FOODS— ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 275 



On the basis of these analyses the feeding value of sorghum is dis- 

 cussed and compared with other crops. 



"The feeding value of sorghum is greatest when the plant is young. As the plant 

 matures, the feeding value decreases rapidly. Therefore the crop should be used, 

 for pasture, at least, before the seeds form, and for hay at as early a stage as it can Vje 

 well cured. Analyses of sorghum when young and of other pasture plants at the 

 same stages of growth show that it is somewhat deficient in flesh-forming material, 

 containing less than blue grass or Bromus inermis, about the same as timothy, and a 

 little more than Indian corn. Analyses of sorghum fodder, in comparison with other 

 fodders and hay crops, show it to have a somewhat smaller amount of flesh-forming 

 material than most hay crops, and less than corn fodder, but more than straw of the 

 small grains. The fondness which live stock evince for this fodder is doubtless due 

 to its sweetness." 



The digestibility of American feeding stuffs, W. H. Jordan and 



F. H. Hall ( U. S. Dept. Agr. , Ojfice of Experiment Stations Bui. 77, 

 pp). 100). — The value of digestion experiments with farm animals is 

 discussed, as well as the methods generally followed and the extent 

 of work of this nature at the experiment stations in the United States. 

 The results of all such experiments with different farm animals, made 

 up to the close of 1898 (378 in number), are summarized in tabular 

 form. The material is also arranged to show the maximum, minimum, 

 and average coefficients of digestibilit}^ of the principal feeding- 

 stuffs. The effect of individual peculiarity and the kind of animal 

 upon digestibility is discussed, as well as the influence of the stage of 

 growth of the feeding stuff, cooking, drying and curing, ensiling, 

 grinding, wetting, quantity fed, and proportion of nutrients. This 

 bulletin is designed to take the place of a compilation of a similar 

 nature published several years ago (E. S. R., 6, p. 5). 



Feeding young cattle, H. H. Griffin {Colorado Sta. Rpt. 1899, 

 2)p. o(J, o7). — A feeding test was made at the Arkansas Valley Sub- 

 station with 15 calves 7 to 10, months old. The average weight 

 November 18 was 31:2.6 lbs. each. They were fed on alfalfa hay until 

 December 1, and were then given a pound of corn chop per head 

 daily. This amount was gradually increased until in 2 weeks they 

 were fed 3 lbs. per head daily. A few sugar beets were then added 

 to the ration. January 1 the calves were divided into 3 lots of 5 each 

 and fed corn chop with sugar beets or oats, alfalfa hay being- given 

 ad libitum. On an average the calves were fed 178 days. At the 

 conclusion of the test they were sold for $1.60 per hundred, deducting 

 3 per cent for shrinkage. The financial returns are based on alfalfa 

 hay and sugar beets at $3 per ton, chop at 80 cts., corn at 70 cts., and 

 oats at $1 per hundredweight. The average daily gain, less shrink- 

 age, was 1.19 lbs., and the cost of a pound of gain 3i cts. In the 

 author's opinion this test for the production of "baby beef" was 

 successful. 



The production and marketing of wool, H. W. Muiniford [Michi- 

 gan Sta. Bid. 178, pp>. 59-90, Jigs. 8). — The production of wool in 



