bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Critical examination of the methods employed in silage analysis, with observations on some special chemical characteristics of “sour” silage
Authors: Woodman Herbert Ernest
Published: March 2009

A résumé of the analytical methods hitherto employed for the chemical investigation of samples of silage has been given. It has been shown that these methods fail to yield trustworthy results when applied to the analysis of “sour” silage, owing to the disturbing effect of the presence of appreciable amounts of ammonium salts of organic acids in this type of silage.

Investigations have been made into the behaviour of the ammonium salts of acetic, butyric and lactic acids, when solutions of these substances, in the presence and absence of the free organic acids, are (1) submitted to distillation in steam, (2) evaporated in the steam oven under conditions comparable with those obtaining during the determination of the dry matter of silage. The bearing of these results on the problem of silage analysis has been discussed.

A modified analytical procedure for silage investigations has been devised which is capable of general application.
Some effects of clipping the tops upon the root development of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.)
Authors: Thornton H. G. , Nicol Hugh
Published: March 2009

V. Summary and abstract

1. Inoculated lucerne was grown in pots of sand and watered with nitrogen-free food solution. In some of the pots the lucerne was clipped once, in some twice and in some it was left unclipped. Pots were harvested on four dates at intervals of about three weeks. Counts and measurements of nodules were made and dry weights and nitrogen contents of tops and roots were obtained.

2. Clipping did not significantly alter the nodule numbers, their mean size, or the total nitrogen contents of the plants, i.e. in tops, including clippings, plus roots.

3. Clipping, however, resulted in a decrease in the nitrogen content of the roots of about 40 per cent, as compared with undipped plants. This nitrogen was transferred to the tops where it was removed in the clippings.
Nutritive value of pasture XI. The composition and nutritive value of winter pasturage
Authors: Woodman H. E. , Oosthuizen P. M.
Published: March 2009

An attempt has been made in the investigation described in this paper to elucidate the nutritional characteristics of winter pasturage. The yield, composition and digestibility have been determined of pasturage produced by unrestricted growth over the following periods: (1) end of July 1932 to December 1932; (2) end of August 1932 to January 1933; (3) end of September 1932 to February 1933; (4) end of October 1931 to March 1932. In both years of experiment the winters were mild and open, and the conditions as a whole were such as to enable the nutritional possibilities of winter grazing to be studied under the most favourable conditions. In order to assess the influence of winter conditions on composition and feeding value the results in every case have been compared with data, obtained in investigations in previous years on the same pasture, for spring and summer herbage of comparable height, stage of growth and botanical composition.
The determination of winter-hardiness in oats
Authors: Mather K. , Andersson G.
Published: March 2009

When assessing the value of any variety of a commercial plant one is concerned with a number of different features of the plant's behaviour, among others winter-hardiness. The behaviour with regard to most of these features is tested by methods which have been carefully planned and whose reliability has been proved, but the determination of winter-hardiness is still a matter of observing the reaction of the plants to the conditions prevailing at that season of the year. However, in England, particularly in the southern counties, the winters are comparatively mild and it is only occasionally that the climate provides a really good test of the plant's resistance. On the other hand it is necessary to have some knowledge of the winter-hardiness of a variety, since otherwise disastrous results may follow on a really hard winter. A method of determining the resistance of new varieties in the laboratory would provide the solution to this problem.
The riboflavin requirement of the White Wyandotte chick. III. The rates of depletion of the tissues
Authors: Bolton W.
Published: March 2009

1. Experiments are described in which the riboflavin contents of the liver, kidney, heart and leg muscles of chicks were assayed during the first few weeks after hatching, using birds reared on both riboflavin-deficient and riboflavin-adequate diets.

2. Changes in the composition of the liver during the first 3 weeks after hatching have been studied.

3. At hatching, half the chick's liver consists of oil; this proportion is maintained during the first week, but falls to about one-eighth during the second week and maintains this level during the third week.

4. When birds are reared on a riboflavin-deficient diet, the riboflavin concentrations of the heart and kidney are reduced more rapidly than that of the leg muscles.
Magnesium metabolism in the dairy cow. III. The intake and excretion of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, water and dry matter in relation to the development of hypomagnesaemia
Authors: Rook J. A. F. , Balch C. C.
Published: March 2009

1. Information, obtained in the metabolism experiments described previously (Rook et al. 1958; Rook & Balch, 1958), is given on the intake and oxcretion, of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, water and dry matter by milking cows receiving winter-stall diets or cut-grass in the stall.

2. Grass diets cut from swards at an early stage of growth gave a lower intake of calcium, a lower Ca:P ratio and a lower intake of alkaline earth alkali (Ca + Mg – P in g. equiv./day) than did typical winter diets or a grass diet cut from a sward at a mature stage of growth.

3. The intake of potassium was considerably higher with the grass diets (mean value, 327 g./day) than with the typical winter diets (mean value, 181 g./day). The intake of sodium, however, showed a similar range for cut-grass and winter stall diets, but the lowest average intake, of about 10 g./day, was with an early cut of a cocksfoot/rye-grass sward.

