bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The nutritive value of fodder cellulose from wheat straw. II. The utilization of cellulose by growing and fattening pigs
Authors: Woodman H. E. , Evans R. E.
Published: March 2009

The fodder cellulose used in this investigation was prepared from wheat straw by the factory process described in the preceding communication. It was dried and milled, so that the resultant material was light and fluffy in character, with the fibres well frayed. This was considered to be important, since the physical state of the cellulose might exert a considerable influence on the ability of the intestinal bacteria to bring about its fermentation and breakdown.

It was shown in the preceding paper that the fodder cellulose, on the basis of dry matter, contains 79·8% of crude fibre, of 85·1% digestibility, and 69·2% of ‘total digestible nutrients’. The present feeding trial has demonstrated that the figure for ‘total digestible nutrients’ obtained from the results of the pig digestion trial is a true measure of the productive value of the fodder cellulose for growth and fattening in bacon pigs, provided that the product is fed in a finely divided condition and in intimate admixture with the meal forming the rest of the ration.
Fertility in southdown sheep
Authors: Nichols J. E.
Published: March 2009

Data from 26 flocks, involving a total of 5014 pure-bred Southdown ewes, were available for analysis and discussion. For ewes of all ages the proportion giving birth to twins is closely associated with the total yield of lambs, and while barrenness and abortion may to a certain extent be due to the same causes, it is those factors which cause abortion which also affect the yield by reducing the number of single births, rather than the number of multiple births.

The low fertility of shearling ewes is due to barrenness through reduced or delayed ovulation.

The writer wishes to express his thanks to the breeders who supplied the records of their flocks and particularly to the Honorary Secretary of the Southdown Sheep Society for his help in the collection of these records.
Quality of potatoes in relation to soil and season; III. Time of lifting and the colour of the cooked potato
Authors: Wager H. G.
Published: March 2009

An account of the agricultural conditions which influence the development of stem-end blackening in cooked potatoes has recently been given (Wager, 1946). The evidence given by Smith, Nash & Dittman (1942) shows that the average air temperature for the three weeks preceding the lifting of the tubers, or the death of the tops, controls the development of stem-end blackening in the tubers and the authors claim that this is an overriding factor. In their experiments, extending over several years, little or no blackening developed when the average air temperature was between 70 and 80° F., when between 60 and 70° F. there was a medium development of blackening and when between 50 and 60° F. there was much blackening.
Factors affecting the loss of yield of sugar beet caused by beet yellows virus. II. Nutrition and variety
Authors: Hull R. , Watson Marion
Published: March 2009

The effect of beet yellows virus on the yield of sugar beet was tested in the presence and absence of various fertilizers and farmyard manure. In general the manorial treatments increased the root and sugar yields of both infected and healthy plants, but the losses caused by infection increased proportionally as the mean yields increased. When the effects of nitrogen, farmyard manure and salt on mean yield were large, the losses caused by infection were increased more than proportionally.

The fertilizers had little effect in varying the symptoms of the disease. There was some indication that the red colour associated with some varieties of sugar beet was intensified by deficiency of phosphate and potash.

The effect of fertilizers on rate of spread of infection was variable, and again appeared to depend largely upon the magnitude of the fertilizer effects on mean yield. Nitrogen, phosphate and potash occasionally had positive effects, and salt had a fairly consistent negative effect. None of the effects appeared to be of any economic importance.
A new procedure for studying the release and fixation of potassium ions in soil
Authors: Matthews B. C. , Beckett P. H. T.
Published: March 2009

The relationship between the exchangeable potassium content of a soil and the activity ratio, aK/√(aCa+Mg), of the solution with which it is in ‘instantaneous equilibrium’ is a characteristic of the soil which is independent of the soil: solution ratio or the total electrolyte concentration (up to O·06 M) of the solution. It is unaffected by the transfer of substantial amounts of potassium ions to or from the fixed state. Hence instantaneous equilibrium curves provide a basis against which to measure the changes in exchangeable potassium content due to fixation and release. This procedure has the important advantages that all measurements are made in the solution phase and that the solutions in contact with the soil approximate to the natural soil solution.

The technique has been employed successfully in studying the fixation and release of potassium by several widely different soils.

The results confirm that fixation or release are determined by the extent to which the soil contains more or less exchangeable potassium than its equilibrium percentage potassium saturation. Seemingly the equilibrium percentage potassium saturation, and hence the equilibrium activity ratio of potassium in the soil solution aK/√(aCa+Mg), is regulated by the amounts or proportions of potassium in the fixed state. The amounts or proportions of potassium in the fixed state may be increased by repeated applications of potassium fertilizers and reduced by continued cropping.
The value of the tenth rib as a sample joint for the estimation of lean, fat and bone in carcasses of East African zebu cattle
Authors: Ledger H. P. , Hutchison H. G.
Published: March 2009

1. Studies of tissues distribution in beef carcasses of East African ‘Boran’ cattle revealed very high correlations between the separable tissue analysis of the full tenth rib sample joint and of the full side.

