BIKNNIAf. RKPilRT, I9'27 AND 1928 329 



sugar and protein, but also in ash, alkalinity of ash and total sulfur. Both 

 the calcium and the magnesium contents were equal in the two kinds of 

 onion. 



The relation of calcium to magnesium was found to stand in a ratio of 

 one to one. A field study of the effect of the ratio of calcium to magne- 

 sium upon the growth of the onion would seem justified. 



In the process of canning onions, discoloration or darkening of the 

 tissues has been observed. In order to make the canned product more 

 attractive and consequently salable, the causes and preventives must be 

 understood and controlled. 



Although the principal oily substance contained in the onion has been 

 stated to be a disulfide of allyl, work thus far has indicated that mustard 

 oil is present in addition to the sulfides of allyl, in spite of the fact that 

 the literature, with one exception, fails to recognize mustard oil as a 

 constituent of the onion. 



Anthocyan pigments of fruits have been found to react with metal of 

 containers, producing various color reactions with consequent discoloration 

 of the canned product. 



The onion contains a flavonal pigment. Work upon this pigment as well 

 as upon the essential oils and their effect upon metals is being continued. 



Lime Penetration Resulting from Surface Application to Pasture Land. 

 (P. R. Xelson). This project has been completed and prepared for publica- 

 tion. It represented a study of a Gloucester sandy loam in permanent ptis- 

 ture, different plots on which had received different fertilizer treatment. It 

 was found that the greater part of the calcium had remained at the point 

 of application and exerted its influence there. There was a slight trend 

 towards a gradual penetration to a depth of nine inches. Of the three 

 materials applied in addition to the ground limestone, — muriate of potash, 

 acid phosphate and gypsum — the only one appearing to have the slightest 

 neutralizing effect upon the soil was gjpsum, and its effect was quite 

 distinct from that caused by the lime alone. 



Record of the Station Herd. (J. B. Lindsey and J. G. Archibald). The 

 .station keeps 12 to 16 cows for its experimental work, in addition to young- 

 stock. The records for 1927 show that of the 16 cows in the herd 9 

 only represented the herd for the entire year. These 9 — of which 7 were 

 grade Holsteins, one a high grade Jersey, one a purebred Jersey — averaged 

 10,294. lbs. of milk for the year testing 12.67% solids, 4% fat, with a food 

 cost of $176.09 jier cow or 3.76 cents per quart. The food cost was 

 based on hay at $20, green feed at $8 a ton and grain at market price. 

 Tiie complete records for 192S are not yet available. 



Milk Substitutes in the Growing of Young Calves. (J. B. Lindsey and 

 J. G. Archibald). For several years the experiment station at Amherst 

 has carried on extensive feeding trials on the value of different feeds for 

 raising young calves. Experiments with calf meals and preliminary trials 

 with skim milk powder were reported in Bulletin No. 223. The powdered 

 skim milk offered the most fruitful field for further study and during the 

 past three years, a large number of calves, mostly high-grade Holsteins, 

 have been raised on it. 



There are two distinct types of skim milk powder on the market, one 

 m.anufactured by the so-called "roller" process, the other by the "spray" 

 process. Both kinds have been fed at the rate of 14 ounces of the powder 

 to a gallon of water. The powder may, however, be fed as dilute as one 

 pound to five quarts of water. The "roller" process powder is more 

 economical at present prices and mixes with water more rapidly. 