4. The water ingested with the food was highest with the cut-grass diets but this was largely compensated for by a decrease in the water drunk. In a few individual animals, however, diuresis developed a few days after the feeding of grass was commenced and this was associated with a marked increase in the water drunk.

5. No major difference in the metabolism of sodium, potassium or water was observed between the cut grass diets and the winter diets and the results obtained do not support the view that the fluidity of faeces of cattle at pasture in the spring is indicative of diarrhoea and is associated with an excessive loss of nutrients via athe faecal route.

6. There was no evidence to suggest that the development of hypomagnesaemia was related to the amounts of calcium, phosphorus, sodium and potassium consumed and excreted with the cut grass diets.
The ammoniacal nitrogen of peats and humus soils. Part II
Authors: Ellis J. C. B. , Morison C. G. T.
Published: March 2009

1. When a peat, as obtained from the bog, is dried, considerable changes occur in the amount of ammoniacal nitrogen removable by distillation with magnesia under reduced pressure.

2. Removal of water causes a relative increase in the amount of ammonia extractable by water. This is due to a reduction in the absorptive colloidal properties of the peat.

3. A partial recovery in the absorptive power takes place on prolonged contact with water.
Influence of changes in level of feeding on milk production
Authors: Yates F. , Boyd D. A. , Pettit G. H. N.
Published: March 2009

The influence upon milk production of changes in level of feeding and in proportion of bulky foods has been investigated, using all available experimental material.

The experimental results show that increases in level of feeding, to rates well in excess of conventional English standards, are capable of giving substantial increases in milk production (Fig. 1).

It is shown that physiological efficiency falls off as food intake is increased. A curve representing physiological efficiency has been constructed by taking account of changes in live weight as well as changes in yield of milk (Fig. 4).
The riboflavin content of poultry feeding stuffs
Authors: Bondi A. , Meyer H.
Published: March 2009

A suitable method of fluorimetric determination of riboflavin was developed, and riboflavin in various poultry feeding stuffs was determined by its use.

Riboflavin was determined in fodder plants, vegetable refuse and wild plants. The influence of seasonal changes and of different stages of growth on the riboflavin content in fodder plants was investigated. Summer-grown plants contain more riboflavin than those grown in the rainy winter season. The riboflavin content of the plants declines in the course of their growth.
The horse-chestnut as a source of food for livestock. II. The value of alcohol-extracted horse-chestnut meal, water-extracted horse-chestnut meal and horse-chestnut residue as a partial substitute for cereals in the rations of bacon pigs
Authors: Woodman H. E. , Evans R. E.
Published: March 2009

Two large-scale feeding trials have been carried out with the object of testing the validity of findings from pig digestion trials in respect of the nutritive value of horse-chestnut residue (a by-product of the manufacture of saponin and glucose from horse-chestnuts); and of alcohol-extracted and water-extracted horse-chestnut meals.

Trial I. The horse-chestnut residue was fed in two separate periods, the first from 50 to 100 lb. live weight, when the residue constituted 20 % of the total ration, and the second from 190 lb. to slaughter weight, when the allowance was increased to 30%. In both periods the residue replaced an equal percentage of ground oats in the control ration.
Non-sward densities for the assessment of yield in Italian ryegrass: II. Convenient plot and block size and shape
Authors: England F.
Published: March 2009

Two uniformity trials were carried out, one using S. 22 and the other Irish Italian ryegrass. In both trials the plants were grown at 6 in spacing and were harvested in basic units of 1 yd. If no allowance was made for guard rows the smallest plots were the most efficient in that they required a smaller total area of ground and fewer plants to detect a specified difference. For comparative purposes, the size of trial required to detect a difference of 7% of the mean was used. Allowing for 1 guard row round each plot, 2 yd plots were as efficient as those of 1 yd and had the advantage of requiring fewer replications. The effects of plot and block shape were considerable. In general long narrow plots in short wide blocks were more efficient. The choice of plot and block shape is most important. For a given plot size a poor shape may be less than half as efficient as a good one.
Effect of feeding dried beet pulp on growth rate of Awassi sheep
Authors: Al-Azzawi I. I. , Ghoneim K. E. , El-Haidary H. , Kazzal N. T.
Published: March 2009

Groups of Awassi lambs, aged 7–13 months at start of the trial, were fed for 100 days on four different rations. A ‘control’ ration contained ground barley: the others contained different proportions of dried sugar-beet pulp, and no barley.

Male lambs were initially heavier, and gave better weight gains than the females. Groups on beet pulp grew better than the ‘control’. The most economical weight gains were obtained in the group in which beet pulp constituted 40 % of the ‘concentrate’ portion of the diet.
Plant growth with nutrient solutions: I. A brief review of existing work
Authors: Johnson Delphine Ainslie , Woodman Rowland Marcus
Published: March 2009

Much work has been done with regard to the elements necessary for plants, their function in the plant, methods of absorption, amounts necessary, nutrient solutions, etc. The following is particularly, concerned with nutrient solutions, including their composition, concentration, methods of application, and the general methods of dealing with sand and water cultures. The work is confined mainly to a study of the major elements.
The aneurin (vitamin B1) content of oats: I. The influence of variety and locality. II. Possible losses in milling
Authors: Holman W. I. M. , Godden W.
Published: March 2009

1. The aneurin content of samples of whole oat grain representing six commonly used varieties grown in different districts in Scotland and Wales did not vary widely and there were no appreciable varietal or geographical differences.