2. A comparative study of tenth rib sample joints, from twelve steers and five cows cut at various positions along the length of the rib showed that the full rib sample gave a higher correlation (r = 0·948), with the full side in respect of all tissues except the subcutaneous fat, than any other sample joint. The subcutaneous fat of the whole side could not be predicted with reliability by the use of any rib sample, the highest correlation (r = 0·558) existing between the half-rib sample and the full side.

3. From detailed carcass studies of thirty-two steers and eight cows, including the twelve steers and five cows mentioned above, prediction equations are presented for estimating the percentages of lean, total fat, and butchers' bone in whole carcasses from single complete tenth rib samples. Standard deviations being 1·53% for lean, 1·34% for total fat in steers, 1·13% for total fat in cows and 0·88% for butchers' bone.

4. Where X1, X2 and X3 are respectively the percentages of lean, total fat and bone in the sample joint the prediction equations recommended are as follows:

For the prediction of lean

(i) In carcasses of either sex.

(f) Percentage of lean in the carcass = 0·431X1 + 0·475X3 + 33·58 (subject to a standard deviation of 1·53%).

For the prediction of total fat

(i) In steer carcasses.

(d) Percentage total fat in carcass = 0·664X2 − 0·78 (subject to a standard deviation of 1·34%).

(ii) In cow carcasses.

(e) Percentage of total fat in carcass = 0·641X2 + 0·23 (subject to a standard deviation of 1·13%).

For the prediction of bone

(i) 100 −(equation (f) +equation (d) or (e)).

5. A practical test of the equations referred to in the text is given in Table 4.
Studies on the muscles of meat animals. II. Differences in the ultimate pH and pigmentation of longissimus dorsi muscles from two breeds of pigs
Authors: Lawrie R. A. , Gatherum D. P.
Published: March 2009

1. Longissimus dorsi muscles from twenty Landrace and twenty Large White pigs of accurately known history, which had been reared under identical conditions at a Progeny Testing Station, and killed at similar weights, were sampled for ultimate pH and colour at the levels of the 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th and 15th thoracic, and of the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 6th lumbar, vertebrae.

2. The mean ultimate pH at all ten locations in Landrace muscles was invariably lower than at corresponding locations in Large White muscles, the difference being minimal at the level of the 15th thoracic vertebra, but being highly significant overall.

3. The scatter of ultimate pH values was markedly different between the breeds at the levels of the 5th and 9th thoracic, and of the 1st and 6th lumbar, vertebrae.

4. The mean colour at all locations, except 1st and 5th lumbar vertebrae, was higher in Large White muscles than at corresponding locations in Landrace muscles: the difference was especially marked at the level of the 5th thoracic vertebra.

5. Only in longissimus dorsi muscles from Landrace pigs were there significant correlations between ultimate pH and colour.
Bulk in animal feeding
Authors: Procter Frank , Wright Norman Charles
Published: March 2009

1. As a result of soaking in water at body temperature (38° C), foods show variations in swelling ranging from approximately 10 per cent. to 260 per cent.

2. The volumes of equal weights of different foods after soaking also vary within wide limits. The percentages of moisture in the soaked foods show corresponding variations, being in some cases as high as those found in roots or green fodder.

3. These facts have led the authors to put forward a new conception of “bulk” in assessing the value of a ration.

4. Feeding experiments have been carried out to determine how far this factor of bulk is applicable in practice.

5. In the case of pigs of 40 to 80 lb. live weight, the bulk occupied by the foods did affect the quantity of food taken.

6. With calves, the swelling capacity of the concentrated food did not yield any definite results so far as food consumption was concerned.
The influence of the age of the cow on the yield and quality of the milk
Authors: White Margaret K. , Drakeley T. J.
Published: March 2009

In a former communication (1) a study has been made of the influence of the stage of lactation on the yield and quality of the milk, and in the following paper a similar investigation has been made of the influence of the age of the cow on the same factors.

Mackintosh (2) finds a gradual increase in yield up to the 4th or 5th lactation period, and a decrease after the 7th or 8th; thus a heifer calving at 2¾ to 3 years gives 60–70 per cent. of the amount it will produce as a mature cow; after the second calf it gives 80 per cent. and after the third 90 per cent. Tocher's results (3) show an increase from 85 per cent, of the maximum yield at 3 years to a maximum at 7½ years, and a subsequent fall to 90 per cent. at 12 years of age.
Experiments in the cultivation of the sugar beet crop in the West Midlands during 1927
Authors: Davies W. Morley
Published: March 2009

Although the experiment described in this paper was undertaken in the first instance to obtain information on local conditions, the results are of general interest as an experiment in the effects of cultivation on the yield and returns of the sugar beet crop. The objects of the experiment were:

(a) To make a comparison of the effect on yield of growing the crop on the ridge with growing on the flat.

(b) To obtain data on the effect of spacing on the yield.

