474 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.35 



metabolism of protein, fat, and carbohydrate in both diabetic and nondiabetic 

 states. 



Chemical means of protection against the cold, A. Montuoei and R. Pol- 

 LiTZEE (Atti R. Accad. Lincei, Rend. CI. Sci. Fis., Mat. e Nat., 5. ser., 24 (1915), 

 II, No. 11, pp. 543-54-8). — The results of experiments with laboratory animals 

 (dogs and guinea pigs) are reported, from which the authors conclude, in 

 part, that the ingestion of alcohol or of tea does not appreciably protect the 

 body from external cold. An infusion of coffee with the addition of a small 

 amount of alcohol causes the body to react favorably (probably along the 

 control nervous system). 



ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 



Studies on the nutritive value of straw materials, R. von de:b Heide, M. 

 Stexjber, and N. Zuntz {Biochem. Ztschr., 73 (1916), No. 1-2, pp. 161-192).— 

 In these studies it was found that the crude fiber of straw is almost entirely 

 digestible by horses, and that 1 kg. of straw material (with 20 per cent of 

 molasses) so far as energy is concerned is of as much value as 2.55 kg. of 

 hay or 0.92 kg. of oats. In straw feeding it was found feasible to feed 1 part 

 of digestible protein to 14 parts of nitrogen-free material. 



Chemical determination of the value of straw meal as feed material, W. 

 Keep, F. Scheoder, and B. Pfyl (Arb. K. Qsndhtsamt., 50 (1915), No. 2, pp. 

 232-262, pis. 6). — An account of the composition, chemical characteristics, and 

 nutritive value of oat, wheat, rye, and barley straw meals. It is concluded 

 that for ruminants straw meal serves a useful purpose, but that for other 

 animals, such as swine, it has little value. As a food for man, in the form 

 of bread, straw meal is of value. 



Feeding experiments with disintegrated rye straw, A. Sttjtzeb (Landw. 

 Vers. Stat., 87 (1915), No. 2-3, pp. 228-236).— In feeding experiments with sheep 

 it was found that the digestibility of disintegrated rye straw was materially 

 increased by dampening the material with dilute acetic acid. The dampened 

 straw had a light brown color and an agreeable odor. 



On the digestibility of pine needles, A. Stutzee and W. Haxjpt (Landw. 

 Jahrb., 48 (1915), No. 4, pp. 571-585). — Experiments were conducted in feeding 

 fresh and old pine needles to sheep. 



It was found that fresh needles from the tree were unsuitable for feeding 

 purposes, and after they were pulverized they were taken only unwillingly by 

 the sheep. When fed in conjunction with potato meal and hay the organic 

 matter of the needles was found to be 24 per cent digestible. After extraction 

 by alcohol the digestibility coefficient of the organic matter was 35 per cent. 

 The increase in digestibility after extraction by alcohol was especially notice- 

 able in the crude fiber and nitrogen-free extract. The protein of the needles 

 was partially digestible but decreased the digestibility of the proteins of the 

 other feeds, as in experiments where turf straw was added. The depression 

 of digestibility was 14 per cent, and after alcohol extraction 5 per cent. 



The composition of fresh needles is given as follows : Organic matter 97.83, 

 nitrogen 1.498, fat 2.49, nitrogen-free extract 38.76, fiber 47.22, and ash 2.17, 

 and for the old needles 91.05, 0.85, 0.15, 40.81, 44.78, and 8.95, respectively. 



Experiments with sphagnum turf as a feeding stuff, A. Stutzeb (Landw. 

 Vers. Stat., 87 (1915), No. 2-3, pp. 215-227).— In feeding experiments with 

 sheep the author found that the dampening and disintegi'ating of sphagnum 

 turf with dilute hydrochloric acid, which was later neutralized with sodium 

 carbonate, materially increased the digestibility. 



