870 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



With reference to supplementmg the usual supply of phosphorus the author 

 comments on the origin and nature of phosphatic feeds, notes the assimilability 

 of organic phosphates, gives the phosphoric acid content of feeds rich in phos- 

 phorus, and reports a study of a utilization of mineral phosphates by animals. 

 It is stated that young animals and animals with diseases due to malnutrition 

 can best utilize mineral phosphates. The role of micro-organisms in the utiliza- 

 tion of mineral phosphates is also discussed. 



On the cost of meat production, D. Lan and P. C. Mendoza (Bol. Min. Agr. 

 [Buenos Aires], 15 (1913), No. 1, pp. 105-U6) .—This, is a statistical report of 

 live-stock conditions in Ageutina, showing the rapid development of the industry 

 and the increased importance of trade relations with the United States and 

 other countries. The cost of meat production in Argentina is estimated from 

 one source at approximately 8.5 cts. per pound, live weight. 



[Beef cattle in Arg'entina], E. CoTKfM {Bol. Min. Agr. [Buetios Aires], 15 

 (1913), Hfo. 1, pp. lJf7-163). — A further discussion of trade relations with the 

 United States and other countries, and giving statistics on meat exports. The 

 relation of American packing companies to the progress of the beef industry in 

 Argentina is discussed, showing wherein these companies are absorbing a large 

 portion of the trade and advocating more competing firms. 



Feeding experiments on the value of the digestible nutrients in roughages 

 and concentrated feeds, W. Schneidewind (Landw. Vers. Stat., 79-SQ (1913), 

 pp. 207-218) .—Six lots of 5 steers each were fed 133 days, 3 lots receiving a 

 heavy aUowance of roughage (straw and hay) and a light allowance of concen- 

 trates (corn meal, cotton-seed meal, and roots), and the 3 other lots receiving 

 a light roughage allowance and a heavy feed of concentrates. 



The former made an average daily gain per head of 0.85 kg., costing 0.936 

 mark per kilogram (about 10 cts. per pound), whereas the latter made 0.96 kg. 

 gain, at a cost of 1.136 mark. The lots receiving a highly concentrated feed 

 were appraised higher, showed a greater dressing percentage and a smaller 

 water content of flesh, and produced a profit of 44.07 marks per head more than 

 those fed the i-ation low in concentrates. 



Advantages from use of pure-bred ram, H. Hackedoen (Missouri Sta. Circ. 

 65, pp. 231-241, figs. 8). — Results of breeding experiments, in which 2 lots of 

 western ewes of 17 ewes each, one lot bred to an inferior ram, the other to a 

 superior pure-bred ram, are summarized as follows: 



Of the lambs sired by the inferior ram IS had made an average total gain 

 at 3 months of age of 41.54 lbs. as compared with 49.97 lbs. with 18 of the 

 lambs with superior breeding, and the latter were 9.39 lbs. heavier. The respec- 

 tive grain consumption per 100 lbs. gain was 67.66 and 52.81 lbs., and the 

 selling price 4.5 and 7.35 cts. The himbs of superior breeding were thicker 

 fleshed, smoother, broader in back, and lighter in pelt than those of inferior 

 breeding. 



Sheep for Washington farms, R. C. Ashby (Washington Sta. Popular Bui. 

 57, pp. 16).— A popular bulletin treating of the opportunities for sheep farming 

 in this State and the general methods of management involved. 



Lamb feeding and sheep husbandry in Idaho, W. L. Caklyle and E. J. 

 IDDINGS {Id.aho Sta. Bui. 77, pp. 3-37, figs. 11).— This bulletin deals with the 

 opportunities for sheep feeding in Idaho, discusses the selection of the farm 

 flock, the utility value of the various breeds, and approved methods of flock 

 management, and reports feeding experiments conducted during the seasons of 

 1910-11 and 1912-13 to determine the practicability of marketing alfalfa hay 

 by feeding it to lambs, and to ascertain the comparative value of home-grown 

 grains for fattening lambs. 