(c) To endeavour to give a financial expression to the results.
Some preliminary experiments on the value of small quantities of whole cows' milk when fed to pigs
Authors: Blissett A. H. , Golding J.
Published: March 2009

The results of four experiments are described in which twenty-five pigs were fed on a ration containing half a pint of milk. Eighteen were fed on control rations, generally considered to be adequate, and of which in one series dried separated milk was a constitutent.

In every case the fresh milk produced an increase in live weight over the controls varying from 8 to 10 per cent. Less dry matter per lb. increase in live weight was consumed by the experimental pigs than by the controls.

The returns for half a pint of milk fed per pig daily expressed as pounds live weight gain per gallon of milk fed, were as follows:

The higher values in Exps. 2 and 4 may have been due to the fact that the pigs were individually fed but differed in that the milk was mixed with the food in Exp. 2 and fed separately in Exp. 4.
The proteins of different types of peat soils
Authors: Davies W. L.
Published: March 2009

The study has comprised a detailed analysis of twelve samples of soil, ten of which were samples of typical peat soils, the other two being samples of normal soils. The degree of humification of the organic matter of the samples varied, that in the wet peats being high and low in the dry peats.

Extracts of the soil were obtained by the use of boiling hydrogen peroxide, 20 per cent, hydrochloric acid and 2·5 per cent, caustic potash.

Hydrogen peroxide extracted roughly 70–80 per cent, of the soil nitrogen, 60–70 per cent, of this soluble nitrogen appearing as ammonia through the oxidising effects of the reagent. The nitrogen compounds of wet peats were more easily oxidisable to ammonia.
Studies in soil cultivation: IV. A new form of traction dynamometer
Authors: Haines W. B. , Keen B. A.
Published: March 2009

A new and improved type of dynamometer is described which by a simple interchange of parts can be used with the same percentage accuracy for all types of work from the lightest to the heaviest.

The instrument consists of (a) an hydraulic link weighing 16 1b. and placed in the hitch, (b) a recording mechanism weighing 15 lb. carried on any convenient part of the implement, and (c) a control box weighing 4 lb. carried by the operator. When packed in a stout box for transit and with all accessories the total weight is less than 100 lb. The instrument is of robust construction and has a minimum number of moving parts. Adjustments for stylus pressure, etc., are provided, but the necessity for using them hardly ever arises.

The instrument operates by recording the amount of movement in a Bourdon tube filled with oil and connected by narrow bore copper tubing to the oil in the hydraulic link.
Influence of incubation temperature on the hatchability of eggs, post-natal growth and survival of turkeys
Authors: Romanoff Alexis L.
Published: March 2009

The exposure of turkey eggs during the latter part of incubation, to temperatures (uniform around the egg) ranging from 30–5 to 41–5° C, in intervals of one degree, showed that:

1. The hatchability was best at temperatures of from 36 to 38° C.; then it declined with a greater slope towards high than towards low temperature.

(2) The time of hatching was progressively delayed, from 1 to 3 days, towards high and low temperatures.

(3) The weight of birds at hatching from eggs exposed to various temperatures was fairly uniform.
The fractionation of the organic matter, including nitrogen, of certain soils and its relation to their quality
Authors: Ashworth M. R. F.
Published: March 2009

1. The proximate analysis of a number of widely differing soil profiles has been carried out, employing a slight modification of the scheme used by Waksman and Shewan. This included a nitrogen fractionation with water and acid, similar to that of Waksman and of Shewan. It was supplemented by ammonia and nitrate estimations. The data are expressed on the basis of total organic matter.

2. The soils ranged in quality from peat and forest soils to grassland profiles. This gradation of quality was brought out by many of the figures of the proximate analysis. The better quality soils are associated with:

(a) a lower average content of fats and waxes, hemicelluloses and cellulose;

(b) a rapid decrease in cellulose with increasing depth;

(c) higher total nitrogen and various fractions, including higher ammonia and nitrate and a higher ratio of nitrate to ammonia;
The Influence of Time of Cutting on the Growth, Yield and Composition of Tropical Fodder Grasses I. Elephant Grass (Pennisetum Purpurevm).(With Four Text-figures.)
Authors: Paterson D. D.
Published: March 2009

VIII. SUMMARY

In the introduction the crying need for research into animal nutrition under tropical conditions is emphasised. In Trinidad the stock are normally fed on mixed natural herbage grazed or cut from waste areas or from cultivated perennial grass crops. This system of rationing is a common one in many insular tropical climates.

The experiment was designed to test the effect of stage of cutting on the yield and composition of Elephant Grass (Pennisetum purpureum), a perennial fodder grass widely cultivated in Trinidad to-day. Three times of cutting were chosen, namely series A—cut every four weeks, series B— cut every eight weeks, and series C— cut every twelve weeks.
The physical relationships of the abdominal organs in the pregnant ewe
Authors: Forbes J. M.
Published: March 2009

Five non-pregnant ewes and seventeen ewes at various stages of pregnancy were fed on a medium quality hay for several weeks before being slaughtered and frozen. Each ewe was sawn into 5 cm cross-sections.

The sections were photographed. The uterus was extracted from the sections and its volume measured. Volumes of reticulo-rumen contents, intestinal contents and abdominal fat were estimated from the photographs.

