]^70 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 35 



male and the other female, the reproductive system of the female is largely 

 suppressed, and certain male organs even develop in the female. This is unques- 

 tionably to be interpreted as a case of hormone action." The author states 

 that fertile free martins in cattle may be due to a monochorial condition in 

 which the circulation of each fetus is closed. 



Caracul sheep, F. R. Marshall, L. L. Heller, and V. O. McWhorter ( U. S. 

 Dcpt. Ayr. Yearbook 1915, pp. 2/,S-262, pis. 12).— This article treats of the breed 

 characteristics of caracul sheep, their introduction into the United States and 

 other countries, breeding methods, time and method of removing "the skins, and 

 classes of fur. 



In experiments in crossing caracul rams and ewes of other breeds, conducted 

 by this Department, poor results were obtained from the use of Cheviot and 

 Merino ewes, thus indicating that none of the fine or medium wool breeds are 

 likely to have much value in the production of fur-bearing lambs. Somewhat 

 better results were obtained with Cotswold ewes. Crosses made with Barbados 

 ewes gave skins of an inferior grade. 



Fifteen lialf-bred caracul-Barbados yearling ewes were bred to an imported 

 caracul ram, with considerable variation in the character of the offspring. 

 Experiments were also conducted in crossing half-bred caracul rams and 

 Barbados ewes. The results were not altogether satisfactory, and it is con- 

 cluded that there is little prospect of securing marketable skins by breeding 

 half-bred rams to ewes of any class. However, it is stated that a ram having 

 one-half caracul blood will add to a Hock an infusion of the body features 

 which this breed shows and will in a small measure and at low cost improve 

 a flock that is to be later bred up for fur production. 



Observations show that the value of the skins may be often greatly lessened 

 by allowing the lambs to reach too great an age. Occasionally a skin will im- 

 prove in luster during the first few days after birth. It was found that in 

 most cases the curl retained its original closeness until the third day, and that 

 in about one-half the skins it had begun to open on the fifth day, while on the 

 ninth day it had opened considerably. The luster improved in most cases up to 

 the fifth day, the change being most marked in skins having a poor luster at 

 birth. 



Lamb-breeding tests, H. C. Wilson and A. J. Whelan {Jour. Dept. Agr. 

 Victoria, 1/f {1D16), No. 3, pp. 129-137, figs. 7). — This reports a series of experi- 

 ments conducted at the State Research Farm, Werribee, to determine the most 

 profitable type of lamb to raise for export purposes and local trade. 



First cross Lincoln INIerino ewes of uniform quality were selected, and these 

 were mated with representative rams of different breeds. The average hunbing 

 percentages for three years were Lincoln 92.3, Border Leicester 87.16. Dorset 

 Horn 90.3, Shropshire 84, and Southdown 89.5, with English Leicester 91 as 

 an average for two years. 



At seventeen weeks the wether lambs of each of these crosses were weaned 

 and sold in the market. The ewe lambs from each cross were retained for 

 three weeks after the sale of the wethers and shorn, and the fleeces were classed 

 and valued. 

 The data for the three years are given in detail. 



A peculiar breed of goats, J. J. Hooper (Science, n. ser., 43 {1916), No. 1112, 

 p. 57/).— An accoxmt of a breed of goats raised in central and eastern Tennos.see. 

 It is stated that when suddenly frightened the hind legs become stiff and the 

 animal jumps along until it recovers and trots off normally, or if greatly 

 friglitened the front legs become stiff also and the goat falls to the ground in a 

 rigid condition. They have received the name of " stiff-legged " or " sensitive " 

 goats. 



