708 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



comjiositidii and feeding value of beet sugar by-products, and related topics are dis- 

 cussed, the article being a critical summary of investigations which have been 

 reported on these topics. The references to the pul)lications cited are given in every 

 case and constitute an extended liildiography of the subject. 



Groundnuts in the West Indies [Lap. Depi. Agr. Hex/ Iiidici^, I'amjihirt 25, 

 190,1, jij). JG). — A summary of information regarding the cultivation of peanuts, the 

 composition and feeding value of peanut cake and meal, the possible uses of peanuts 

 as food, I'tc. 



Some results in steer feeding-, D. W. May {Kentucky Sta. Bui. lOS, jip. 101-116, 

 pU. 7). — After a sliort preliminary period, a test was begun November 2.") with 8 lots 

 of 4 steers each to learn the relative value of a number of concentrated feeds largely 

 used by Kentucky feeders. Part of the steers were grade Shorthorns and the others 

 grade Angus. All were allowed the run of a closely cropped blue-grass pasture and 

 at all times had free access to good clover hay. Lot 1 was fed ear corn, lots 2 and 8 

 corn-and-col) meal, lot 3 corn-and-cob meal and cotton-seed meal 3:1, lot 4 corn-and- 

 cob meal, cotton-seed meal and bran 2:1:1, lot 5 corn-and-cob meal and gluten meal 

 3:1, and lots 6 and 7 corn-and-cob meal and dried distillers' grains in the proportion 

 of 2:1 with the former lot and 1:1 with tlie latter. 



At the beginning of the trial 16 to 18 lbs. of grain were fed per head per day, but 

 as the test progressed the amount was increased and the proportion of ingredients in 

 the grain mixtures was changed somewhat. The gains ranged from 1.66 lbs. per 

 head per day in the case of lot 1 (ear corn) and lot 8 (corn-and-cob meal) to 2.23 lbs. 

 with lot 7 (corn-and-cob meal and distillers' grains). With this latter lot less grain 

 was required per pound of gain, and the gains were most economically made, the 

 values being 8.82 lbs. and 8.9 cts., respectively. The largest amount of grain, 12.96 

 lbs., was required per pound of gain with lot 8 (corn-and-cob meal) , and in this case 

 also the gain was most expensive, costing 13.3 cts. per pound. 



The steers were sold and slaughtered, the dressed weiglit being in every case not 

 far from 61 per cent of the live weight. According to theautlior's calculations, rank- 

 ing ear corn and corn-and-cob meal at the same price, the additional gains made on 

 the ground grain were not profitable. 



"With clover hay fed with corn there is less need for a nitrogenous grain feed than 

 wdien corn stover, straw or other roughage richer in carbohydrates is fed. In this 

 experiment, while less grain was required per pound of gain where nitrogenous by- 

 products were fed, yet in some instances owing to the high cost of the by-products 

 the gains cost more." 



Dried distillers' grains with corn the author considers to be, under the experi- 

 mental conditions, the most economical of the grain rations tested. "It j^roved not 

 only the cheapest feed, but it took less grain jjer pound of gain when it entered 

 largely into the ration. It seems probable that this by-product could be made much 

 more i)rofitable by drying and feeding as in this experiment, rather than by feeding 

 directly from the still as slop." 



As regards the effect of breed on gains made, tlie author states that, disregarding 

 the 4 poorest animals, the Shorthorn grades required 10.88 lbs. of grain per pound of 

 gain, and the Angus grades 11.85 lbs. " Experiments will not determine the supe- 

 riority of one breed over another. Tliey may indicate the differences between cer- 

 tain bunches of cattle, but the value of a breed of beef cattle will be established by 

 the wisdom and the care of the improvers of that breed. . . . 



" Whether type influences the rate of gain in beef cattle is a doubtful point that 

 will take much experimenting to determine. ... It seems probable that inheritance 

 plays a more important part in the ability of an animal to lay on fat, as is often 

 observed with mankind, and this factor of inheritance is one of the points considered 

 in building up our beef breeds. As long as the l)utcher will pay more for the better 

 type of cattle it wdl continue to be more profitable, laying aside other considerations, 

 to grow that kind." 