Models of the uterus and rumen were constructed and examples of these and of the photographs are shown.

The volume of the uterus increased steadily as pregnancy progressed, but rumen volume was not reciprocally depressed until the last 5 weeks of pregnancy. Volume of digesta was inversely related to volume of incompressible abdominal content (uterus and fat). Abdominal fat was a particularly important factor in the depression of rumen capacity in pregnancy when there was great competition for space in the abdomen.
Studies in milk secretion based on the variations and yields of milk and butter fat produced at morning and evening milkings
Authors: Bartlett S.
Published: March 2009

1. Material is presented which shows month by month the lactation yields of cows in respect of milk and fat. Morning and evening yields are treated separately and differences in relative proportions found.

2. Smaller proportions of milk and of fat at the morning milkings are yielded in early lactation by all cows, but this point is most pronounced in heifers and also in heavy yielding cows with relatively small udders. It is suggested that with such animals reabsorption of milk occurs during a long night interval.

3. Seasonal variations in yield of milk and fat are shown. It is found that the morning milking does not respond as much as the evening milking to the stimulus to secretion which functions during May and June.

4. The quality of milk at different seasons of the year is discussed.
The “inoculation” of lucerne (Medicago sativa, L.) in Great Britain
Authors: Thornton H. G.
Published: March 2009

1. The paper discusses experiments laid down at 39 centres in Great Britain to test the value of seed inoculation for lucerne.

2. The seed was inoculated by treating it with a suspension of the nodule bacteria in skim milk containing 0·1 per cent, calcium di-acid phosphate, the method developed by Thornton and Gangulee.

3. In the west and north of England the treatment greatly benefited the lucerne and often enabled a crop to be obtained where the untreated lucerne failed. At 12 centres in this area at which the crop was weighed, inoculation increased the yield by over 20 per cent, in all cases save one, where spread of the bacteria vitiated the result.

4. The improvement sometimes showed itself as an increased yield and sometimes as an increase in the nitrogen content of the hay. In most cases both these effects were produced.

5. In the midland and south central counties inoculation usually produced a temporary improvement, the untreated plant eventually catching up with the inoculated. The effect of inoculation is very much greater where the young lucerne has to compete with a cover crop. Weight results from 8 centres in this area showed increases from inoculation of over 20 per cent, in 4 cases, smaller but significant improve-ment in yield or nitrogen contentin 3 cases, and no significant effect in one case.

6. In East Anglia and Kent untreated lucerne usually develops plenty of nodules. An exceptional condition occurred in a trial at Tunstall Heath, Suffolk, on sour light land, where liming and inoculation produced a fair plant although the uninoculated lucerne developed no nodules and failed.

7. There is evidence that, when the seed is inoculated, the chances of success with lucerne are on the whole as good in the west and north of England as they are in the south-east.

8. In a number of trials sown in 1926 better results were obtained by sowing the seed in a light cover crop in spring than by sowing in June or July.
Some observations on the nitrogenous manuring of grassland
Authors: Gardner H. W. , Smith J. Hunter , Reid J. W. , Williams H. R.
Published: March 2009

An account is given of observations made during the first two years' treatment of grass according to the “New System of Grassland Management,” i.e. periodic dressings of nitrogenous manure followed by rotational grazing.

The grazing provided by the nitrogen and no-nitrogen plots in the two years is given, measured in cow-day equivalents.

A method of sampling the plots with a view to determining the total weight of herbage produced and its chemical and botanical composition is described.

Botanical and chemical results obtained by this method are given and discussed.

The percentage of clover on the nitrogen plots is about one-quarter of that on the control plots.

The dry matter of the herbage on the nitrogen plots has, on the average, contained 17·7 per cent, crude protein: that on the no-nitrogen plots 15·5 per cent. The average age of the grass when sampled was 35 days.
Induced bolting and anthesis in sugar beet and the effect of selection of physiological types
Authors: Bell G. D. H.
Published: March 2009

1. The effect of low-temperature and continuous-light treatment of seedlings of certain sugar beet strains in the isolation of distinct physiological types is described. The progenies of individual plants and bulk samples of different anthesis dates show some difference in the proportions of early and late plants, when these progenies are similarly exposed to low temperatures and continuous light in the seedling.

2. Different treatments of progenies in relation to light treatment in the seedling stage result in distinct behaviour with regard to anthesis date and the number of plants reaching the stage of anthesis.

3. The comparative resistance to bolting from a field sowing of seed obtained from plants which ripened seed after continuous light treatment of the seedlings is noted. This was so in spite of the fact that only 66% of the plants had reached anthesis as a result of the treatment, and the seed was obtained from the most rapidly bolting plants.

