774 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.35 



In the case of the White Wyandottes the pen from which the highest number 

 of eggs was obtained stood lowest but two in the percentage of first-grade eggs, 

 the poorest of all in that respect standing third on the list as to number of eggs 

 laid, while that which was lowest as regards the number of eggs was nearly the 

 lowest also in point of first-grade eggs. On the other hand, the pen second in 

 total number of eggs was also second in respect to size of egg. At the same 

 time, with some exceptions, the figures in respect to size of egg favor the 

 pullets, which were medium in fecundity. The mean of the breed in both direc- 

 tions to secure good marketable size, though the average is a low one, is from 

 800 to 900 eggs per six birds per annum. 



With the Leghorns there was nothing to indicate that high fecundity is 

 responsible for any diminution of the size of egg. The pen of Leghorns that 

 was third in that breed was first in first-grade eggs (96.25 per cent), while the 

 pen which was second in respect to first-grade eggs (95.56 per cent) was last 

 save one in the total number of eggs laid. 



It is stated that Leghorns are naturally more prolific than Wyandottes, and 

 it may be expected, therefore, that forcing production will have a greater physi- 

 cal influence upon the latter, especially as the eggs are smaller than those of 

 the former. 



The ostrich-feather industry in South Africa, R. W. Thornton (So. 

 African Jour. Sci., 12 (1916), No. 7, pp. 272-279) .—This article treats of the 

 varieties of ostriches in Africa, their distribution, domestication, incubation, 

 feeding, care, and management, clipping and quilling, and the marketing of 

 feathers. 



The breeding of " whitefish " (Coregonus spp.) in Switzerland, G. Sukbeck 

 (Schweiz. Fisch. Ztg., 23 (1915), No. 11, pp. 296-305; obs. in Internat. Inst. Agr. 

 IRomel, Mo. Bui. Agr. Intel, and Plant Diseases, 7 (1916), No. 1, pp. 112-114)- — 

 Artificial hatching and stocking of the lake herring or whitefish has met with 

 success in Switzerland and is being encouraged. It is estimated that the weight 

 of whitefish annually caught in the Swiss lakes is about 2,640,000 lbs. This 

 represents a value of from $400,000 to $500,000, while the total gi'oss returns 

 from all species of fish from Swiss waters is estimated at somewhat over 

 $1,500,000. 



DAIRY FARMING— DAIRYING. 



The influence of the plane of nutrition of the cow upon the composition 

 and properties of milk and butter fat: Influence of overfeeding, C. H. 

 EcKLES and L. S. Paxmeb (Missouri Sta. Research Bui. 24 (1916), pp. 3-39, 

 figg_ ^). — The investigations reported in this bulletin included four experimental 

 periods and dealt with the influence of a supernormal plane of nutrition of 

 cows upon the composition and properties of milk and milk fat. The cows used 

 were a pure-bred milking Shorthorn in her fourth lactation period, a pure-bred 

 Ayrshire in her fourth lactation period, and a pure-bred Jersey in her second 

 and again in her third lactation periods. In the experiments the plane of 

 nutrition varied from normal to plus 104 per cent. The grain and hay part 

 of the rations, which was of the same character in all experiments, consisted 

 of choice alfalfa hay and a mixture of corn chop, wheat bran, and linseed 

 meal (4:2:1). The proportion of grain to hay varied in the different tests. 

 In some cases the hay was supplemented by corn silage or by green alfalfa. 



The experiments covered cases where a normal plane of nutrition prevailed 

 previous to overfeeding and where the overfeeding was preceded by a subnormal 

 plane of nutrition. It was found in both these cases that the most pronounced 



