bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Studies of the Changes occurring in Heated Soils
Authors: Pickering Spencer Umfreville
Published: March 2009

The water extracts obtainable from soils are of constant composition as regards organic matter when the time allowed for the extraction varies from 20 to 320 minutes, the temperature from 7° to 23°, and the proportions from 5 to 10 of soil to 100 of water. The inorganic matter is not affected by the time, but is by the temperature and proportions.

The increase in soluble matter produced by heating a soil, and the accompanying toxic qualities towards the germination of seeds in it, is gradually reduced by exposing these soils in a moist condition to the air, even under aseptic conditions, but is not reduced, when the soils are kept moist in the absence of air. The destruction of the toxic substance is probably, therefore, due to oxidation.

Unheated soils, or soils heated only to a low temperature, exhibit on keeping an increase in soluble matter; this occurs whether air is admitted or not, and this change, therefore, is probably not an oxidation process: the substance formed, moreover, in such cases appears to have little or no toxic action on germination. This increase of soluble matter, due to the formation of a non-toxic substance, is preceded by a preliminary diminution of soluble matter, precisely similar to the diminution of toxic matter occurring continuously in the more highly heated soils: such toxic matter, therefore, appears to be present in all soils, whether heated or not, though, in the latter case, it is present in such small quantities that it soon becomes completely oxidised.

Air-dried soils, heated and unheated, when kept for some months show an appreciable reduction in soluble constituents, and also in toxic properties (where such properties were originally present), closely similar to the reduction exhibited by moist soils kept in air for about ten days.
The Improvement of English Wheat
Authors: Humphries A. E. , Biffen R. H.
Published: March 2009

The following résumé of the work so far published by the Home-grown Wheat Committee of the National Association of British and Irish Millers is based upon a paper presented by one of us to the International Convention of Millers which met in Paris during October, 1905. This work being well past the tentative and preliminary stages it proved possible to make a broad survey of it and to piece together isolated special portions which have been published from time to time.
The Hybridisation of Cereals
Authors: Wilson John H.
Published: March 2009

The purpose of the present paper is to give some account of experiments with oats, wheats, and barleys, carried out personally at St Andrews during the past five years.
On The Evolution of Gas During Churning
Authors: Watt R. D.
Published: March 2009

It is well known that at the beginning of the churning process a considerable volume of gas is evolved, necessitating some method of ventilation of the churn. In old-fashioned churns the gas was allowed to escape by simply withdrawing the cork or plug, while all modern churns have a special arrangement for the purpose. The gas set free has been stated to be carbon-dioxide, but hitherto no definite proof of its source or estimation of its amount has been recorded. It cannot very well be that the gas is formed by any chemical reaction at the time the churning process is going on. It seems more probable that it is produced by bacterial action during the ripening of the cream, held in a state of super-saturation by the liquid and released by the shaking in the churn in the presence of air. This view would account for the fact that it is only during the first hundred or so revolutions of the churn that any quantity of gas is evolved. It was with the object of demonstrating the correctness or otherwise of this latter theory that the following experiments were carried out.
The Interpretation of Experimental Results
Authors: Wood T. B. , Stratton F. J. M.
Published: March 2009

Attention is drawn to the need for caution in interpreting experimental results.

Frequency curves are discussed, chiefly from the point of view of their bearing on the legitimacy of averaging results.

The method of calculating probable error is described and its meaning explained.

The application of probable error methods to questions of sampling for analysis, to field experiments and to feeding experiments, are illustrated by instances.

The probable error of one animal on a fattening ration is found to be about 14 per cent, of the live-weight increase produced, from which it is calculated that to obtain a precision of 10 per cent, in an ordinary feeding experiment 29 animals must be fed on each ration.

The probable error of field experiments is investigated by two independent methods, and found to be about 5 per cent, of the crop. This figure is shown to be independent of the size of the plot employed, provided this is acre or larger. A table is given showing the number of duplicate plots which must be employed to give any desired precision in the result.

It is also suggested that accurate results may be obtained by employing large numbers of very small plots, even as small as one square yard. This method is useful for nursery work in testing the cropping power of new varieties of cereals where very little seed is available.
Studies in the inheritance of Disease-Resistance
Authors: Biffen R. H.
Published: March 2009

On crossing immune and susceptible varieties the resulting offspring is susceptible.