4. Light and low temperature exposure of seedlings is effective in two different strains for isolating bolting-resistant types as measured directly from the seed of these bolting-resistant plants and selected progenies from these plants. Differences in the field germination and establishment from very early sowings were discernible in the progenies.
Recent developments in the design of field experiments: III. Fractional replication
Authors: Finney D. J.
Published: March 2009

When a factorial experiment involves many factors each of which is tested at two levels, economy of space and material may be effected by using only a fraction of a complete replicate of all possible combinations of levels of the factors. The consequence is that each main effect and each interaction has one or more aliases, and the experiment cannot distinguish which member of a set of aliases is responsible for an observed difference in yields. For less than five factors, this feature prevents fractional replicate designs from being much use; for five or more factors, the fraction can be so chosen that main effects and two-factor interactions have only higher order interactions as their aliases, and the possibility that these are important may often be ignored. Within the fraction of a replicate chosen for an experiment, confounding of interactions may be introduced in order to reduce the block size.

Designs likely to be useful in field experiments are those for six factors in four blocks of eight, for seven factors in eight blocks of eight, and for eight factors in eight blocks of sixteen or in sixteen blocks of eight; in the first of these a two-factor interaction is amongst those confounded, but elsewhere all main effects and two-factor interactions are unconfounded. The method of construction of the blocks, for these designs and those involving more factors, has been described, and an example of the statistical analysis of experimental results (which presents no special difficulties) has been given.
Reaction of barley varieties to nitrogen fertilizer
Authors: Dubetz S. , Wells S. A.
Published: March 2009

Four barley varieties were grown in a greenhouse with varying levels of nitrogen fertilizer in two experiments. One experiment was sown in late September and received supplementary light, the other in March without supplementary light.

Varietal responses to nitrogen were essentially the same in both experiments. At low levels, differences in yield and protein content between varieties were small and inconsistent; at high levels, differences were pronounced and consistent. Betzes and Hannchen were highest in yield and lowest in protein, Palliser was intermediate in both, and Compana was lowest in yield and highest in protein. The results correspond with the known behaviourof these varieties under field conditions in Canada, except that Betzes yields more than Hannchen.

We suggest that relative potential yields of genotypes can be estimated under similarly controlled conditions.
The effect of seed rate and growing season on four oat cultivars: II. Culm morphology and panicle conformation
Authors: Jones I. T. , Hayes J. D.
Published: March 2009

The effects of low and high seed rates on height, culm and panicle morphology of four oat cultivars grown in field trials in two growing seasons were investigated. Significant differences were detected between cultivars in the number of extended culm internodes, panicle whorls initiated, total height, length of panicle and individual internodes. Differences in seed rate had no effect on the number of culm internodes, but high seed rate significantly reduced the whorl number in the panicle, total plant height, length of panicle and the three upper internodes. The fourth internode remained unaffected, but the lowermost internode showed a relative length increase at high seed rate. The interaction of cultivar x seed rate was significant for total height, and for the length of the central internodes, but the length of the panicle was similarly affected in all cultivars.

Panicle conformation was markedly affected by seed rate; high population density caused a reduction in number of grain-bearing whorls, and reduced the number of spikelets and total grain weight per whorl, and 1000 grain weight particularly in the lowermost whorls. The percentage of husk in the grain was increased slightly at high seed rate. The effect of seed rate on culm and panicle morphology is discussed in relation to the development of stiffer-strawed oats.
The value of dried sugar-beet pulp and molasses-sugar beet pulp in the nutrition of swine
Authors: Woodman H. E. , Duckham A. N. , French M. H.
Published: March 2009

The results of an investigation into the utilisation of sugar-beet pulp by ruminant animals were brought forward in a recent publication (I). It was demonstrated that sugar-beet pulp is highly digestible when consumed by ruminants. In respect of the digestibility of its N-free extractives and total organic matter, it compares very satisfactorily with maize meal. The process of drying the wet beet pulp in the factory does not depress its digestibility. Further, from the standpoint of digestibility, it is immaterial whether sugar-beet pulp is included in the rations of ruminants in the dry or the soaked condition. When, however, liberal allowances of the dried product are being fed to animals, it is desirable that the food should be well softened in water before feeding. This procedure ensures a higher availability of the digestible nutrients for productive purposes in the animal and also averts risk of choking trouble which sometimes arises, especially with sheep and lambs, during consumption of the dried beet pulp.
The effect of CCC and nitrogen on the growth and yield of the second early potato variety Craig's Royal
Authors: Gunasena H. P. M. , Harris P. M.
Published: March 2009

The experiment described here is the second of a series of experiments investigating the effect of the time of application of certain plant nutrients on the growth of the potato crop. In this experiment all combinations of three rates of nitrogen (0, 0·75 and 1·50 cwts nitrogen per acre), two times of application (at planting and at the time of tuber initiation) and two rates of application of CCC (0 and 4 lb/acre applied twice, shortly after emergence) were tested and studied by the technique of growth analysis.

There was a linear relationship between leaf area duration (D)and tuber dry matter yield, D accounting for 95 % of the variation in the latter. The maximum amount of nitrogen accumulated in the leaves (Nmax) was linearly related to D, and accounted for 86 % of the variation in D. This relationship was improved if separate regressions were calculated according to whether CCC had been applied or not. Calculated in this way, the regressions indicated that more nitrogen was required for a given value of D when plants were treated with CCC.

