ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 



673 



tributiou of this breed. Milk yields, body weights, and measurements are given. 

 A bibliography is appended. 



Contributions to the knowledge of Shorthorn cattle, M. Schlaak {Bcitrdge 

 sur Kenntnis des Shorthornrindes. luaiig. Diss., Univ. Bern, 1910, pp. J/S). — 

 The history, characteristics, and geographical distribution of Shorthorns are 

 discussed, with special reference to Shorthorn breeding in northwestern Ger- 

 many. 



Growing- feeder steers in western Nebraska, W. P. Snyder {Nebraska Sta. 

 Bui. 117, pp. 5-5//, figs. 6). — This is a repetition of an experiment previously 

 noted (E. S. R., 19, p. 1168). A continuous record is given of a mixed lot of 108 

 good grade steers from December 3, 1907, to August 5, 1910, which were kept in 

 a common pasture in summer and fed different rations in the winter. The feeds 

 tested were alfalfa, prairie hay, and cane hay. The following table contains a 

 summary of the results obtained : 



Summary of average gains made hy steers kept in a common pasture in summer 

 and fed different forage rations in imnter. 



Gains and cost data per steer. 



Kind of forage ration. 



Prairie 

 hav. 



Cane. 



Alfalfa 

 and prai- 

 rie hay. 



Alfalfa 

 and cane. 



Prairie 



hay and 



cane. 



Average initial weight pounds. 



Average gain do... 



Average daily gain do... 



Total cost of steer when sold 



Value per head in Omaha 



446 

 769 



.78 

 S69. 82 

 S53. 46 



450 

 642 



.65 



85S. 89 

 If44.97 



452 



723 



.74 



S59. 99 



851.26 



451 



781 



.80 



ff69. 23 



856. 12 



451 



800 



.82 



869. 26 



856. 96 



449 

 715 

 .73 



860. 16 

 850. 76 



The price of the feeds was estimated as follows : Alfalfa $6, prairie hay $5, 

 and cane $4 per ton, and corn 50 cts. and oats 35 cts. per bushel. The following 

 quotations are taken from the summary : 



" The steers that went on grass in the spring thin in flesh increased in weight 

 faster during the summer than the steers that went on grass in good flesh. 

 Steers wintered on alfalfa or a ration one-half alfalfa make much faster gains 

 during the winter than those wintered on prairie hay or cane alone, but do not 

 make as fast gains the following summer. Steers wintered on a ration of 

 alfalfa or one-half alfalfa make a greater gain during the winter and the summei" 

 following combined than steers wintered on prairie hay or cane alone. Both 

 yearling and 2-year-old steers lost weight when fed cane or a ration one-half 

 cane and one-half prairie hay. Steers fed alfalfa or a ration one-half alfalfa 

 gained in weight during each winter. 



" The value of cattle should be approximately $1 per 100 lbs. more in the spring 

 than in the preceding fall in order that they may pay for their winter feed. . . . 

 The value of alfalfa in comparison with prairie hay or cane is higher when fed 

 to cattle that are to be sold in the spring than when fed to cattle that are to be 

 sold the fall following. With the prices used for feed and cattle in this bulletin 

 it is not profitable to produce steers for the feed lot." 



[Slaughter tests of cattalo and caracul sheep], C. D. Murphy (Farm and 

 Ranch, 30 {1911). No. 3, p. 7). — Tlie percentage of dressed to live weight for 

 3 cattaloes was 68.55, 65.39, and 60.78, respectively. The average dressed 

 weight for 6 bucks that were three-fourths caracul and one-fourth Shropshire 

 was 56.4 per cent. 



Sheep of the Constantine Sahara, A. Boquet {Bui. Off. Goiivt. G6n. Alg6rie, 

 1911, No. 1, Sup., pp. 74). — ^A description of the characteristics of the sheep 