On self-fertilization these susceptible individuals produce immune and susceptible descendants in the proportion of one of the former to three of the latter. The degree of susceptibility is variable.

Where the degree of susceptibility differs in the two parents the hybrid resembles the more susceptible parent in that respect. Among the descendants of such hybrids the two degrees of susceptibility appear in the usual Mendelian ratio of one slightly to three very susceptible individuals.

The relatively immune forms breed true to this characteristic in the succeeding generations.

Immunity is independent of any discernible morphological character, and it is practicable to breed varieties morphologically similar to one another, but immune or susceptible to the attacks of certain parasitic fungi.
The Phosphate Nutrition of Plants
Authors: Baguley Allan
Published: March 2009

Much work has been done in America, on the Continent and in this country, to determine the effect of different finely-ground naturally-occurring phosphatic substances on plants of various natural orders, grown under differing conditions as to the character of the soil and the use of other nutrient substances. In a few cases results or conclusions appear to conflict. Not nearly so much attention has been devoted to the effect of artificially prepared insoluble salts of phosphoric acid on the growth of plants. When these are employed in the absence of ammonium salts, and acid soil substances, definite information should be obtained as to the powers possessed by plants themselves of utilizing insoluble phosphates. With the object of making a contribution to such knowledge, oats, peas and swede turnips were grown in artificial soils made up of white sand and pure chalk, and the particular salt of phosphoric acid under investigation. The other essential nutrient substances were supplied in a dilute solution of salts.
The Distribution of the Overhead Electrical Discharge Employed in Recent Agricultural Experiments
Authors: Jørgensen I. , Priestley. J. H.
Published: March 2009

1. It is shown that the strength of the discharge from an overhead wire network at a high potential is a variable quantity depending on the mobility of the carriers of the electricity and on the velocity of the wind. Attention has been drawn to the presence of radio-active disintegration products which may possibly be a complicating factor in the effect of the discharge upon plant growth.

2. The maximum current density of the discharge in some experimental stations, where the apparatus is constructed after the pattern of the Agricultural Electric Discharge Co., is of the order 10–11amp./cm.2

3. Measurements of potential gradient and of current density agree in showing that the effect of the discharge is not limited to the area under the wires. This is of importance as control and electrified areas have usually been placed close together in field experiments. Some account is given of the distribution of the discharge under various weather conditions.

4. Methods are discussed by which the control area may perhaps be kept under more normal electrical conditions in spite of the proximity of the overhead discharge wires. The results of some of the tentative efforts in this direction which were made at Dumfries during 1913 are briefly discussed.
The Effect of Bastard Trenching on the Soil and on Plant Growth
Authors: Pickering Spencer Umfreville , Russell E. J.
Published: March 2009

Bastard Trenching as ordinarily performed consists of two distinct operations; loosening the lower spit of soil, and digging into it farmyard manure or other fertilising material. A considerable volume of data has been accumulated to show the effect of the addition of farmyard manure to soil, but little is known of the effect of loosening the bottom spit, either on the soil or on the plant.
Preliminary Investigation into the Variation in the Physical Composition of Wheat Milling Offals
Authors: Cranfield Harold T.
Published: March 2009

The various offals obtained from the milling of wheat for flour have long been used as a feeding stuff for cattle, but their relative value as a food has never been thoroughly investigated.
The Starch Equivalent Theory
Authors: Murray J. Alan
Published: March 2009

The account given by Wood and Yule of their investigation of the records of British Feeding Trials and the Starch Equivalent Theory in part 2 vol. VI of this Journal is a valuable and timely paper. It contains abundant material for reflection. Consideration of the data suggests that there is room for doubt in regard to the conclusions for which a claim to “certainty” has been advanced. It is not, however, the immediate purpose of this article to discuss these conclusions—though incidentally certain points in the investigation come under review—but rather to discern, as far as possible, the direction in which the methods and arguments employed lead, and more particularly what is their bearing on the starch equivalent theory as a practical system.
Some soils of the Southern Island of New Zealand with special reference to their lime requirements
Authors: Wild Leonard John
Published: March 2009

1. The Hutchinson-MacLennan method for determining the lime requirements of soils, when practised under suitable standard conditions, gives more reliable indications than are obtainable by the ordinary methods of chemical analysis.

