200 



sjDots appeared in four days, while the organisms multiplied enor- 

 mously in numbers and were taken still pure — in favorable cases — 

 in considerable quantity from the affected surfaces." Eabbits were 

 also inoculated, but without positive resnlts. " These tests are too 

 few and too recent to be of much import here: but they do serve to 

 show that the ' germ,' if the same as that in the experiments of Dr. 

 Billings, has not now the virulence that his had either with him or 

 myself. The identity of the tAvo is therefore still to be proved.*' 



The bacteria are described in considerable detail and illustrated 

 Avith a photo-engraving. The author states that '" Ave knoAV too little 

 of the disease to be able to suggest a remedy.'" 



BULLETIN No. 7, NOVEMBER, 1889. 



The biology of silage, T. J. BiitRiLL, Ph. D. (pp. 1T7-1K4). — 

 The object of the iuA^estigation Avas to gain ncAv informati(m concern- 

 ing the changes in silage due to fermentation and the conditions 

 under Avhich the A'arious processes of fermentation take place. The 

 nature of the yeasts, bacteria, and other ferments is briefly ex])lained. 

 The recent progress in the study of fermentation is discussed, and 

 attention is called to the fact that A-ery little has yet been done in the 

 .study of the changes in silage, though in other arts, notably in beer 

 brcAving and wine making, such studies haA'e rendered vital service. 



The iiiA'estigations Avere begun in September, 1888, and included 

 observations on silage from tAAo silos on the University farms at 

 successiA^e intervals, and on Avell-preserved corn silage of 1888 from 

 other silos. Experiments Avith silage from AAheat, corn, mixed clover 

 and timothy grass, in barrels, a Avooden box, and stone jars are also 

 described. Culture experiments AAere made by modern Ijacteriological 

 methods. In connection AAuth the microscopical and biological ol)ser- 

 vations, chemical analyses Avere made V)V A. G. Manns, Ph. D., station 

 chemist, and the methods and results stated by him in this bulletin. 



The details of the experiments are not giA^en. but the resnlts ob- 

 tained are stated and discussed at length. Though regarded by the 

 anthor as largely negative and tentative, they are of decided interest 

 and A^alue. The foUoAving summary is condensed from the bulletin: 



Fermentation in the silo and variahility of silage. — The fermenta- 

 tion of silage is exceedingly complex and is influenced by manifold 

 conditions. The organisms A\diich cause the fermentations and the 

 changes they produce are of Avidely different characters. The chem- 

 ical com})()unds Avhich undergo change, such as sugar, starch, cellu- 

 lose, and various nitrogenous substances are numerous and di\^erse. 

 The corn or other substances used for silage vary in maturity, in 

 chemical composition, and in amount of moisture. The materials 

 may be put in sloAvly or rapidly and i^acked more or less closely, and 

 the air may be more or less comi^letely excluded at the beginning and 

 later. The temperature may be high or Ioav. Indeed, the differences 