2. There was a significant positive correlation between aneurin and protein content (r= 0·42).

3. During the growth of the oat plant from the flowering stage a steady storage of aneurin in the kernels was observed until the crop was harvested, and there was a simultaneous decrease in the aneurin content of the dry matter of the hulls, leaves and straw, suggesting a translocation of aneurin from the leaves to the kernels during the maturation of the plant.
Experimental production of hypomagnesaemia in ewes and its control by small magnesium supplements
Authors: Ritchie N. S. , Hemingway R. G. , Inglis J. S. S. , Peacock R. M.
Published: March 2009

1. A low magnesium diet is described, consisting of barley straw, sucrose and casein, which induced hypomagnesaemia and one case of clinical tetany in non-pregnant, non-lactating ewes.

2. On the above diet a daily drench of 0·25 g. MgO maintained plasma magnesium levels at 1·60–1·80 mg./100 ml. which was significantly higher than the plasma magnesium level of 1·09–1·20 mg./100 ml. for the unsupplemented group.

3. An experimental formulation of a magnesium heavy pellet is described and its use as a method of supplementation was investigated. On the above diet it was found that two or four heavy pellets also maintained plasma magnesium values at 1·601–80 mg./100 ml. which was significantly higher (P = 0·01) than the level of the unsupplemented group.

4. Five sheep out of the forty ewes used in this experiment were found to have consistently lower plasma magnesium values than the remaining thirty-five.

5. A preliminary trial of the use of heavy pellets as a magnesium supplement in non-pregnant, non-lactating ewes on winter grazing is described. The results of the trial under these conditions were encouraging.
Study of the effects of fertilizers and rainfall on yields of crops grown in rotation
Authors: Cowie G. A
Published: March 2009

An analysis of the data from the continuous manurial experiment in Woodlands Field, Craibstone Experimental Farm, Aberdeen, has demonstrated the effects of fertilizers and of rainfall on the yields of various crops grown on a six-course rotation plan with a basal application of dung to the roots. The soil is a dark brown medium loam of which the parent material is ‘drift’ from the grinding down of granite and metamorphic rocks and is typical of a large class of glacial soils in the north-east of Scotland.

Of the three major nutrients nitrogen gave the largest mean response on every crop except hay. The hay yield was benefited least by nitrogen and most by potash. The effect of nitrogen was to depress slightly, but not significantly, the total production of the ley for the 3 years. Potash, on the other hand, significantly improved the yield of hay as well as of the aftermath and the following ‘pastures’. The phosphate and potash responses were approximately equal in respect of barley, oats and potatoes. Turnips, swedes and potatoes responded similarly to potash, but in terms of dry matter the response was markedly higher for potatoes.

Superphosphate proved more effective than ground mineral phosphate on every crop except turnips. Further study of the data revealed interesting differences between the crops in respect of their capacity for utilizing ground mineral phosphate. Oats gave negligible responses to mineral phosphate throughout the experiment.
The sperm production of adult rams in relation to frequency of semen collection
Authors: Chang M. C.
Published: March 2009

Many estimates have been made of sperm production in various species, but in most cases examinations have been made infrequently or with irregular intervals between successive collections. Since during a period of sexual rest spermatozoa may accumulate in the epididymis, or with longer periods may undergo disintegration and absorption in the vas and ampulla (Simeone & Young, 1931), the number ejaculated at an particular collection will not necessarily reflect the level of sperm production in the testis. Moreover, there is the possibility that copulation may actually stimulate spermatogenesis. In horses, Chang (1943) found that more sperms were ejaculated if collections were made frequently and at regular intervals. In the present experiments an attempt has been made to determine the effect of frequency of collection upon the sperm production of rams, the collections being taken at regular intervals and for a definite period, in this case ten days.
Effects of day length on the morphology and flowering of five determinate varieties of Phaseolus vulgaris L.
Authors: Ojehomon O. O. , Rathjen A. S. , Morgan D. G.
Published: March 2009

In an experiment to determine the effect of photoperiods of 11, 13 and 15 h on the floral development of five determinate varieties of Phaseolus vulgaris it has been shown that long photoperiods bring about the abscission of flower buds on the main axis and secondary branches of three varieties native to South America. On the basis of these results it is concluded that under field conditions it is the long photoperiods of the British summer which are largely responsible for the poor development and eventual abscission of flower buds in these varieties for most of the growing season.
Effect of dressings of basic slag on the lime status of soils
Authors: Williams Rice
Published: March 2009

(1) The addition of basic slag to moist base-unsaturated soils, under laboratory conditions, causes an increase in their content of exchangeable calcium, degree of saturation, pH, and the amount of calcium soluble in an aqueous solution of carbon dioxide.

