1U10] ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 'J 7 7 



such machines nre now offered for sale, nil consisting essentially of a In .ivy 

 cast cylinder that revolves on a horizontal shaft and carries knives or cutting 

 teeth passing close to a chopping block to which the material is carried by a 

 feeding mechanism or by gravity. The bulletin includes a compilation of 

 chemical analyses of the different species. These figures and the experience 

 of the men who have fed the plants agree In showing that the feeds are of low 

 nutritive value and are to be considered as roughages, but constitute valuable 

 emergency feed fur range cattle and sheep In times of extreme drought if prop- 

 erly prepared. D;ita :is to the quantity to be fed, mechanical condition of the 

 feed, and the cost of preparing it are given. 



Only two of the species, the bear grass (Yucca glauca) and the soap weed (Y. 

 data), can be expected to reproduce themselves without special effort to insure 

 u new crop. The plants, therefore, should be used only under emergency 

 conditions and permitted to grow undisturbed during favorable seasons. 



Range cow maintenance on Yucca and sotol, L. Fosteb and C. W. Humble 

 (New Mexico Sta. Bui. 114 (1918), pp. 27, figs. 9). — The maintenance of range 

 cows on Yucca and sotol is discussed. Descriptions of sotol and of species of 

 Yucca are given, and the results of feeding tests with these plants as a source 

 of feed are reported. The species of Yucca used in the experiments was the 

 pweed (Yucca data). The dry leaves were burned from the plant, and the 

 stem was then cut off at the ground and sliced or chopped up for feed. The 

 sotol feed was prepared similarly but only the compact head of the plant was 

 used. 



The feeding tests were conducted with 25 range cows in thin condition and 

 from two to four years old. These cows were divided into five equal lots, of 

 which two were fed sotol heads and three on Yucca stems at the rate of 25 lbs. 

 per head per day. Three of the lots, including one receiving the sotol feed, 

 were given in addition, daily. 2 lbs. of cottonseed meal per head. For the two 

 lots receiving no cottonseed meal the daily ration was later increased to 30 lbs. 

 per day of sotol and Yucca. One lot of cows entered the experiment with their 

 calves, while in the other four lots 10 calves were born during the period of the 

 test. January 12 to June 25. 



The results of the experiment are considered as evidence that cows may be 

 maintained on either Yucca data stems or sotol heads, without other feed. 

 through long periods of drought. The best results were secured with the lots 

 receiving the cottonseed meal. The five calves coming into the experiment with 

 their dams but being allowed the run of a separate lot, where they were fed 

 cottonseed meal tip to 0.5 lb. per head per day and all the Yucca they would eat, 

 made a total gain of OSS lbs. for the entire period of the experiment. The gain 

 was made at a very small cost of feed and the calves were in fine condition 

 when they went back to the range the middle of July. Until the cows became 

 accustomed to the feed the succulence of the Yucca and sotol plants had a 

 loosening effect, but when they were given the run of a brush pasture the dry 

 feed they obtained tended to counteract this condition. 



Analyses and preliminary coefficients of digestibility are also reported. A 

 report by C. L. Forsling. of the Forest Service of the U. S. Department of 

 Agriculture, on Collection, Preparation, and Feeding of Soapweed under Prac- 

 tical Range Conditions on the Jornada Range Reserve is included. 



A chest contour caliper and its adaptability for measuring sheep. E. G. 

 Kitzman (New Hampshire Sta. Set, Contrib, 11, pp. 11, figs. 7). — The desirabil- 

 ity of greater accuracy In body measurements taken in connection with animal 

 husbandry studies is pointed out. and a chest contour caliper designed at the 

 station for use in experimental breeding work with sheep Is described. Detailed 

 directions for its use are also given. 



