to the 

 daily ration. With the vetch ration there was a large increase in the yield of milk 

 and in the i)ercentage of protein and a decrease of the percentage of butter fat. The 

 cow ate the vetch with relish, and no unfavorable results were apparent. 



In another exi)eriment liy A. Buschman, a comparison was made between vetch- 

 seed meal and cocoanut meal. These 2 concentrated feeds were fed in connection 

 with 15 lbs. of trefoil clover and 10 lbs. of o&t straw daily. This amount of vetch-seed 



2453— No. 2— Ui G 



