ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 775 



Stomach, intestines, pancreas, liver, Iciduey. ovary, and iiterns of growing slieep 

 and cattle. 



The origin and qualifications of the Ferrandaise breed of cattle, P. GiixiN 

 (Asf^oc. FraiiQ. Avanc. Scl., Coiiipt. Rend., S7 (/.'WN). pp. 105.'t-105d). — A descrip- 

 tion of the characteristics of this breed, formerly linown as Ferrando-foreziens 

 and officially recognized as a distinct breed in 1902. Recent endeavors to 

 improve the breed are briefly noted. 



The selection of Garonnais cattle, E. Rabat6 {Prog. Agr. et Vit. (Ed. VEst- 

 Ccntre), 31 (1910). Xo. 3S, pp. 3(11-36^. figs. 2).— A detailed description of the 

 best types of this breed. 



The cattle trade of western Canada, J. C. Ruthebfoed (Canada Dept. Agr., 

 Branch Live Stock Comr., Spec. Rpt., 1909, Aug., pp. 23). — A special report on 

 the history of the Canadian range, the present method of wintering calves, feed- 

 ing and finishing mature cattle, and the outlook for the dressed meat trade. 



Some facts about caracul sheep, edited by C. C. Young (Holliday, Tex. 

 [1909]. pp. 20, figs. 16). — A collection of articles from various sources on the 

 history and characteristics of this breed. 



Russian sheep raising, J. H. Grout (Daily Cons, and Trade Rpts. [TJ. S.], 

 13 (1910), No. 80, p. 68). — This is a brief report on the decrease in wool pro- 

 duction in European Russia as a result of the passing into peasants' hands of 

 vast estates where large herds of sheep were wont to graze. This change has 

 been brought about by the increased rate of land rent and the ability of the 

 poorer classes to borrow money from the peasants' bank. The recent wool clip 

 is reported to be fair in quality but dirty, so that the percentage of washed 

 wool will be much reduced. 



Notes on raising' wool breeds of sheep in the highlands of the Senegal- 

 Niger region, Yuillet (Agr. Prat. Pays Chaiuls, 10 (1910), No. S-'i, pp. 202- 

 213). — An account of the wool industry in this region, witli suggestions con- 

 cerning its better development. 



The growing and preparation of wool for the South African market, J. J. 

 McCall (.V«^;/ Agr. Jour., 15 (1910), No. 2, pp. 179-186).— A popular article 

 on raising lambs, shearing sheep, and sorting and packing fleece. 



Textile fibers of animal origin, D. Zolla (Les Fibres Textiles d'Origine 

 AnimaJe. Paris, 1910, pp. I N-\-362-\-XII, charts 18). — This is one of a series of 

 popular treatises, and considers the history and present status of silk culture 

 and wool growing, more particularly of France and the French colonies. Though 

 the work is largely statistical, some practical matters relating to the rearing 

 of silkworms and the n)anagoment of sheep are included. 



Is it desirable to spay young sows intended for fattening? Haktmann 

 (Mitt. Vrr. Dent. Schircinrziiclitcr, 16 (1909), Nos. 22, pp. 311-322; 23, pp. 333- 

 331). — In this experiment 4 sows were spayed when (> weeks of age, at which 

 time their total weight was 44 kg. For 7 months this lot made smaller gains 

 than an CHjual number of unspayed sows with a total initial weight of 49 kg., 

 but at the end of the eighth month both lots weighetl the same amount. Three 

 months later, at the time of slaughtering, the spayed sows weighed 9 lbs. more 

 than the unspayed and dressed 79.3 per cent live weight, as compared with 78.65 

 per cent for the unspa.ved animals. 



The .measurement of the thoracic cavity of horses, and the correct sig- 

 nificance of the heart weight, lung weight, and thoracic cavity volume, 

 K. L. voN LuTzow (Laiidic. .Jalirb.. 39 (1910), No. 3. pp. ',29-'i.i6. figs. 2).— In 

 answer to Miiller (E. S. R.. 22, p. 776) more details are given concerning the 

 method of measuring the thoracic cavity, and there is a further discussion of 

 the relative importance of the thoracic organs. 