(2) Slag seems to be almost as effective as calcium carbonate or lime in increasing the exchangeable calcium and the degree of saturation of soils, but its action on pH is not so marked.

(3) The effect of dressings of slag on the lime status of soils from experimental plots is still evident after eight years.

(4) The exchangeable calcium of samples of soil taken from the same fields after an interval of six years shows a considerable fall due to leaching.

(5) It is suggested that the addition of low grade basic slag to unsaturated soils may tend to maintain or improve their lime status and will, to some extent, compensate for the loss of calcium due to drainage and crops.
The effect of flooding with seawater on the fertility of the soil
Authors: Page H. J. , Williams W.
Published: March 2009

The flooding with sea-water of land around the Humber in 1921 spoilt a considerable area of arable land.

The effects of the flooding, which consisted chiefly in an entire destruction of the tilth of the soil, are described, and compared with the recorded effects of similar floods in Holland and in Essex.

The results of an examination of the exchangeable bases in the flooded soil are considered in the light of modern work on the relation between the nature of the exchangeable bases in the soil and its physical condition. It is shown that the observed effects can be explained by replacement of a considerable proportion of the exchangeable calcium of the soil by sodium.

Dutch experience on the reclamation of flooded soils is discussed. It is shown that in the first few years after flooding the land should be cultivated as little as possible.

The use of lime or gypsum for the treatment of flooded soils, in order to hasten the restitution of calcium to the clay in place of sodium, is discussed. From an examination of the soil from plots which had been treated with these materials it is shown that although both produced in some degree the desired effect chemically, the action did not proceed far enough in 12 months to produce a noticeable improvement in the tilth.

It may be possible under favourable conditions to grow certain arable crops on flooded land, among which crucifers appear to be specially suitable.

However, the most satisfactory and promising means of hastening the recovery of tilth and fertility by flooded land appears to be the establishment of a ley of lucerne, clover, or “seeds” which can be left down for several years.
Nutritive value of pasture: II. Seasonal variations in the productivity, botanical and chemical composition, and nutritive value of pasturage on a heavy clay soil
Authors: Woodman H. E. , Blunt D. L. , Stewart J.
Published: March 2009

The investigation which has been dealt with in this communication was essentially a continuation of earlier work carried out in 1925 and was primarily designed with the object of ascertaining whether, under greatly differing conditions in respect of soil, herbage and weather, the striking results obtained in the 1925 investigation concerning the chemical composition, digestibility and nutritive value of pasture herbage, under a system of cutting resembling the conditions of close grazing, still held good.
Experiments comparing the effects on yields of potatoes of three methods of applying three amounts of NPK fertilizer and the residual effects on following winter wheat
Authors: Widdowson F. V. , Penny A. , Williams R. J. B.
Published: March 2009

1. Seven experiments with main-crop potatoes on heavy soils from 1962–5 measured yields from 0, 5, 10 or 15 cwt/acre of 13–13–20 fertilizer; (1) broadcast and worked into the soil by seed bed preparations; (2) broadcast on the final seed bed; (3) placed in bands 3 in. from the seed centre. Wheat followed the potatoes and was manured with 0, 5, or 10 cwt/acre (of the equivalent) of 13–13–20 fertilizer, in all combinations with the four amounts of, and the three ways of applying, the fertilizer given for the potatoes.

2. Fertilizer greatly increased potato yields and 15 cwt/acre of 13–13–20 was justified, provided it was broadcast. Both methods of broadcasting gave similar yields with 5 or 10 cwt/acre, but working the fertilizer into the seed bed was usually the better method with 15 cwt/acre of the fertilizer. Placing in bands beside the seed was the best method in four experiments with 5 cwt, in two with 10 cwt, but never with 15 cwt/acre of fertilizer.

3. Yields of green wheat, and of grain and of straw, were increased by residues of fertilizer applied for the potatoes, but were increased much more by freshly applied fertilizer. The residues increased wheat yields by the same amount as one quarter as much freshly applied fertilizer. The residues had smallest effects when the winter rainfall was largest, and were the same however the fertilizer had been applied.
A reassessment of extra gonadal sperm reserves in Suffolk rams
Authors: Dott H. M. , Skinner J. D.
Published: March 2009

A mean of 27·137( ± 2·634) × 109 sperm were found in ten epididymides from six Suffolk rams. This is substantially fewer than has been reported previously because fewer spermatozoa were found in the cauda. However, the total number is similar to that calculated on the basis of daily sperm production and testis weight.
Loss involved by igniting soil fractions during the mechanical analysis of soils
Authors: Martin F. J.
Published: March 2009

1. Examinations have been made of the losses involved by igniting fractions of tropical soils.

2. It has been found that these losses are partly due to organic matter and partly to combined water; the greater part of the loss is due to water.

3. In the clay fraction there is a correlation between the amount of combined water and the silica/alumina ratio; the greater the ratio the less the combined water. This is affected by the proportion of iron present.

