ANIMAL PRODUCllON. 675 



and P. E. Lander (Proc. Roy. 8oc. [London^, Ser. B, 87 {1914), No. B 594, PP- 

 229-2S6). — This is a continuation of studies previously noted (E. S. R., 28, p. 

 402). Three diets were fed to different lots of d;iy-old chicks, and analyses 

 made at the end of 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks for cholesterol content of the chicks. 



With chicks fed on an ordinary diet " the total cholesterol decreases by 

 about 15 per cent during the first week, and then increases again during the 

 second week to within about per cent of the value in the day-old chick. , . . 



" In the case of animals fed on the extracted diet, there is a decrease in the 

 total cholesterol during the 2 weeks, but the decrease during the first week is 

 nearly double that in the second. ... In the case of the animals fed on ex- 

 tracted food plus cholesterol, the total cholesterol increases during the two 

 weeks, more markedly in the second than in the first. . . . The cholesterol 

 content of the chickens thus appears to depend on the cholesterol content of the 

 diets, but there is nothing in the figures of the first 2 weeks to indicate that 

 in the growing animal the organism can synthesize cholesterol." 



Fatty acids of hen's eggs, V. H. Mottram (Jour. Physiol., 47 (1913), No. 

 4-5, pp. XVIIl, XIX). — In tests involving the analysis of over 50 eggs, the 

 following observations were made: 



" The mean iodin value of the fatty acids from eggs is fairly constant no mat- 

 ter what the locality and breed. This is true even if the eggs have been al- 

 lowed to age somewhat. . . . Nevertheless, in any one breed and locality, 

 there is considerable variation from the mean. . , . Hens, even from the same 

 stock, fed on the same diet have individual peculiarities. One will deposit high 

 iodin value fatty acids, another low. . . . There is a remarkable constancy in 

 the iodin value of any one hen. . . . Infertile eggs of \^^dely differing iodin 

 values approximate in iodin values on incubation. ... A similar observation 

 has been made on incubated fertile eggs. As a whole incubation affects the iodin 

 values but little. There is, however, evidence in the case of a hen laying low 

 iodin value eggs of a rise in iodin value during the first week of incubation." 



Egg- records for the year 1912-13 (Dept. Agr. and Tech. Instr. Ireland 

 Jour., 14 (1913), No. 1, pp. 86-iOi).— Egg-laying records for 156 flocks including 

 4,859 birds are reported. The five highest breeds in laying capacity were: 

 Minorcas, Rhode Island Reds, Brown Leghorns, Black Leghorns, and White 

 Leghorns. The average number of eggs per flock laid for the year by all breeds 

 was 112.5 per hen ; the highest number laid 232.9, the lowest 50.1. 



Chinese egg products, C. E, Gauss (Daily Cons, and Trade Rpts. [U. 8.], 

 17 (1914), No. 3, pp. 46, 47).— It is reported that the United States takes about 

 10 per cent of China's e.i^g products, both hen and duck eggs being used. The 

 eggs are broken and the albumin separated from the yolk. The albumin is 

 beaten, strained, and finally dried at a temperature of 130°. The egg yolk is 

 well beaten, placed in cement tanks for 3 days, 2 per cent boric acid added, put 

 in casks ready for export, and shipped in liquid form. • 



The British standard of perfection for Indian Bunner ducks (191S, Amer. 

 Ed., pp. 8). — A description of the general breed characteristics and detailed 

 points desired in the Indian Runner breed of ducks. 



Carp breeding in rice fields in Italy, F. Supino (Internat. Inst. Agr. 

 [Rome'\, Mo. Bui. Affr. Intel, and Plant Diseases, 4 (1913), No. 9, pp. 1332- 

 1335). — Success is reported in Italian experiments in carp breeding in rice 

 fields. 



The fry are first raised in a spawning pond, and from 800 to 1,000 per acre 

 put into the rice field according to conditions. When turned into the field the 

 fry weigh 1 oz. per thousand ; after 3 months fish weighing 3i to 7 oz. can be 

 found. The presence of carp in the field in no way hinders the usual cultivation 



