290 EXPERIMENT STATION liECOKD. 



The material required by tlic muscles for the performance of a definite piece of 

 work is very markedly diminished by training. However, training does not induce 

 a like saving when other sorts of work are performed. Any considerable training of 

 the muscular system increases metabolism while the subject is at rest in the same 

 way as does the consumption of an excessive amount of protein. The author notes 

 that in the case of man and horses the amount of nutritive material recjuired to raise 

 1 kgm. 1 meter in clindjing an incline is about the same as in the case of dogs, being 

 2.90 kgm. as compared with 2.91 kgm. 



Beef production in New England, J. W. Sanrorn (Mnsmchusetti^ State Bd. Agr. 

 Rpt. 19Ui^, pp. (U-84) . — The i^ossibilities for the development of the beef industry in 

 New PiUgland are pointed out and considerable data are summarized. The paper is 

 followed 1)y a discussion. 



Sheep, cattle, pigs, H. H. Chapman {Minnesota Sta. Bui. 81, pp. 239-244)- — In 

 this discussion of the feeding and management of sheep, cattle, and pigs under -local 

 conditions, the experience gained at the Northeast Exi^eriment Farm is especially 

 drawn upon. Attention is particularly directed to the value of sheep for clearing 

 brush from new land, and the fact is pointed out that although they will live entirely 

 upon brush they can not make satisfactory gains under such conditions. In the 

 experience of the station, sheep on brush alone become poor, lambs will not grow 

 well, and the ewes fall off in milk yield, yet they will destroy it more quickly than 

 when supplied with other feeds in addition. When it was desired to supplement 

 brush, the sheep have been hurdled on such crops as corn, oats, clover, timothy, 

 winter rye, and rape, grown in small fields in 5-year rotation. 



Lamb feeding, J. W. Wilson and H. G. Skinner {South Dakota Sta. Bui. 80, pp. 

 3-22, fig. i).^The relative value of some grains recently introduced, namely, spelt 

 and macaroni wheat, as compared with more stajjle grains, was studied with 9 lots 

 each containing at the beginning of the trial 9 laml)s weighing about 81 lbs. each 

 and all about 9 months old. The advantage of grinding grain was also taken into 

 account in the case of the spelt and the macaroni wheat, but as it was observed that 

 when finely ground they were not relished, these grains were only cracked during 

 the greater part of the trial. No attempt was made to feed a balanced ration, "but 

 the conditions in every respect were such as should be provided by the average 

 farmer." For the first 88 days of the trial all the lambs were fed prairie-grass hay 

 in addition to grain and Bwmus hiermis hay during the remainder of the test. All 

 the lots were kei)t in sheds with yards. 



On the different grain rations the average daily gain per head during the 109 days 

 of the trial were as follows: Corn 0.35 lb., wheat 0.37 lb., macaroni wheat 0.35 lb., 

 whole spelt 0.35 lb., ground spelt 0.31 lb., corn and bran 0.37 lb., whole macaroni 

 wheat and bran 0.34 lb., ground macaroni wheat and bran 0.31 lb., and whole spelt 

 and bran 0.34 lb. The amount of grain eaten per pound of gain ranged from 4.6 lbs. 

 with the lot fed corn to 6.8 lbs. with the lot fed whole spelt and bran; and the cost 

 of a pound of gain from 4. 1 cts. with the corn-fed lot to 6. 5 cts. with the lot fed 

 ground spelt. 



Toward the close of the trial the lambs were sheared, the fleece ranging from 59 

 lbs. with the lot fed ground macaroni wheat and bran to 69 lbs. with the lot fed 

 whole wheat. That shearing api^arently had an effect on the gains made is shown 

 by the fact that after shearing the average daily gain was 0.64 lb. per head as com- 

 pared with 0.28 lb. per head before shearing. The lambs were sold in Chicago and 

 were regarded as of superior quality. Some of the j^rincipal conclusions follow : 



The gain was most cheaply made on whole corn, but the most uniform gain was 

 made with whole wheat. Macaroni wheat and bread wheat proved of equal value as 

 regards the gains made, but gain was more cheaply made on the former when fed 

 whole than on the latter. Adding bran to the ration increased the cost of gain. 

 Grinding grain was not profitable as it decreased the palatability of the ration and 



