ANIMAL PRODUCTION". 469 



It is concluded that a preliminary feeding period is one of tlie best methods 

 to follow in fattening cattle for market. Corn silage was preferable to sorghum 

 silage. Tlie addition of 3 lbs. of oil meal to both the sorghum and corn silage 

 rations increased the gains and reduced the cost of production. The large 

 gains secured during the preliminary period were maintained during the fatten- 

 ing period. The addition of leguminous hays to the silage ration increased 

 the gains but did not reduce the cost. Alfalfa hay was found the best of the 

 legumes to feed with corn silage for a large gain. Corn silage as the sole 

 roughage with the grains during the fattening period proved to be a suitable 

 substitute for hay. Prairie hay did not prove to be of as much value when fed 

 with corn silage during the preliminary period, in producing a large gain, as 

 did the hays made from the legumes. Sweet clover, when made into hay 

 before the stems became too woody and the hay run through a cutter, proved 

 to be nearly as valuable for feeding with corn silage during the preliminary 

 period as alfalfa hay. 



Analyses are given of wild hay, alfalfa hay, corn silage, clover hay, and sweet 

 clover hay. 



The use of mineral phosphates in calf rearing', A. H. Faibbairn and C. 

 Hutchinson {Jour. Southeast. Agr. Col. Wye, No. 22 (1913), pp. 170-17^). — 

 Calves receiving the addition of a mineral phosphate gave no marked increase 

 in the rate of progress as compared with calves receiving an ordinary ration. 



Estimating- the age of calves, J. Schwarz (Ztschr. Tiermed., 18 {1915), No. 

 11-12, pp. 476-502, figs. 8). — The author concludes from his studies of the 

 appearance of the calf's hoof during the first few weeks after birth that the 

 character of the sole cushion is not indicative of the age of the calf, but that 

 the rings of the horny wall are indicative of the age. A calf having the first 

 hoof ring is between 5 and 14 days old; the second hoof ring, between 4 and 5 

 weeks old. 



The estimation of condition in cattle, J. A. Mueeay {Reading, Pa.: Charles 

 Elshury, 1914, PP- 11). — The author is of the opinion that the terms used by 

 farmers to denote the " condition " of cattle are vague and indefinite, and that 

 some more exact method is needed. A formula is arrived at by which the 

 condition may be found from the live weight, girth, and length. 



Origin of cattle, G. Laurer {Deut. Landw. TierzucJit., 18 {1914), Ausgahe 

 A, Nos. 48, pp. 513-516; 49, pp. 521-523, figs. 4).— This is a contribution on the 

 origin and development of our modern breeds of cattle. 



The cattle of Brazil, J. Maria dos Reis {Jour. Heredity, 6 {1915), No. 5, pp. 

 203-211, figs. 4). — The author describes the native stock of Brazil as among 

 the finest in the world, but ruined by indiscriminate cross-breeding. It is 

 stated that the introduction of the zebu is jeopardizing the live-stock industry, 

 as the hybrids are generally mid and degenerate, poor milkers, and unable to 

 raise their own offspring. 



Zebu cattle in Brazil, B. H. Hunnicutt {Jour. Heredity, 6 {1915), No. 5> 

 pp. 195-201, pi. 1, figs. 4). — ^An account of the introduction and development 

 of the zebu in Brazil. The crosses on the native stock are described as being 

 popular with ranchers, hardy, disease-resistant, and fairly good milkers. 



Zebu crosses in Tunisia, M. Roederer {Jour. Heredity, 6 {1915), No. 5, pp. 

 201, 202). — Zebu crosses with Arab cattle are described as being of good size, 

 good butcher quality, easily kept in condition, hardy, and excellent as draft 

 animals. The Asiatic race of zebu is preferred for crossing purposes. 



Measurement of the !Formosan buffalo, H. Yanagawa {Trans. Sapporo Nat. 

 Hist. Soc, 5 {1915), No. 3, pp. 143-145). — Measurements are given of the 

 Formosan buffalo, which is described as being similar to the carabao or water 

 buffalo of the Philippine Islands. 