4. Lateritic soils lose more water on ignition than other soils but the lateritic material in soils is not necessarily evenly distributed throughout the fractions; those fractions containing the highest proportions of lateritic material lose the most water.
Note on the action of hydrogen peroxide on farmyard manure in different stages of decomposition
Authors: Jones G. H. Gethin
Published: March 2009

G. W. Robinson and J. O. Jones (1) have shown that humified can be distinguished from non-humified organic matter by the use of 6 per cent, hydrogen peroxide. Humified organic matter is apparently oxidizedor rendered soluble by this reagent, whilst structural organic matter is unattacked. It seems reasonable to suppose that a similar distinction might be made in the case of farmyard manure between the amorphous decomposed material and the unaltered fibre of the faeces and litter. In other words, the degree of decomposition of farmyard manure might be determined by a method similar to that suggested for the degree of humification of soil organic matter. It is recognised that farmyard manure differs somewhat from soil organic matter in that the former includes the naturally soluble constituents of the litter, faeces and urine, which are either oxidized completely or rendered soluble in the peroxide treatment. However, they may be regarded as analogous in that both have undergone putrefactive decomposition. In the present paper, humification is used as a convenient term for the processes whereby organic matter is changed to structureless colloidal material and not as implying their exact correspondence with humification in the soil.
Vasectomy as a method of sterilising ram lambs: A comparison with castration
Authors: Quinlan John
Published: March 2009

In a previous paper Quinlan(1) published the results of his observations on a flock of sheep which had been vasectomised for two years. The present paper contains a résumé of the data already published, to which an additional twelve months' observations have been added. This paper gives the data available from observations carried out on the flock over a period covering three years, or a period of time which allowed full skeletal development to take place.
Bordeaux mixture in combination with arsenical sprays
Authors: Goodwin WM. , Martin H.
Published: March 2009

1. The interaction of Bordeaux mixture with lead arsenate and with calcium arsenate has been studied by an examination of the effects which are produced:

(a) When hydrated lime is added to the arsenical compounds.

(b) When copper sulphate is added to the arsenical compounds and hydrated lime.

2. The nature of the interaction of calcium hydroxide and diplumbic hydrogen arsenate has been shown to be most complex and to result in the complete decomposition of part of the lead arsenate and th e formation of basic calcium arsenates.

3. Support is not given to the view that calcium carbonate decomposes diplumbic hydrogen arsenate with the production of soluble arsenic compounds.

4. When the lead arsenate, in water, is allowed to interact for long periods with excess of hydrated lime, the amount of basic calcium arsenates formed is such that large quantities of arsenic are brought into solution by the action of carbon dioxide.

5. Under conditions when the calcium hydroxide is rapidly converted to the carbonate the amount of arsenic rendered soluble is slight.

6. The conclusion is formed that in actual spraying there is a definite reduction of the risk of arsenical injury when hydrated lime is added to lead arsenate and to calcium arsenate.

7. It is concluded that when the conditions are such that the addition of hydrated lime brings about a reduction of arsenical injury, the use of an “equal-lime” Bordeaux mixture containing an equivalent amount of calcium hydroxide will prove far more effective.
The Estimation of the Efficiency of Sampling, with Special Reference to Sampling for Yield in Cereal Experiments
Authors: Yates F. , Zacopanay I.
Published: March 2009

The estimation of the experimental yields of cereal crops by sampling methods is considered in the light of results of eighteen experiments which were harvested by these methods at Rothamsted and its associated centres. The harvesting results of the Crop-Weather series of experiments are also included.

A preliminary discussion of the interpretation of the analysis of variance as applied to sampling results is given, and an expression is found for the loss of information arising out of sampling. The results of the discussion are applicable to all types of sampling carried out on replicated experiments.

The sampling and experimental errors of all the experiments have been calculated. The variation between sampling units in the same subplot (usually between l/100th and l/200th acre) was found to be such as would arise if each metre length of row had a standard deviation (about the plot mean) of the order of 25–30 per cent. of the mean yield.
Digestibility trials with poultry: The digestibility of dura, carobs and hide-fleshings
Authors: Bondi A. , Meyer H.
Published: March 2009

Digestibility trials with poultry were carried out with dura, carobs and hide-fleshings.

1. Dura equals the feeding value of corn and exceeds that of wheat, barley and oats. The high feeding value of dura is due to the large amount of easily digestible starch, and to the very small percentage of crude fibre.

2. Carobs. The main nutrient factor in carobs is represented by the totally digestible sugars contained in the N-free extract. Protein and crude fibre are not digested to any appreciable extent. The feeding value of carobs was compared with that of grain foodstuffs.

3. Hide-fleshings are a by-product of the tanneries. They contain 66·25 % of protein, which is digested by poultry like meat-meal protein (89·9 %).

The authors wish to thank Mrs Gnessia Rabinovicz for her untiring assistance in the execution of these experiments.
The effect of ammonium sulphate treated with a nitrification inhibitor, and calcium nitrate, on growth and N-uptake of spring wheat, ryegrass and kale
Authors: Spratt E. D. , Gasser J. K. R.
Published: March 2009

Wheat, ryegrass and kale were grown with ammonium sulphate (treated with a nitrification inhibitor) or calcium nitrate supplying 50 and 100 lb N/acre, and without fertilizer-N. Plants were sampled at various stages, dry weights measured, percentage N determined and N uptakes calculated.

