SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.— M. 



633 



' practical ' contention that the ' Scotia ' swedes mature, relative to other varieties, at 

 a later date. 



The effect of the silicophosphate was to produce bulbs having more dry matter and 

 * carbohydrate.' The phosphate content of the manured plants was greater but the 

 distribution between leaves and bulb was similar to that in the control plants. After 

 production of maximum amount of dry matter in the leaf, the ' calcium-phosphorus ' 

 molecular composition of the leaves was nearlj- the same in both series, the manured 

 bulbs then containing more phosphorus. The silicon absorbed was not translocated 

 to the leaf so early as in the case of the ' control ' plants. The manured bulb absorbed 

 more silica but it was retained in the bulb, while, in absence of sufficient phosphorus, 

 the control plant utilised more silica in the leaf. A comparison of the molecular 

 composition of the control and manured bulbs shows that mineral composition of the 

 dry matter was modified by the manurial treatment. 



The ' calcium-nitrogen ' molecular ratio in the dry matter of the leaves was not 

 influenced by the application of the silicophosphate. 



The ' calcium-phosphorus-nitrogen ' molecular composition of the manured bulbs 

 ■was constant during November, December and January. 



The mineral molecular composition of the manured bulb at the first sampling was 

 similar to that of the silicophosphate applied. 



Prof. R. H. Leitch. — Cheese Defects, Biological and Biochemical Factors. 



Dr. A. C. McCandlish. — The Place of Succulent Feeds in the Dairy Ration. 



During recent years there has been much discussion on the value of succulent 

 feeds for milk production. Roots have generally been looked on as one of the main- 

 stays of the dairy farm in the south-west of Scotland, but some now say that miUc can 

 be produced more cheaply without than with them. Then many claims have been 

 put forward for the sUo as a labour-saving device, while dried beet pulp has also 

 received considerable attention. The results from a number of trials on these 

 problems at the West of Scotland Agricultural College are now available. 



Silage and Swedes. 



In three trials silage was compared with swedes, and it was found that on the 

 average llj cwt. of silage was equivalent to one ton of swedes. If an allowance of 

 10 per cent, be made for losses in the silo, then 12 tons llf cwt. of silage must be 

 produced per acre to get the same feeding returns as from a 20-ton crop of swedes, 

 or 19 tons 7|- cwt. silage to be equal to 30 tons of swedes. The silage must be fed 

 out of the silo at a cost not exceeding 26s. per ton to be as economical as swedes 

 costing 15s. per ton. 



Dried Beet Pulp. 



It is sometimes said that dried beet pulp has a depressing influence on the com- 

 position of milk, especially in so far as the solids not fat are concerned, but experimental 

 work shows that this is not the case. In a trial where the dried pulp was com- 

 pared with swedes it was found that 3J cwt. of pulp was equivalent to one ton of 

 swedes, and with swedes at 15s. per ton the dried beet pulp was worth £4 per ton. 



Roots or No Roots. 

 In one trial which has been completed a ration of 40 lb. swedes and 12 lb. hay 

 was compared with 20 lb. hay, suitable grain allowances being given in each case. An 

 increase of 4 per cent, in milk and fat production was obtained when the roots were 

 fed and the cost of milk production was lowered by id. per gallon. A further trial, 

 which is being carried through at least two lactations, is in agreement with this so far. 



The Root Allowance. 

 Allowances of 40 and 60 lb. of roots have been compared, and it was found that 

 the increase in the root allowance, with a decrease in the allowance of concentrates, 

 brought about no change in yield, but each extra 10 lb. of roots fed was equivalent to 

 1 lb. of concentrates and had a value of £1 per ton. 



Summary. 

 Swedes, silage and dried beet pulp give good results for milk production, and the 

 choice of succulent feed will depend on cost. Use the one which can be obtained at 

 the lowest relative cost. Milk can be produced without succulent feeds, but where 

 they can be produced they are of value in the dairy ration. 