2. The method gives indications which appear to be uniformly in excess of the actual requirement of the soil for lime as judged by economic standards: hence a correcting value seems advisable.

3. The correcting value for the soils of Canterbury Plains is about 0·10%.

4. The greater acidity and higher lime requirement of soils of the Southland Plains appears to be due to a combination of lack of natural under-drainage and high rainfall, which prevents aeration and oxidation of organic matter, so that “sour” humus accumulates in the soil.
The comparative keeping qualities of palm kernel, coconut, ground-nut and other oil-cakes
Authors: Godden William
Published: March 2009

One of the difficulties which hinder the extended use of the nut-oil-cakes (palm kernel, coconut and ground-nut) is the prevalent impression that these cakes deteriorate rapidly on keeping. In recent articles dealing with these cakes frequent reference has been made to this point. Thus Voelcker (9) in his Annual Report for 1914 states that “one inconvenience attaching to palm-nut and coconut cakes is that they do not keep as well as linseed and cotton cakes and that there is a tendency for them to turn rancid.” In his Report for 1915, however, he says, “I have come across but few instances either with palm-nut cake or meal, in which these have been rancid or not in good condition.” Murray (8) states that manufacturers should realise that they still have to reassure farmers regarding the keeping qualities of palm kernel cake. In a later article in the Journal of the Board of Agriculture (3) it is stated that “palm-nut kernel cakes in the past have had the reputation of soon going rancid…. At the present day, before the kernels are crushed they are subjected to a process of cooking, by which the ferment that causes the oil to turn rancid is rendered inactive.” The validity of this latter assertion seems doubtful in the light of the recent work of Calder (2) which shows that the lipase, present in the resting seed in the form of its zymogen, is not destroyed during the manufacture of the cake, the mass of crushed kernels not being sufficiently heated in every part prior to pressing to secure this object completely. Similar statements have been made as to the liability of coconut and ground-nut cakes to become rancid on storing (3,4).
On the perchlorate method for the estimation of potassium in soils, fertilisers, etc.
Authors: Page H. J.
Published: March 2009

(1) It is shown that the presence of chloric acid in the perchloric acid used for the estimation of potassium in soils, fertilisers, and plant material, by Davis's method (l) gives rise to very erratic and erroneous results. Every sample of perchloric acid should, therefore, be tested for freedom from chloric acid before being used for the estimation of potassium.

(2) Results are quoted which indicate that in the application of Neubauer's method of treatment of the soil extract to a soil deficient in carbonates, it is sufficient to add only 0·1 gm. of calcium carbonate to the extract instead of the 0·5 gm. generally used. A considerable economy of perchloric acid is thereby effected.
The preparation and fractionation of humic acid
Authors: Beckley V. A.
Published: March 2009

The early authorities, Mulder, de Saussure, Berzelius and others, considered the whole of the precipitate obtained by adding acid to an alkaline extract of soil to be humic acid,—a single substance to which they assigned a definite formula. Hoppe-Seyler and others found, however, that the precipitate was not homogeneous; a portion dissolved in alcohol, which he named hymatomelanic acid. It was from this that Schreiner and Shorey isolated a number of organic acids, all of which were either colourless or only faintly coloured.
The composition of some Sudan soils
Authors: Joseph A. F.
Published: March 2009

A description is given of five typical soils of the Sudan covering a wide area. Of these, four are heavy clays and the fifth a sandy soil. All are alkaline and with one exception low in calcium carbonate. The results of the full chemical analysis of the conventional fractions are given and it is suggested that an important characteristic of a clay soil is the chemical composition of the clay fractions.
Further observations on the factors controlling fertility and foetal atrophy
Authors: Hammond John
Published: March 2009