Delaying the application of nitrogen resulted in a considerable improvement in the recovery of fertilizer nitrogen (ammonium nitrate). A heavy dressing of nitrogen at the time of planting did not enable the crop to take up sufficient nitrogen for maximum yield. Because of these factors, delaying the application of nitrogen significantly increased tuber yield at both rates of nitrogen tested.

Increasing the rate of nitrogen and delaying its application tended to increase the proportion of stem in the total dry matter; CCC had the opposite tendency. CCC, however, reduced leaf area and the mean effect of CCC was to reduce tuber yields. While there wore no significant interactions between CCC and nitrogen treatments on final tuber yield, it was observed that CCC slightly increased yield when the highest rate of nitrogen was applied late. Ways are suggested in which CCC may be more effectively used.
Time lapse photographic studies of livestock behaviour outdoors on the College Farm, Aberystwyth
Authors: Rutter N.
Published: March 2009

A Bolex S1 ciné camera, Kodachrome II colour reversal 8 mm film and a Specto analysis projector provided acceptable records of heifer behaviour from dawn to dusk throughout the year. Films are available on application.

Two groups of heifers showed logical and persistent behavioural responses to clement and inclement weather. Their daily behavioural routine was a response to, and in turn was modified by, the weather. Their group behaviour was readily recorded by time-lapse photography but an easy study of the more individual reactions of sheep was not possible from time-lapse film due to problems of identification and flock turbulence.

Heifers responded to bright sunshine predictably but differently in summer and winter, a definite response to a change in the direction of the incident wind being recorded in warm summer sunshine. A hitherto unrecorded reaction to unusually cold, strong, dry wind, viz. vigorous, non-stop grazing in the absence of effective upwind obstructions— requires verification.

Shelter usage was largely related to the incidence of wind-driven rain and, on the area of study, the slope of rainfall and the direction and strength of the wind which brought heavy rain were the main factors affecting sheltering activity. This unfortunately meant that shelter usage was synonymous with the fouling and poaching of sheltered ground.
Seasonal and management effects on the composition and availability of herbage, steer diet and live-weight gains in a Themeda triandra grassland in Kenya. II. Results of herbage studies, diet selected and live-weight gains
Authors: Mckay A. D.
Published: March 2009

The environment, design and methods of this 2-year Kedong grazing trial in the Rift Valley of Kenya were described in Part I.

Crude protein of grasses varied seasonally, usually between 3 and 6 %, while most shrubs and herbs, leguminous and non-leguminous, were in the 10–20 % range, although contributing only about 3 % by weight of the total sward, excluding large bushes and trees. Steers selected herbage of 2–3 % units higher C. P., more Themeda leaf and more herbs than the sward average. Treatment effects on sward and diet C. P., and their relationships, were generally small and inconsistent. Higher C. P. in post-burning ro-growth declined to average levels after 2–3 months, except when grazed at one steer to 4–4 acres, rotational (i.e. 1–5 acres available). At this pressure available herbage fell below 1000 lb D.M./acre (1120 kg/ha). In all other treatments 2500–4500 lb D.M./acre wore available at all times. Estimated herbage production varied from almost nil to 320 lb D. M./acre/month. Burning removed 3000 lb D.M./acre. Relationships between herbage C. P., diet c. p. (oesophageal fistula samples) and faeces N were determined.
Wool growth cycles in Soay sheep
Authors: Ryder M. L.
Published: March 2009

The wool growth cycle in six rams and eight ewes was studied by taking monthly coat and skin samples for 3 years from each. Coat length was measured, and the percentage of inactive follicles was noted as well as the percentage of medullated fibres.

In the spring moult ‘mainland’ sheep (stock removed from St Kilda 60 years ago) cast less completely than ‘St Kilda sheep’ (Soays removed more recently from St Kilda). Mainland rams cast less than the ewes, but St Kilda rams began casting earlier, and completed casting more quickly than the ewes. Despite differences between years in the rate of casting, similarities in the pattern of casting were observed between years in the same animal, and between parent and offspring.

This apparent annual cycle was confirmed by graphs of follicle inactivity which showed that most inactivity occurred from September to March in the rams, and from October to April in the ewes. It was possible to fit sin and cos waves of 12-month duration to the graphs and further analysis revealed superimposed a 6-month cycle in one group, and a 4-month cycle in another group, which were associated with subsidiary peaks of inactivity in the summer. There were suggestions of a cycle about 2 months in length throughout the year, and sin waves of this duration could be fitted to the data from one of the groups of ewes. Possible control mechanisms for the annual and shorter cycles are discussed.

Peaks of follicle inactivity were frequently followed by troughs in coat length which suggested actual loss of the longest fibres.