Initially wheat and ryegrass grew better and took up more N with ammonium fertilizer than with nitrate. Final yields of dry matter did not differ between forms. Kale produced more dry matter with calcium nitrate than with ammonium sulphate. All crops produced more dry matter with fertilizer-N than without. Fertilized crops contained greatest weights of N 109 days after sowing, when wheat and ryegrass had more with ammonium than with nitrate and kale had less. The 50 lb N/acre as calcium nitrate produced the most wheat grain/lb of fertilizer-N.

During the period when growth and N uptake were fastest, wheat grew faster with ammonium than with nitrate, ryegrass grew similarly with both forms, and kale faster with nitrate; wheat and ryegrass took up N faster from ammonium sulphate and kale from calcium nitrate.

Mature wheat recovered 58% of the fertilizer-N from calcium nitrate and 43% from ammonium sulphate. After 21 weeks of growth, kale recovered more N from calcium nitrate (50%) than from ammonium sulphate (24%), whereas grass recovered about 40% from each.
A study in the mineral composition of the soils of South Ayrshire
Authors: Eldee Samuel , McCall Robert J. S.
Published: March 2009

1. A detailed mineralogical analysis was carried out on soils, specially selected by members of the Soil Survey.

2. The heavy liquid separation showed a higher percentage of ferromagnesian minerals in soils from the Northern than the Southern Drift area.

3. The minerals identified in the soils may be referred to fairly local origins, but no close relationship with subjacent rock has been established.

4. The mineral assemblage was characteristically fresh and angular.

5. Hypersthene, sphalerite and hornblende are characteristic of the Southern Drift, while barkevikite is more pronounced in the Northern Drift.

6. Comparisons are made with results obtained by investigators in other areas.
Selenium as a catalyst in the Kjeldahl method as applied to soil and grass analysis
Authors: Ashton F. L.
Published: March 2009

(a) A comparison was made between the catalytic efficiency of selenium and of copper sulphate in the Kjeldahl method as applied to the analysis of grass. The same value for total nitrogen was eventually obtained by both methods, but with selenium it was reached some 90 min. earlier than with copper sulphate.

(b) The clearing of the digested matter was no criterion for deciding whether all the nitrogen in grass had been converted to ammonium sulphate, maximum values not being obtained with selenium until between 2 and 3 hours afterwards.

(c) The catalysts were compared for three samples of soil with digestion periods ranging from when the digested material first cleared to 32 hours afterwards. The selenium figures showed an increase for the first 3 hours, and then remained constant up to the 32-hour period. The copper sulphate figures, however, showed a steady increase for the first 24 hours, after which they became constant at the same values as those reached earlier by the selenium figures.
The fertilizer value of some concentrated materials, particularly urea and guanidine and their nitrates and phosphates
Authors: Lewis A. H.
Published: March 2009

A survey of the fertilizer value of certain highly concentrated N and NP materials, particularly salts of urea and of guanidine, which might be used as fertilizers, has been made. The evidence in the literature indicates that whilst guanidine carbonate and nitrate, especially the latter, may under certain conditions be toxic to the growth of certainc plants, under other conditions these guanidine salts have considerable fertilizer value which is, however, less than that of ammonium sulphate. Urea nitrate appears to have about the same value as guanidine nitrate. No reference to experiments with guanidine or urea phosphates could be found. Pot culture experiments were conducted with barley and mustard in acid and neutral soils to study the effects of ammonium, urea and guanidine salts, including their nitrates and phosphates, and of two extremely concentrated materials, phospham (PN2H) and phosphorus nitride (P3N5). The rate of nitrification of ammonium, urea and guanidine nitrogen were also studied in the laboratory.
The transport of water through heavy clay soils. III
Authors: Childs E. C.
Published: March 2009

It is shown that the theory of diffusion of water through soil accomplishes three things:

(a) It accounts qualitatively for the water movement from wet to dry soil observed by the American workers quoted.

(b) It fits the best experiments numerically.

(c) It is at present alone in doing this.
Effects of pulverized fuel ash on the moisture characteristics of coarse-textured soils and on crop yields
Authors: Salter P. J. , Webb D. S. , Williams J. B.
Published: March 2009

In field experiments carried out over a period of three years studies were made of the effects on soil moisture characteristics and crop yields of incorporating pulverized fuel ash into the surface 30 cm of a sandy loam and a coarse sand. Ash from two different sources was used at rates equivalent to 0, 125, 251, 502 and 753 t/ha and crops of carrots, lettuce, radish and red beet were grown.

On every occasion when determinations were made the available-water capacities of the soils treated with 251 t/ha or more of ash were greater than the untreated soils; the largest increase (93%) was obtained with the highest rate of ash. Moisture release characteristics indicated that the increased amount of available water was retained in the soils at matric suctions between 0·05 and 1·0 atmospheres.