Ina previous paper (1) some of the factors which control fertility in domestic animals were discussed. These for purposes of clearness in investigation were divided into two groups: (1) The factors which control the number of eggs shed; and (2) The factors which control the number of eggs which develop to reach birth size. By this means the way in which the various factors which affect fertility could be determined, for example, it was shown that the effect of age on fertility, the literature of which has been reviewed by Harris (2), is due to the number of eggs shed at each oestrus period. Young sows examined had on the average 14 corpora lutea in the ovaries while old sows had 20 corpora lutea.
The effect of temperature, water content and composition of the atmosphere on the viability of carrot, onion and parsnip seeds in storage
Authors: Gane R.
Published: March 2009

Certain vegetable seeds show such a marked loss of viability on storage that they are generally useless after 1–2 years storage under average commercial conditions; the most valuable seeds which store particularly badly are parsnip, onion and carrot. Storage experiments were therefore designed and set up to show the effect of the following factors on the viability of the seeds:

(a) The water content as determined by the humidity of the atmosphere in which the seeds were stored.

(b) Atmospheric conditions, viz. ventilated air, unventilated air and nitrogen.

(c) Temperature.
The influence of grain growing on the nitrogen and organic matter content of the western prairie soils of Canada
Authors: Shutt Frank T.
Published: March 2009

Canada's western prairies, lying within the confines of the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, are generally recognised as comprising one of the largest and most important agricultural areas on the American continent. The immense acreage of their arable lands, the great depth and high fertility of their soils and the unexcelled quality of their wheat, have made them widely and favourably known throughout the civilised world. As yet but sparsely settled they will for many years offer a large and attractive field for agricultural occupation and development.
Studies on soil reaction: V. The depth-distribution of reaction and flocculation in continuously manured soils
Authors: Crowther Edward M.
Published: March 2009

The reactions of the unmanured and the limed and unlimed portions of the sulphate of ammonia plots on Eothamsted Park Grass and Woburn barley fields change steadily with increasing depth, and at 36 inches still show the same relations as in the surface soil. The difference in pH values between the limed and unlimed portions of the Rothamsted soil is substantially constant at all depths down to 36 inches. The reaction of the subsoil plays an important part in determining the effect of liming. The subsoils from the sulphate of ammonia plots at both centres are highly flocculated. Mixtures of 1 part of soil with 5 parts of water exhibit complete flocculation in the case of all samples below 9 inches and the velocity of sedimentation decreases and the volume of the final sediment increases regularly and markedly with the depth. Such changes in soil texture probably constitute important factors in the action of a high surface acidity.
Studies on soil reaction: VI. The interaction of acid soils, calcium carbonate and water, in relation to the determination of “lime requirements.”
Authors: Crowther Edward M. , Martin Wallace S.
Published: March 2009

The variations in Hutchinson-MacLennan “lime requirement” with the amount of soil and calcium bicarbonate solution are shown to be connected with the buffer action of the soil. Indirect titration curves can be derived from the calcium bicarbonate results, and show a systematic divergence from the direct electrometric titration curves, owing to the variable calcium concentration of the final bicarbonate solutions. In the presence of calcium chloride both methods show lower pH values for a given base absorption and yield almost identical titration curves. The Hutchinson-MacLennan “lime requirement” is always less than the equivalent of the amount of calcium hydroxide necessary to give a neutral suspension in the electrometric titrations. The calcium bicarbonate solutions at equilibrium are always more acid than pH 6·2, but the “salt effect” tends to give results corresponding to a somewhat higher degree of neutralisation. “Lime requirements” should be obtained by interpolation to some arbitrary concentration, and an empirical relationship is given by which the interpolation may be made from a single determination. The Hutchinson-MacLennan method can give no indication of the intensity of soil acidity, but serves to estimate the amount of lime necessary to give a considerable reduction of acidity.
Composition and properties of oat grain and straw
Authors: Berry Reginald Arthur
Published: March 2009

1. In the comparatively humid climate, of the west of Scotland, the water content of oat grain, threshed soon after harvest, amounting, as a rule to between 16 and 18 %, fell, during storage, to between 12·0 and 14·5 %. Grain grown in the drier climate of the south of England and Wales contained on an average 12·2 % compared with 14·4 %. The weight of stored grain varied to a certain extent according to the hygrometric condition of the atmosphere. The maximum variation amounted to between 4 and 5 % of the initial weight of the grain.

