278 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



silicate, in a solution containing 5 per cent gum arabic and 1 per cent formalin, in 

 one containing 5 per cent gum arabic and 5 per cent salicylic acid, and in one con- 

 taining 5 per cent dextrin and 5 per cent salicylic acid. Eggs were also dipped for a 

 moment in sulphuric acid, then washed and stored in a large bottle; others were 

 dipped momentarily' in sulphuric acid, washed and dipped in alkaline ammonium 

 oxalate, then stored in a large bottle. Some of the eggs stored in limewater were 

 first rubbed with vaseline. 



"These experiments corroborate many of the results obtained last year, and give 

 further proof of the excellence of the eggs preserved in saturated limewater. We 

 think that, on the whole, 2 per cent sodium silicate gives better results than the 10 

 per cent solution experimented with last year, but we are also of the opinion that 

 limewater is superior to both as an egg preservative. Moreover, it is cheaper and 

 pleasanter to handle." 



The eggs preserved in a solution containing 1 per cent formalin developed a marked 

 flavor on poaching; a sample of those in the solution containing 5 per cent gum 

 arabic and 6 per cent salicylic acid, "though not unsightly, had a most nauseating 

 odor and was quite unfit for food." The eggs preserved in dextrin solution and 

 those dipi^ed in sulphuric acid were all bad. 



Poultry, 1899-1900, K. Eobeetson, S. A. Bedford, and A. Mackay {Canada 

 Expt. Farms Rpts. 1900, pp. 311 and 368). — A brief report regarding the poultry kept 

 at the Maritime Provinces, Brandon, and Indian Head Experimental Farms. 



Squab raising, G. H. Pollard {Reliable Poultry Jour., 8 {1901), No. 4, pp. 396- 

 399, figs. 6). — Squab raising for market is discussed with special reference to feeding 

 and care, preparation for market, cost of raising and related topics. 



DAIRY FARMING— DAIRYING. 



The development of a dairy herd, A. T. Neale {Delaware Sta. Rpt. 1900, pp. 

 8-13) . — Brief notes are given on the establishment of a dairy herd at the station, and 

 an experiment in which the utilization of weevil-eaten cowpeas for calves was tested 

 and a trial of different rations for milch cows are reported. Feeding weevil-eaten 

 cowpeas to 12 heifers as a substitute for wheat bran at the same price per ton resulted 

 in a saving of $7.20 per month. A table shows the daily yield of butter from each of 

 3 cows at intervals from March 7 to July 30, during which time 9 rations, including 

 different kinds of pasture, were compared. The results are briefly discussed. 



Dairy studies, C. L. Penny {Delaware Sta. Rpt. 1900, pp. 98-96). — A comparison 

 in tabular form is made of the records of 13 cows belonging to a private herd during 

 2 lactation periods. The annual amount of fluctuation in yield of fat ranged from 102 

 to 259 per cent and averaged 137 per cent. "Thus it seems from this experience that 

 the average annual yield of butter fat may be expected to change about three-tenths 

 of itself from one period of lactation to the next, and any conclusion drawn from a 

 single year's test must be received with the reservation that it will probably increase 

 or diminish in the following year in that proportion and possibly in a greater propor- 

 tion." The production of the herd averaged 7,087 lbs. of milk and 354 lbs. of butter 

 during the first lactation period, and 6,874 lbs. of milk and 322 lbs. of butter during 

 the second. 



In discussing briefly compensation in yield the author says: " When one entire 

 lactation period is compared with another, in the great majority of cases even partial 

 compensation between weight of milk and percentage of fat does not exist. What- 

 ever cause may tend to increase the average flow of milk through a lactation period, 

 in the great majority of cases increases also the percentage of fat." Earlier work 

 along this line was published in the report of the station for 1898 (E. S. R., 11, p. 

 485). 