Despite the increased amount of available water retained in these soils there was generally no beneficial effect on crop growth and yields.
The riboflavin requirement of the White Wyandotte chick
Authors: Bolton W.
Published: March 2009

1. Literature relevant to the elucidation of the role of riboflavin in chick nutrition is briefly reviewed.

2. A series of experiments on the quantitative requirement of White Wyandotte chicks for riboflavin is described.

3. The riboflavin requirement of White Wyandotte chicks for optimum growth to 6 weeks of age is the same as that for optimum efficiency of food utilization over the same period (3·0 μg. riboflavin per g. food).

4. The riboflavin content for the prevention of curled-toe paralysis is 3·6 μg. per g. food, and is slightly greater than the requirement for optimum growth and food utilization.

5. The curve relating the riboflavin content of the diet to the riboflavin content of the chick's liver has a sigmoid form, and in general tends to lie asymptotically to values of about 26 μg. riboflavin per g. fresh liver when the intake is grossly deficient, and 39 μg. riboflavin per g. fresh liver when the intake is fully adequate.

6. It is suggested that the riboflavin content of the liver may be a more satisfactory criterion of the minimum riboflavin requirement for full well-being than the amounts necessary to secure optimum growth and prevention of curled-toe paralysis.
Experiments on the use of home-grown foods for milk production. III. The effect of over- and under-feeding during mid-lactation
Authors: Blaxter K. L.
Published: March 2009

1. A small-scale experiment in which cows have been fed at three levels for 3 weeks during mid-lactation has been carried out.

2. The results show that the changes in milk yield due to changes in the level of feeding were relatively small.

3. It has been suggested that where short-term food shortages occur in well-fed herds, economy should take place in the rations of the cows in mid-lactation rather than in the ration of the cows which are soon due to calve.
The breeding of two-row winter-hardy barley
Authors: Bell G. D. H.
Published: March 2009

It has been shown in these breeding investigations that it is possible to combine the winter hardiness of low-yielding varieties possessing characters unsuited for cultivation in this country, with many of the desirable features of the best two-row spring varieties at present grown for malting purposes. Although, with the production of the new hybrid variety Pioneer, a definite advance has been made in the production of a two-row winter barley for malting, there is no reason to suppose that further improvements cannot be made, and work is proceeding with this object in view. But in addition to the special problem of malting barley, the results so far obtained indicate that there is considerable scope in this hybridization of winter and spring varieties for the production of forms suitable for growing as feeding barleys. The hybridization of varieties differing so widely in their morphological and physiological characters, and also in their ecological adaptation, gives a wide basis for the selection of a great range of forms. On the other hand, distant hybridization of this type is liable to result in the production of a very high proportion of worthless material, involving the loss of the highest expression of the very specialized characters necessary in a barley possessing the attributes of a high-yielding malting variety with satisfactory field characters.
The survival feeding of pregnant and lactating beef cows on all-sorghum grain rations: the effects of two levels of grain and early weaning of the calves
Authors: Morris J. G.
Published: March 2009

Forty-six cows in store condition (mean ± S.E. body weight of 366 ± 8 kg) were fed individually either 3 or 4 kg of coarsely rolled sorghum grain/head/day for the last 100 days of pregnancy and the subsequent 70 days after parturition. Eleven of the cows on each level of feeding had their calves weaned at 3 days of age.

For the last 100 days of pregnancy, 3 kg of grain/head/day was an adequate ration for survival, but cows fed this ration lost a mean of 34 kg of body weight over this period compared to 8 kg by cows fed 4 kg of grain/head/day. Only 78% of the cows fed 3 kg grain/day survived to 70 days after parturition, whereas all cows fed 4 kg/day survived. There was a 44% incidence of retained placentae and metritis in cows fed 3 kg grain/day whereas those fed 4 kg/day had only an 18% incidence. Weaning of the calves at 3 days of age reduced the body weight loss of the cows by a mean of 40 kg over the first 70 days of lactation, but the effect was less for cows fed 3 kg grain (27 kg) than for those fed 4 kg grain (53 kg).

Birth weight of the calves was not affected by the level of grain fed to the cows, but calves weaned and given 3 kg of milk/day plus a 50/50 creep of lucerne chaff and sorghum grain grew faster than calves not weaned and given only a sorghum grain creep.

The omission of a source of calcium in the grain ration resulted in no apparent adverse clinical effects in the cows. The Na:K ratio of the saliva indicated that nine of the cows had been depleted of Na.
Fertility in Scottish Blackface ewes as influenced by climatic stress
Authors: Griffiths J. G. , Gunn R. G. , Doney J. M.
Published: March 2009

Sixty-four Blackface ewes in moderately fat body condition, were divided into two groups at 17 days before a chemically synchronized mating. One group was penned indoors (sheltered group), the other group penned outdoors in a climatically exposed position and subjected to artificial wetting for 6 h daily (exposed group). The ewes were fed a maintenance ration of 1350 g pelleted dried grass/head/day indoors and 1500 g outdoors.

The treatment was continued from 17 days premating to 25 ± 3 day post-mating. Immediately after mating 16 ewes from each group were interchanged between the two environments. Matings and returns to service were recorded, and at 25 ± 3 days after first mating the ewes were slaughtered. Counts were made of active corpora lutea and embryos; retarded embryos were distinguished. Fresh weights of the ovaries, pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands were obtained.

