672 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



description of the digestion of the horse in which the authors summarize the 

 results of their investigations along this line. They discuss such phases as the 

 period of digestion in the normally fed horse, the processes of starch and protein 

 digestion, the lapse of time intervening betvv^een feeding periods and the diges- 

 tive processes in operation at this time, and the effect of drinking vcater upon 

 the digestive processes and upon the composition of the food v^ithin the stomach. 

 The course of the food and water is outlined and the complete mechanical 

 process of digestion explained. 



The profitable breeding- of horses, J. L. Shannon (West Indian Bui., IS 

 (WIS), No. 3, pp. 287-291, fig. 1).—The author comments on the origin of the 

 American carriage horse from saddle horse and standard bred stock and on 

 government encouragement in the extension of this breed. He argues for the 

 introduction of this type of horse into the West Indies and of improved horse- 

 breeding methods looking toward the American carriage horse as the de- 

 sirable type. 



[Report on poultry], W. A. Graham (Ann. Rpt. Ontario Agr. Col. and Expt. 

 Farm, 3S (1912), pp. J06-i09).— Experimental feeding of Buff Orpington, Rhode 

 Island Red, and White Leghorn hens on different rations, viz, buttermilk, 10 

 per cent dry mash beef scrap, beef scrap in the hopper, no animal feed, and 

 green cut bone indicated that " with all 3 breeds buttermilk produced the most 

 and the cheapest eggs. Where beef scrap was fed in a hopper or where the 

 birds could eat all they desired the Leghorns and Rhode Island Reds did much 

 better than the Orpingtons. No animal feed in all instances gave the best eggs 

 for hatching and the lowest egg yield." Leghorns developed a feather-eating 

 habit when fed on a no meat feed ration. 



Ten years' egg-laying tests, A. A. Dunnicliff, Jr. (Dept. Agr. N. S. Wales, 

 Farmers' Bui. 66, pp. 06, pis. 9, figs. 19). — This is a complete summary of 10 

 years' egg-laying tests as to the laying capacity and breed improvement of a 

 total of 4,00S hens, including all breeds. 



As regards the relation between weather conditions and egg production it is 

 concluded " that there is nothing to connect variations in egg production with 

 abnormal heat or cold. The average output of eggs has right through been con- 

 sistent with the seasonal changes from month to month. Excessive rainfall, 

 however, either in cold or hot weather, has almost invariably resulted in de- 

 creased laying for the time being; ?nd it is plain that wet weather is the great- 

 est factor in fluctuations in production." 



A complete summary is given of the average laying capacity per hen of each 

 breed tested, the average weight per dozen eggs, the average value and profit, 

 and the relative ranks of the breeds. The breeds wholly or partially of Asiatic 

 origin were found to be superior to the Mediterranean breeds in autumn-winter 

 laying capacity. 



The general result of the dry-mash feeding test was altogether in favor of 

 the morning wet-mash system of feeding. In meat versus non-meat feeding ex- 

 periments It is concluded that the addition of the amount of meat given had 

 practically no influence on the number of eggs produced. On test comparing the 

 egg-laying capacity of the various breeds of ducks, the Indian Runner breed 

 proved superior. 



Egg-laying competitions, 1912-13, D. F. Laurie (Dept. Agr. So. Anst., 

 Egg-Laying Competitions 1912-13, pp. 35). — A report of egg-laying competitions 

 for this and previous years with results corroborating competitions previously 

 reported (E. S. R., 29, p. 275). 



Fur farming for profit, H. B. Laymon (Spencer. Ind., 1913, pp. 78. figs. IS). — 

 A booklet dealing with the care and management of the skunk for fur purposes, 

 with information on skinning, shipping, etc. 



