241 



DUNLOP, W. R. The utilisation of Barley Straw in the Ma- 

 nufacture of Ensilage. The Journal of the Board of Agri- 

 culture., Vol. XVI, N. 4, 298-300. London, July 1909. 



It is a matter of common knowledge to feeders of stock that 

 barley straw is of much less use on the farm than either oat or 

 wheat straw. However, from the results of experiments reported, 

 it is considered probable that the digestibility of barley straw could 

 be greatly increased by fermentation with green stuff under pres- 

 sure: that is, instead of making ensilage from green-stuff alone, 

 barley straw might be added to the greenstuff and the mixture com- 

 pressed and allowed to ferment. Even on the small scale of the 

 experiments reported the effect upon the straw was most marked ; 

 its characteristic natural resistance is lost, and the various fatty 

 acids and aromatic compounds produced during the fermentation 

 tend to make it very palatable to stock. There is always a risk, 

 however, in working with fermentation of this sort, that it may go 

 too far and putrefaction set in, especially when air is allowed to 

 enter. 



The best proportion advised, in which to mix the green and 

 straw is three to one by weight respectively ; any green crop may 

 be employed, provided the material is used directly from cut. 

 In the preliminary experiments done, it was found that the mate- 

 rial was most suitable for feeding after six weeks. Nevertheless 

 actual trials and comparative feeding experiments are wanted. 



Varieties of Oats. (Univ. Coll. ofN. Wales, Bangor, Bull. 5, 1909). 

 The Journ. of the Board of Agric. May 1910. Vol. XVII, 

 N 2, London, pag. 144. 



"Twenty-one varieties of oats were grown at Madryn in 1909. 

 The yields were remarkably good, and there was little to choose 

 between a number of the best plots. The first five in yield were 

 Schlandstedter (114 bus. of 42 Ibs) Beseler's Prolific (109 bus.) 

 Abundance (108 bus.), Banner (108 bus.) and Wide Awake (106 bus). 

 This experiment has been carried on for seven years and results 

 are given in the report for each year. Over this period there has 

 been little difference between such well-known varieties as Abun- 

 dance, Newmarket, Wide Awake, Banner, Waverley, and Stable 

 King. Daubeny and the German varieties Beseler's Prolific, 



16 