Body condition of the ewes within the two environments was maintained. The mean ovulation rates of ewes holding to first service were significantly different (exposed group, 1·52; sheltered group, 1·86). There was no difference between the treatment groups in the number of ewes returning to service, but there was some difference in partial embryo loss, most of which occurred outdoors on or about day 14 or 15 postmating. The results suggest that ovulation rate and possibly early embryo mortality can be influenced by cold stress.
The canopy structure of tall and short sorghum
Authors: Goldsworthy P. R.
Published: March 2009

Changes in the leaf area and light profiles of a tall and a short sorghum are described and the development of leaf area in these and in two other sorghums of intermediate height is examined in relation to the rate of appearance, the size and the length of life of the leaves. The extent to which these changes are related to the seasonal fluctuations in crop growth rate is discussed.
Sulphur in Northern Nigerian Soils: 1. The effects of cultivation and fertilizers on total S and sulphate patterns in soil profiles
Authors: Bromfield A. R.
Published: March 2009

Organic-S and sulphate-S were measured in the Northern Guinea savannah zone down soil profiles under undisturbed natural vegetation, and in land cleared and cropped, with and without fertilizers and farmyard manure. The main soil type was a drained, red to red-brown, sandy clay to clay loam (pH 4·1–5·6 in 0·01 M-Cal2), which strongly sorbed sulphate.

Organic-S was most in the surface layers and decreased with depth. Root remains from the natural fallow vegetation, present up to 9 years after clearance, strongly influenced the distribution of organic-S. The roots disappeared after 19 years, when distribution of organic-S mainly reflected crop-root distribution; amounts of organic-S were related to crop yields. FYM was less effective in maintaining organic-S than fertilizers containing P and N.

Profiles under natural vegetation contained little sulphate-S but it accumulated in the sub-soil after clearance when S was not removed. The sulphate pattern of profiles under unfertilized crops resembled that under natural vegetation. All fertilized sites had a well-defined sulphate sorbtion pattern, the deepest maximum was at 50 cm on a plot where more than 800 kg S/ha had been applied in nineteen annual aounts. Sulphate-S ranged from > 1 ppm, in the deepest samples, to 52 ppm at the absorption maximum.

Almost all the sulphur applied was in the profiles or removed in harvested crops, showing that losses from erosion and leaching were small.
Nitrogen requirement of cereals: 1. Response curves
Authors: Boyd D. A. , Yuen Lowsing T. K. , Needham P.
Published: March 2009

Examples of response surfaces for pairs of nutrients and results of 41 multi-level experiments with N only were used to compare the goodness-of-fit of polynomial, inverse polynomial, exponential and intersecting-straight-lines models.

Whereas no one model fitted best at every site, many results were well represented by two intersecting straight lines and on average, this model had the least residual mean square. Of 17 experiments with spring barley in south western England the few results best represented by smooth curves were from crops much affected by leaf diseases.

Fertilizer response was poorly represented by models without a falling asymptote, like the simple exponential and inverse linear. Study of residuals after fitting the quadratic showed that this widely used model consistently over-estimated both the amount of fertilizer needed for maximum yield and the yield loss when too much fertilizer was given.

When fitted to the mean yields of each nitrogen treatment, most models had residual mean squares equal to or less than the error mean square, repeating a result obtained at Rothamsted as early as 1927. We question the validity of some well-known evidence for block and treatment additivity.

For 12 experiments in 1970, between-site differences in the parameter values of the two straight lines representing grain yield were related to leaf area at ear emergence.
The response of sugar beet to potassium and sodium fertilizers
Authors: Durrant M. J. , Draycott A. P. , Boyd D. A.
Published: March 2009

The results of 216 field experiments with sugar beet (1957–69), testing K and Na fertilizers, were re-examined. There were only small increases in yield with K or Na on peat or peaty mineral soils but on mineral soils, 100 kg K/ha without Na increased sugar yield by about 0·4 t/ha and 100 kg Na/ha without K increased yield by 0·6 t/ha. Although the average response per kg of nutrient was approximately in inverse proportion to their atomic weights, K and Na were only partially interchangeable; their relative effects differed from field to field and year to year.

K seemed most effective in years with more than 80 mm rainfall in March–April but responses were halved when rainfall was 50 mm or less. Sowing date and the interval between giving fertilizer and sowing also influenced response to K; with late-sown crops, K fertilizer given within two weeks of sowing was usually ineffective. Response to Na differed much less with season so Na was on average more effective than K, especially in dry springs. It seems, therefore, that instances of near-perfect substitution between K and Na fertilizers result from chance combinations of weather and crop husbandry.

Since in some experiments yields from a combined dressing exceeded those from either nutrient alone, and as the weather is largely unpredictable, both K and Na fertilizers should be given on all mineral soils, except those very rich in K, to be certain of avoiding yield loss. Texture and exchangeable soil K and Na also affected both the amount and rate of response, but did not much influence optimal fertilizer dressings and so are not very useful for making differential fertilizer recommendations.