372 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



prietary stock feeds. The text of the Ahibama commercial feeding stuffs law, 

 together with the feed definitions as adopted in 1911 and 1912, is included. 



Steer-feeding" experiments, W. H. Tom have and B. O. Seveeson {Pennsyl- 

 vania Sta. Bui. 124, PP- 23-39, figs. 4). — In these experiments 2 lots of 12 steers 

 each, weighing approximately 900 lbs., were fed during 140 days as follows: 

 The steers in lot 1 received all the corn silage they would consume during the 

 first 2 months of the feeding period, together with 3 lbs. cotton-seed meal per 

 1,000 lbs. live weight daily. At the end of 56 days they were fed in addition 

 to this combination all the ear corn they would consume, this being replaced by 

 shelled corn the last 2 months of feeding. Lot 2 received as roughage 20 lbs. 

 corn silage per day per head and all the mixed hay they would consume during 

 the first 56 days, together with 3 lbs. cotton-seed meal per 1,000 lbs. live weight 

 daily. During the remainder of the period they were fed shelled corn as in lot 1. 



The average daily gain per head for lot 1 was 1.944 lbs., for lot 2, 1,803 lbs. ; 

 the respective costs per pound of gain w^ere 8.31 and 9.46 cts. ; the profit per 

 steer, not Including pork, $14.10 and $11.22 ; the price received from a bushel of 

 corn after paying for other feeds $1.47 and $1.31. Hogs following lot 1 gained 

 611 lbs., in lot 2, 575 lbs., increasing the total returns per steer $2.23. 



It is concluded that the feeding of corn silage alone as a roughage is the more 

 satisfactory of the 2 methods of feeding, this experiment bearing out results of 

 previous tests. Because of the palatability of com silage the ad\^sability of 

 limiting the amount of silage in the ration in order to insure the greatest gain 

 in flesh during the finishing period w^as demonstrated. 



Comparative experiments in fattening sheep of the middle valley of the 

 Tiber and the cross-bred Merino-Rambouillet; with some observations on 

 the organic changes, G. Tassinari (Staz. Sper. Agr. Ital., 46 (1913), No. 1, pp. 

 57-78). — In these digestion experiments the cross-bred sheep gave somewhat 

 better results, taking on more fat and assimilating a greater portion of the feed 

 allowance. 



The management of sheep on the farm, E. L. Shaw and L. L. Helleb ( U. 8. 

 Dept. Agr. Bui. 20, pp. 52, pis. 4, figs. 15). — This is a popular treatise on the 

 value of sheep on the farm ; the selection of stock ; the feed, care, and manage- 

 ment of sheep; caring for lambs; tagging, dipping, castrating, and docking. 

 Plans for construction of feed racks are given. Shearing and care of wool, 

 slaughtering, and the care of meat are discussed. 



[Report of] sheep and wool expert, J. W. Mathews {Rpt. Dept. Agr. N. 8. 

 Wales, 1912, pp. 55-59). — This report first emphasizes the importance of the 

 future development of the Merino to New South Wales. It is shown that many 

 of the flocks have attained their present standard of perfection only after life- 

 long work on the part of the breeders, and that closer settlement must neces- 

 sarily result in the breaking up of many of these old established flocks. In 

 view of this fact it is urged that the government take measures for the preser- 

 vation of the Merino, and that a great state station be established which will 

 supply New South Wales, Australia, and ultimately the world, with the purest 

 and finest types of Merino that the country can produce. 



In cross-breeding experiments the heaviest body weights were obtained from 

 the Dorset Horn-Merino, Lincoln-Merino, and Border Leicester-Merino crosses 

 in the order named, the Down breeds proving unsatisfactory. The heaviest 

 fleeces were obtained from the Lincoln-Merino, Border Leicester-Merino, and 

 Leicester-Merino crosses. Data are given showing the aggregate value of each 

 type of cross-bred sheep, live and dressed weights, and weights of fleece for 

 both local and foreign trade. 



Australasian wool clip {Daily Cons, and Trade Rpts. [U. S.], 16 {1913), No. 

 264, p. 759).— The Australasian wool clip production for the current 12 months 



