268 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



average composition of different classes of foods, beverages, and mineral waters; 

 also tables of ash content, digestibility, dietary standards, and other material 

 of interest to the student of nutrition. 



Free-hand cooking on scientific principles {Bui. Ainer. School Home Econ., 

 Ser. 1, 1910, No. 18, pp. 36, figs. ^). — Information regarding such matters as 

 weights and measures used in cookery and time required for cooking foods is 

 summarized in tabular form and basal recipes are given. 



Micro-organisms and digestion, Metchnikoff et al. (Ann. Inst. Pasteur, 

 23 (1909), No. 12, pp. 931-9J,1; abs. in Hyg. Rundschau, 20 {1910), No. 21, pp. 

 1198-1200) . — Experiments are reported on the possibility of digestion without 

 the aid of bacteria, the bat being selected on account of its short intestine. It 

 was found that digestion may be accomplished without the action of micro- 

 organisms, and the general conclusion was accordingly drawn that animal life 

 is possible without bacterial aid. 



Progress report of investigations in human nutrition in the United States, 

 1905-1909, C. F. Langworthy {U. S. Dept. Agr., Office Expt. Stas. Rpt, 1909, 

 pp. 361-397). — A summary and digest of data classified under a number of topics 

 such as studies of food and food products, cooking and its relation to nutritive 

 value, dietary studies, and experiments with the respiration calorimeter and 

 other technical studies. An earlier summary has been previously noted (E. S. R., 

 18, p. 459). 



ANIMAL PKODUCTIOIL 



Effect of Porto Rico molasses on digestibility of hay and of hay and con- 

 centrates, J. B. LiNDSEY and P. H. Smith {Massachusetts Sta. Rpt. 1909, pt. 1, 

 pp. 82-131). — A study of the effect on digestibility of a ration when molasses 

 is fed in excess, in continuation of previous work (E. S. R., 19. p. 264). 



On a ration of hay and molasses, when the cane molasses constituted from 10 

 to 13 per cent of the dry matter of the total ration, it was without pronounced 

 effect on the digestibility of the hay. In the case of one trial with 1 sheep there 

 was a very marked depression, but in the other 5 single trials with different 

 sheep the influence was slight, or contradictory. When molasses composed 20 

 per cent of a hay and molasses ration the depression was quite noticeable, 

 averaging in the case of 4 single trials with 4 different sheep 10.14 gm. of di- 

 gestible dry matter and 7.37 gm. of digestible organic matter for each 100 gm. 

 of molasses fed. 



Two experiments were conducted in each case with 2 sheep on a ration of 

 hay, corn meal, and molasses, using 100 and 200 gm. of the last. Unfortunately, 

 in each experiment one of the sheep suffered from indigestion and did not 

 complete the trial. When molasses constituted 11 per cent of the dry matter 

 of the ration the depression was 10.79 gm. of dry matter and 9.51 gm. of 

 organic matter per 100 gm. of molasses. When molasses constituted 20 per 

 cent of the ration the depression was 18 gm. of dry matter and 17 gm. of 

 organic matter per 100 gm. of molasses. 



On a ration of hay, gluten feed, and molasses the depression was higher 

 with small than with large amounts of molasses, the loss averaging substan- 

 tially 8 per cent. " Why molasses seemed to exert less depression on the hay 

 than on a ration composed of hay and a concentrate is difficult of explanation." 



Observations showed that there was no warrant for concluding that molasses 

 increased the peristaltic action of the intestines. Other reasons which have 

 been suggested as to the cause of depression are discussed. Analyses of feeds 

 and feces, digestion coefficients, amounts of water drank, methods of feeding, 

 weights of animals, and other data are given. Further investigations are con- 

 templated. 



