566 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 



[Animal production], von Ollech (Jahresber. Landw., 28 (1913), pp. XXVI- 

 XLI, 299-/(96). — A compilation of abstracts of German articles on various phases 

 of animal production and dairying published during 1913 and previously reported 

 from other sources. 



Record of proceedings of the annual meeting, December, 1913, of the 

 American Society of Animal Production (Atiicr. Soc. Anim. Prod. Proc. 1913, 

 pp. 39, figs. 6). — This gives the proceedings of the annual meeting held in 

 (.'hicago, December 3, 1913, previously referred to (E. S. R., 30, p. 99). 



Acidosis in omnivora and herbivora and its relation to protein storage, 

 H. Steenbock, y. E. Nelson, and E. B. Hart {Jour. Biol. Chem., 19 (1914), No. 

 3, pp. 399-419). — The authors summarize the results of their studies as follows : 



"Acid rations fed to swine (omnivora) or calves (herbivora) occasion a rise 

 in urinary ammonia with a compensative fall in output of urea. Presumably 

 on a normal level of protein intake a jjart of the ammonia produced either in the 

 intestine or liver combines with acids and is excreted as the salts of these acids. 

 This power to help maintain neuti'ality by the production or use of ammonia is 

 apparently very general in all mammals. Ammonia production, under conditions 

 of exogenous protein metabolism, does not occasion an Increased nitrogen excre- 

 tion or an interference with protein storage. 



"In herbivora (calves) approximate endogenous nitrogen metabolism, accom- 

 panied by mineral acid ingestion, likewise occasions a rise in urinary ammonia, 

 but does not, on the level of acid used, cause a rise in protein catabolism, as 

 has been observed with dogs and swine. This may be due in this experiment to 

 a greater dilution of the ammonium salts incident to -i large consumption of 

 water by this class of animals. 



"Data are also given on calcium and phosphorus metabolism during both neu- 

 tral and acid, periods of low nitrogen intake, as well as on a period of high 

 nitrogen intake. Very probably the skeleton was not drawn upon for calcium 

 during the period of lowest acid ingestion. Only on a high acid ingestion did it 

 appear probable that decalcification of the bones began and then only a with- 

 drawal of calcium carbonate. 



" From the records submitted on growth and reproduction, it is believed that 

 natural acid rations, if otherwise satisfactory, are as effective for growth or 

 reproduction as those of basic character. However, until it has been shown 

 conclusively that less vigorous individuals will tolerate acid rations with per- 

 fect impunity, we are not warranted in maldng too sweeping conclusions." 



The value of acorns, horse chestnuts, and beech, mast as food for stock 

 (Jour. Bd. Agr. [Londoti], 21 {191J/), Xo. 6, pp. 511-528). — ^A general summary 

 of material collected from other sources on the value of these products for stock. 



Calcium phosphate in the rations of domestic animals. J. Denayre ( Handel. 

 Vlaamsch Xatuur en Gcnecsk. Cong., 11 (1913), pp. 218-222). — Data are cited 

 tending to show that the addition of calcium phosi)hate to the ration increases 

 the height, weight, and general conformation of young growing horses. 



The feeding value of pastures. — An experiment with different grass-seed 

 mixtures, J. Hendrick and W. M. Findlay (Trans. Highland and Agr. Soc. 

 Scot., 5. scr., 26 (1914), pp. 195-211). — Four pasture lots were calculated to 

 contain 59.3. 64.5, 67.1, and 40 per cent, respectively, of white clover. In addi- 

 tion lot 1 had 37.9 per cent perennial rye grass; lot 2. 25.S per cent perennial 

 rye grass and approximately 9 per cent cocksfoot and timothy : lot 3. 19.5 per 

 cent cocksfoot and 10.4 per cent timothy ; and lot 4, 18.7 per cent cocksfoot, 

 11.2 per cent timothy, and 20.9 per cent tall oat grass. 



