ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 869 



" The action of the thyroid secretion on protein metabolism is effected partly 

 through its action on carbohydrate metabolism, for the distribution of the 

 nitrogenous constituents of the urine after thyroid feeding is very similar to 

 that observed after withdrawal of carbohydrates from the diet or in dis- 

 turbances of carbohydrate metabolism." 



The influence of protracted and intermittent fasting upon growth, S. 

 MoBGULis (Amer. Nat., Jft (1913), No. 560, pp. ^77-^87).— From experiments 

 with laboratory animals, the results of which are presented and discussed, the 

 author concludes " that periodic starvation is more detrimental to the organism 

 than acute starvation followed by a liberal supply of food." 



A respiration apparatus with an automatic device for oxygen determina- 

 tion for use with small animals, L. S. Fridericia (Biochem. Ztschr., 54 (1913), 

 No. 1-2, pp. 92-107, figs. 3). — A description is given of the apparatus which is 

 essentially a combination of the Haldane respiration apparatus and the Reg- 

 nault-Reiset apparatus, in which the oxygen consumption is measured both 

 directly and indirectly. 



In a series of control experiments, the length of which varied from 2A to 24 

 hours, an accuracy of not less than 99.5 per cent is claimed for the apparatus 

 when the experimental periods were longer than 3i hours. 



ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 



The making and feeding of silage, T. E. Woodward et al (U. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Farmers' Bui. 556, pp. 24, ft&s. 6). — This publication discusses the general 

 advantages of silage ; silage crops, especially corn and sorghum ; harvesting the 

 crop and filling the silo ; total cost of silage ; losses of feed material in the silo ; 

 feeding value of silage; and silage rations for dairy stock, horses, beef cattle, 

 and sheep. 



A notorious Indian fodder grass, R. S. Hole (Indian Forester, 39 (1913), 

 No. 6, pp. 259-263, pi. 1). — An account of the feeding value of Johnson grass 

 (Andropogon halepensis) , which is a common grass of India. It is pointed out 

 that at times the grass contains prussic acid and is then poisonous to cattle. 

 Aside from this danger it is regarded as an excellent fodder grass for cattle. 



Peanut oil cake, Le Conte et al. (Bui. Soc. Nat. Agr. France, 73 (1913), 

 No. 5, pp. 372-384)- — A discussion of the feeding value of peanut cake, in which 

 favorable results are claimed for this feed especially for dairy cows, but de- 

 pending upon the method of manufacture and freedom from impurities. Pois- 

 onous properties are sometimes ascribed to this cake, probably due to the pres- 

 ence of castor beans. 



On the pressed cake of Perilla seed, G. Bbedemann (Landw. Vers. Stat., 78 

 (1912), No. 5-6, pp. 349-365, pis. 2, fig. i).— This is mainly a botanical descrip- 

 tion of Perilla ocirnoides and other varieties of the Perilla plant, with comments 

 on the use of the pressed seed for feeding purposes. 



[Commercial stock feeds], W. A. McRae (Bien. Rpt. Dept. Agr. Fla., 12 

 (1911-12), pp. 131-134, 146-158) .— This report outlines in brief the laws and 

 regulations relating to the sale of commercial stock feeds in Florida. 



Phosphoric acid, calcium phosphate, and other phosphorus compounds in 

 animal nutrition, Girard (Rev. Vet. [Toulouse^, 38 (1913), Nos. 8, pp. 461- 

 467; 9, pp. 525-541)- — This is a discussion of the importance of phosphoric acid 

 and of phosphates, especially calcium phosphate, in living organisms; the con- 

 stant elimination of phosphorus from animals ; the necessity of supplying phos- 

 phorus compounds in the feeding stuffs sufficient to cover these losses and to 

 satisfy the needs of the organism for growth ; and the progressive impoverish- 

 ment of the usual home-grown feeds in phosphoric acid in available form. 



