ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 769 



ceived Ki kg. stareli value per l.OUU kg. live vveight. U)t 1 made uu average 

 daily gaiu of O.TGT kg. per head, and lot 2, 0.777 kg. 



Alfalfa silag-e for fattening steers, G. H. True, F. W. Woll, and V. F. 

 DoLciNi {California Sta. Virc. 12-'f (1915), pp. 4)- — With a view to determining 

 the feeding value of silage made from first cutting alfalfa composed of at least 

 half foxtail and weeds. 107 3- and 4-year-old native range steers weighing 

 approximately 970 lbs. each were fed -10 days a daily ration of 10.0 lbs. alfalfa 

 hay, L'0.2 lbs. silage, and 8.4 lbs. rolled barley. They made an average dally 

 gaiu of 1.53 lbs. per head, requiring per pound of gain 0.0 lbs. hay, 13.1 lbs. 

 silage, and 5.4 lbs. barley. 



The alfalfa was put into the silo about .May 1 and feeding was begun in 

 July. " The silage as fed out was well made, of a dark brown color, and of 

 slightly acidulated, aromatic flavor. That in the l®wer part of the silo was 

 more moist than that in the upper part and was apparently relished best b.v 

 the .steers. While most of the silage was not taken with i);irticular relish, It 

 was always eaten up clean, with the exception of a few days during the middle 

 of July when a laj-er of partially spoiled silage was reached, at a point where 

 the filling of the silo had been interrupted for a couple of days. The foxtail 

 heads, which would have caused great trouble in feeding the alfalfa as hay, 

 were eaten before having a chance to dry out." 



The chemical composition of the alfalfa silage was found to be moisture 70. 

 protein 3.4, fat 0.34. nitrogen-free extract 11.72, fiber 5.50. and ash 2.9S per cent, 

 with 0.4 per cent of volatile acids and 0.91 per cent of fixed acids. 



An examination of the carcasses after .slaughter showed accumulations of 

 foxtail in the mouths of practically all the steers, which emphasizes the neces- 

 sity for cutting the alfalfa for silage before the foxtail beards become hard. 



Prickly-pear experiments, E. W. Horn (Dept. Agr. Bomhay Bui. 58 {1913), 

 pp. II. pis. 10). — Six bullocks in exceptionally poor condition were fed the 

 common variety of prickly pear found in Bombay, from which the spines had 

 been removed by burning and which had been cut into small pieces. About 

 lbs. of cotton seed per 100 lbs. of pear was included in the ration to make 

 it sufficiently nutritious. Four of the bullocks took to the pear readily, while 

 some ditficulty was experienced with the remainder. 



The pear feeding appeared to atfect the excrement, making the feces of a 

 slatish color and rather liquid, though at no time was there a tendency to 

 scour. The urine was somewhat excessive in quantity but appeared quite 

 normal in quality. The bullocks after a short time steadily gained in weight 

 until a maximum was reachetl, after which the weiglits were i)ractically con- 

 stant. The average quantity of pear consumed was 32 lbs. per head i^er day, 

 or about 72 lbs. per 1,(X)0 lbs. live weight, varying as the pear contained more 

 or less moisture. Assuming the coefficient of digestibility to be 66 per cent 

 it is estimated that this allowance gave a maintenance ration, being only 

 deficient 0.58 lb. of carbohydrate according to Haecker's standard. It i.s 

 stated that as the weights of the animals increased their appearance improved, 

 their coats becoming smooth and glossy, their eyes bright, and their health and 

 general appearance excellent. 



Very little water was needed by the bullocks while on the pear feed, although 

 with the addition of 2 oz. of salt they drank a normal quantity. 



Feeding tests with cows and buffaloes in milk were inconclusive. The com- 

 position of the pear during the dry season is given as follows : Moisture 79.32 

 l)er cent, protein 0.68, fat 0.78, carbohydrates 11.61, fiber 2.48, and ash 5.13; 

 during the wet season, 92.65, 0.31, 0.22. 4.37. 0.85, and 1.6, respectively. 



It is concluded, that the pear may be used as an efficient and economical feed 

 for cattle during periods of drought and feed shortage. 



