16 



UNIV. OF N. H. AGR. EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 232 



rabbits; namely, that in size crosses different characters do not inherit 

 equally. This phenomenon, together with the generally observed increase 

 of variability in the second cross, accounts no doubt in a large measure for 

 the discredit into which continued inbreeding has fallen in the popular 

 mind, in spite of the fact that the history of our standard breeds shows 

 that, in the establishment of new breeds or combination of traits, success 

 depends largely on the most rigid culling of the undesirable elements and 

 the most intensive inbreeding of the selected stock. 



In studies of the wool characters of the animals used in the cross- 

 breeding experiment fleece weight was found to be considerably affected 



Multi-nippled sheep from Alexander Graham Bell flock, result of oS years 



of selective breeding. 



by age, feeding, and general environmental conditions, and was, therefore, 

 very difficult to analyze genetically. Fineness of wool is evidently con- 

 trolled by multiple factors, and together with length of fiber tends to 

 diminish in successive generations in the Southdown and Rambouillet 

 cross, but there seems no physiological dependence of small diameter on 

 shortness of fiber. Crimpiness is also intermediate in its mode of inheri- 

 tance, though there is an inclination of the Fi toward the more crimpy 

 parent. The relation between crimp and diameter of fiber does not seem 

 significant, though a positive correlation was found. (Adams Fund.) 



PHYSIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF DAIRY COWS 



The studies of nutrition of dair}^ cows have indicated a need for greater 

 knowledge of the physiology of the animal under herd conditions. More 

 definite figures of how a cow spends her day were desired. Observations 

 of the 49 different cows in the University herd made by J. M. Fuller indi- 

 cate that the amount of time spent standing and lying is approximately 

 equal, the exact figures being 51.33 per cent time standing and 48.67 per 

 cent time lying. Breed may have had a slight influence, Ayrshires stand- 

 ing 50.63 per cent of time. Guernseys 52.79 per cent, Holsteins 53.8 per 

 cent, and Jerseys 47.24 per cent. 



Studies were made of the time spent in eating, deglutition, rumination, 

 and regurgitation, as well as of respiration and pulse rates; and a bulletin 

 reporting on the project will be issued shortly. (Purnell Fund.) 