Medullation was absent or minimal from December to March, and there were two peaks during the period of maximum medullation, that in the spring being greater than the one in the autumn.
The relationship between the digestibility of a sward and the herbage consumption of grazing calves
Authors: Hodgson J.
Published: March 2009

Nitro-chalk was applied to S.23 ryegrass swards, at approximately monthly intervals, at two contrasting levels in 1961 and three levels in 1962. Steer calves, 3–6 months old, grazed in rotation round a series of four paddocks on each treatment. Paddocks were trimmed and fertilizer applied after each grazing. The herbage intakes of the calves were determined on three occasions in 1961 and four occasions in 1962. Faecal output was estimated by chromic oxide dilution. In vitro digestibility determinations were carried out on samples of herbage clipped from the swards.

There was a close linear relationship between the digestibility of the herbage and the amount eaten, over the full range of digestibility encountered (68–82%). Regression equations calculated within seasons and fertilizer levels, and within years, did not differ significantly. The regressions of faecal output on herbage digestibility were not significantly different from zero.

The observed relationship between herbage digestibility and herbage intake may reflect (a) the greater sensitivity of young ruminants than adult stock to changes in the digestibility of the diet, and (b) the reduced importance of the chemostatic control of food intake, except at very high levels of digestibility, in young rapidly growing animals.
Results of an experiment at Rothamsted testing farmyard manure and N, P and K fertilizers on five arable crops and permanent grass III. Yields 1961–1965
Authors: Widdowson F. V. , Penny A.
Published: March 2009

An experiment begun in 1956 and using a five-course rotation of barley, grass-clover ley, potatoes, wheat and kale and a block of permanent grass was continued.

N decreased yields of the rotation ley, slightly increased yields of potatoes (after the ley), but greatly increased yields of wheat, barley and kale and permanent grass. P increased the yields of all arable crops, of kale dramatically, but not of permanent grass. K greatly increased yields of wheat and the rotation ley and even more of potatoes, but it increased yields of barley, kale and permanent grass little.

F.Y.M. increased the yields of all crops; potatoes responded most. Applying fertilizers with the F.Y.M. diminished its effects, but except for wheat and barley grain a combination of the two produced the largest yields.

Mean yields from all combinations of N, P and K were a little smaller between 1961 and 1965 than between 1956 and 1960, and the yields were maintained best by applying F.Y.M. and fertilizers together. Responses to N and to K were similar in both rotations, but responses to P became larger with time.
Nutritive value of pasture: I. Seasonal variations in the productivity, botanical and chemical composition, and nutritive value of medium pasturage on a light sandy soil
Authors: Woodman Herbert Ernest , Blunt Denzil Layton , Stewart James
Published: March 2009

An account has been given of an investigation into the seasonal changes in the productivity, botanical and chemical composition, and nutritive value of pasture grass, the work constituting the initial stage of a comprehensive study of the nutritive properties of different types of pasture. The pasture on which the work was carried out was situated on a light sandy soil of low water-retaining capacity; the pasturage was of medium quality.

Grazing was imitated by the daily use of a motor-mowing machine, the system of cutting being such as to ensure the whole plot being cut over once per week. The season was divided into ten periods, each period corresponding with the duration of a digestion trial carried out on two wether sheep. The main feature of the weather conditions during the season was the extremely low rainfall during the period from early June to mid-July.

The pasture plot results were compared with corresponding results obtained from contiguous plots which were allowed to grow for hay, and from which, after removal of hay, several successive aftermath cuts were taken. The main findings of the investigation are summarised below:

Seasonal changes in the botanical composition of the herbage. Although precise and systematic botanical analyses of the herbage of the pasture were not carried out, yet careful surveys made at an early and a late date in the season, together with general observations made during the whole course of the experiment, enabled interesting conclusions to be drawn in respect of the seasonal activity and persistency of the different species of grasses in the sward. During the spring season,Bromus mollis, Lolium perenne, Poa annuaandPoa trivialisaccounted for almost 80 per cent, of the herbage.
Observations onB. radigicola, Beijk
Authors: Gibson T.
Published: March 2009

1. Cultures ofB. radicicoladerived from eight different host plants have been studied and a description is given of the morphology and reproductive processes of the organisms.

2. The growth forms described include rods, coccoids, branched forms, gonidangia, gonidia and dwarfed growth, and microcysts.

3. The different cell types represent normal stages in the development of the organisms.

4. The reproductive processes described are fission, budding, liberation of gonidia, formation of regenerative bodies, and germination.

5. The formation of symplasm and the regeneration of cells is discussed.
The solubility of some likely spray substances in solvents containing soap. The preparation of spraying emulsions
Authors: Woodman R. M.
Published: March 2009

A lighting (paraffin) oil bought casually, such as is often used in paraffin emulsions for spraying, has been subjected to fractional distillation, and shown to be unsuitable as a spraying oil.

Approximate solubilities at room temperature of various “oils” in solvents such as soap solutions with and without the addition of phenols, hydrogenated phenols and pyridine, have been determined. Spray fluids containing paraffin oil, benzene, and aniline in solution are economically possible, but coal tar fractions such as anthracene and creosote oils, will, owing to lack of solubility, have to be applied to plants as emulsions. Cresylic acid is the best aid to solution of paraffin oil, but is probably more injurious to foliage than the dearer, hydrogenated phenol, hexalin.

