540 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. XXXVIII. No. 981 



then a known weight of the food to be 

 tested is added, and the increase in weight 

 again observed. The data thus obtained 

 indicate that so many pounds of starch 

 produce as much increase in live-weight as 

 so many pounds of the food under experi- 

 ment, from which it is easy to calculate how 

 many pounds of starch are actually re- 

 quired to produce as miich increase in live- 

 weight as 100 lb. of the food under experi- 

 ment. The starch equivalent thus found 

 expresses an experimentally determined 

 fact which is of immediate practical value 

 in arranging a dietary, its value, however, 

 depending on the accuracy with which it 

 has been determined. Kellner and his col- 

 leagues have thus determined the starch 

 equivalents of all the commonly used foods. 

 Their values for concentrated foods, and 

 other foods commonly used in Germany, 

 have been determined with considerable 

 accuracy, and with the method which has 

 also been devised for defining the relation 

 between the experimentally determined 

 equivalent and the equivalent calculated 

 from the analysis by means of a formula, 

 they form by far the most reliable basis for 

 arranging a feeding ration including such 

 kinds of foods. 



But roots, which form the staple of the 

 diet of fattening animals in Great Britain, 

 are not used on the same scale in Germany, 

 and Kellner 's starch equivalents for roots 

 have not been determined with sufficient 

 accuracy or under suitable conditions to 

 warrant their use for arranging diets under 

 our conditions. 



This, and the fact that the term starch 

 equivalent is so widely misunderstood, is no 

 doubt the reason why the Kellner equiva- 

 lent has not been more generally accepted 

 in Great Britain. An advance will be made 

 in the practise of feeding as soon as the 

 starch equivalent of roots has been accu- 

 rately determined under our conditions, 



when the Kellner equivalents will no doubt 

 come into general use. 



I have now reached the end of my survey. 

 I recognize that it is very incomplete, and 

 that I have been compelled to neglect whole 

 subjects in which important work has been 

 done. I venture to hope, however, that my 

 words have not been altogether unprofita- 

 ble. It is somewhat difficult to summarize 

 what is in itself really nothing but a sum- 

 mary. Perhaps, however, I may be allowed 

 to point out once more what appears to me 

 to be the moral of the last twenty years of 

 work in agricultural science. 



The many practical field and feeding 

 tests carried out all over the country have 

 demonstrated several very striking results ; 

 but, if they are to be continued with profit, 

 more trouble must be taken to insure accu- 

 racy. Farmers are ready to listen. It be- 

 hooves us more than ever to found what we 

 tell them on accurate results. 



Besides such practical trials, however, 

 miTch has been done in the way of individ- 

 ual scientific work. The results thus 

 obtained, as, for instance, Russell and 

 Hutchinson's partial sterilization of soils. 

 Biff en's new wheats, and Beaven's pure 

 Archer barley, are of practical value to the 

 farmer as immediate as the most practical 

 field trial, and of far wider application. 



T. B. Wood 



THE BOYAL GEOGBAPHICAL SOCIETY 

 Announcement has been made of the plans 

 for the new session of the Royal Geographical 

 Society. The first of the ordinary meetings 

 will be held, as usual, in the Theater, Burling- 

 ton-gardens, on November 10, when Mr. Ray- 

 mond E. Priestley will give an account of the 

 work and adventures of the northern party of 

 Captain Scott's Antarctic expedition, for the 

 conduct of which, under the most trying cir- 

 cumstances, it will be remembered Lieutenant 

 Victor Campbell was awarded a gold watch by 

 the society. At the next meeting, on jSTovem- 