Experiments have been made on the influence of temperature when using soap (sodium oleate) and gelatine as emulsifiers; rise in temperature is found to facilitate the formation of emulsions in soap solutions, but to have a much more complex effect when gelatine is the emulsifier. A possible explanation of these facts is given.
The composition of milk. Part II: Variation in the percentage of mineral constituents in cow’s milk, and their relationship with the solids not fat and protein content
Authors: Cranfield H. T. , Griffiths D. G. , Ling E. R.
Published: March 2009

1. 670 samples of the mixed milk from 15 herds were analysed, and the average percentages of total ash, soluble ash, insoluble ash, lime and phosphoric acid are given.

2. Tables showing frequency distributions are also given, with the standard deviation, mean and probable error of mean for each constituent determined.

3. Various correlations of these constituents with solids not fat and protein have been prepared, and these correlations are illustrated by graphs.

It is observed that the total ash falls with the solids not fat until low values of solids not fat are reached, when the ash content appears to rise. This variation is confirmed by a curve illustrating the variation in ash content of samples of individual cow’s milk. Soluble ash rises as the solids not fat falls, but the insoluble ash shows a reverse variation. Lime and phosphoric acid both fall with the solids not fat.
Factors affecting the iron and manganese content of plants with special reference to herbage causing “Pining” and “Bush-sickness.”
Authors: Godden W. , Grimmett R. E. R.
Published: March 2009

In the account of “Pining” in sheep given by McGowan(1) there are so many points of similarity, both in the symptoms and in the general environmental conditions under which the disease is developed, with the disease known in New Zealand as “Bush-sickness,” as to suggest that these two diseases may be of a similar nature.
A Note on the Influence of Rainfall on the Yield of Cereals in Relation to Manurial Treatment.
Authors: Cochran W. G.
Published: March 2009

The study of the effect of rainfall on the yields of wheat from the continuous experiments on Broadbalk, Rothamsted, gave clear evidence of a close relation between the response in yield to rainfall and the manurial treatment of the soil. In later investigations of a similar nature on barley at Rothamsted and on wheat and barley at Woburn, however, the evidence did not point to a significant effect of rainfall on yields, and on this account little can be said with confidence from these investigations. The present note shows that the relation between seasonal variations in yield and manurial treatment is just as clear at Woburn as on Broadbalk, the difference between the two centres being that similar studies on rainfall effects have had more definite and successful results on Broadbalk. At Woburn, indeed, little progress has been made towards elucidating the particular weather factors whose quantitative influence is important.
The influence of various soil moisture-régimes on the yield and quality of cotton in an arid zone
Authors: Amir J. , Bielorai H.
Published: March 2009

The results of three cotton irrigation experiments in the western Negev region indicate that by increasing the intervals between irrigations and by applying the first irrigation at the beginning of flowering, maximum yields of 1700–2100 kg/ha can be obtained with three irrigations. In all treatments except the one with four irrigations, about 0·31 kg of lint was produced for each 1 m3 of irrigation water. In the three driest treatments, where cotton suffered from moisture stress during various periods of growth, no differences in lint quality could be detected in comparison with wetter treatments. As long as there were clear drought symptoms, such as in the three driest treatments, additional irrigation increased the number of bolls/plant, while the average boll weight remained unaffected. Additional irrigation in treatments where there were no clear water stress symptoms did not increase the number of bolls/plant, but increased the average boll weight.
Soils in relation to marsh spot of pea seed
Authors: Furneaux Basil S. , Glasscock H. H.
Published: March 2009

1. An account is given of Marsh Spot in the seeds of the green pea (Pisum sativum L.); its economic importance and its effect on the plant, including the germination of the seed, are discussed.

2. Hypotheses advanced by seedsmen and growers to account for the presence of Marsh Spot are discussed.

3. The soils of 165 fields upon which green peas were grown under contract for seed in east Kent during 1933 and 1934, were surveyed in detail and are classified under the American system. A brief description of each is given.

4. The occurrence of Marsh Spot is correlated with the presence of a water table in the soil. A high percentage of Marsh Spot was encountered only in crops grown on fields with a water table within 52 in. of the surface. Thus, in the presence of a water table, the intensity of Marsh Spot reached a maximum of 100 per cent. of the seeds of a sample affected, whereas in the absence of a water table the maximum was only 3 per cent.
Studies on the winter hardiness of clover. I. Effect of cutting on the carbohydrate reserves in red clover roots
Authors: Virtanen Artturi I. , Nurmia Manne
Published: March 2009

The effect of different cutting practices on the carbohydrate root reserves of Finnish red clover was studied. Cutting causes a rapid decrease in the insoluble sugars. The minimum is reached in about 12–15 days, independently of the time of cutting. However, the initial carbohydrate level is reached much more quickly in autumn than in June-July. The carbohydrate content of the roots in autumn is higher the later the second cut.

Cutting does not significantly affect the content of sucrose and other soluble sugars, the values for which are very low during June-August, but rise towards autumn.