In addition to the usual analytical data, it was found to be of great advantage, in connection with each sample of grain examined to keep a record of, date of threshing and date of analysis, proportion of whole grain, weed seeds, husk, etc., average weight of 1000 grains, height above sea-level, type of soil, length of growing period, rainfall, previous cropping and manuring, condition of the crop.

2. Between 11 and 12 % of the fatty substances in the oat kernel is present in the germ (embryo), the remainder is principally in the aleurone layer. The amount of extractable substances varied according to the solvent employed, ether and petroleum ether yielded the smallest and alcohol the largest extract. From 88 to 96 % of the total, was dissolved out by different solvents, in a five hour extraction. With repeated five hour extractions, ether still gave a small residue in the sixth extract. All the extracts contained finely divided solid matter in suspension, which could be made to separate out as a yellow residue and it amounted to between 0·25 and 6 % of the ether extract.

The extracts were found to be slightly higher from “air dry” meal and ordinary ether compared with “dry” meal and dry ether.

Free fatty acids were almost absent in the oil from freshly ground kernel, but afterwards they rapidly increased and in 24 days, calculated as oleic acid, they formed over 55 % of the extract. Drying the grain such as is done in the manufacture of oatmeal, had the effect of slowing down the rate of hydrolysis of the fat, but the amount of acid finally liberated was the same.
A Qualitative Test for Sour Soils
Authors: Comber Norman M.
Published: March 2009

Sincethe publication in 1914 of the results obtained by Daikuhara (2) in an investigation of certain acid soils of Japan, considerable prominence has been given in the literature of Soil Chemistry to the presence of iron and aluminium salts in the solution of sour soils.
The uptake of nutrients by flax
Authors: Lewis A. H.
Published: March 2009

Flax crops from a number of centres in Northern Ireland and in Norfolk have been analysed for nutrient content.

Flax removes from the soil about the same amounts of nutrients as an average crop of meadow hay, but more than spring barley and much less than mangolds.

There is no obvious relation between percentages of any one nutrient in the crops examined and yield data, percentage fibre in crop or grade of fibre. It is suggested that local climatic conditions, physical make-up of soil and proper cultivations are of first importance in flax growing. The importance of a clean seed-bed and even depth of sowing, and of steady growth with no checks is stressed.
Comparison of dairy shorthorn and Welsh black cattle as milk producers; and effect of time of calving on the yield of milk
Authors: Roberts E. J.
Published: March 2009

The investigations described in the present paper are based on the records of the dairy herd at the farm of the University College of North Wales, at Aber near Bangor. The results obtained will have a more definite significance if some account is given of the nature and management of that herd.

The Bangor provincial area, including the four Northern Counties of Wales, is roughly divided into Welsh Black and Shorthorn country by the Conway River. Most of the cattle in Anglesey and Caernarvonshire are of Welsh Black type, and the ordinary non-pedigree dual purpose type of Shorthorn predominates in Denbighshire and Flintshire.
“Apparent ropiness” (thread formation) in milk due to surface influence
Authors: Mattick A. T. R
Published: March 2009

A physical form of “ropiness” in milk has been described and shown to be due to the formation of thin films of casein and (or) lactalbumin at the milk-air interface.

The “ropes” are a form of the “mechanical surface aggregates” of Ramsden and may occur on appropriate surfaces, such as ordinary farm coolers whenever the rate of flow, the temperature and the acidity conditions are favourable.

A modification of Ramsden’s method demonstrating the formation of mechanical surface aggregates, in an hitherto unobserved form, has been described, viz. horizontal glass tubes in parallel which are especially suitable for opaque fluids.

The condition appears to be identical with that described by Aekma and Brouwer(2) who showed the occurrence of corpuscles in milk after violent agitation. These corpuscles probably consist of thin films of solid protein which as in the cases described by the author have formed at the interfaces of air bubbles and milk.

The phenomenon has been shown to be of importance in handling dilutions of milk in the course of bacterial enumeration.
The nutrition of the carrot. II. Grown in a fen soil
Authors: Woodman Rowland Marcus , Paver Harold
Published: March 2009

Carrots of Chantenay type wefe grown in cultures of a black fen soil shown by analysis to be deficient in phosphate but normal as regards potash. When phosphate was absent, the cotyledons, and sometimes the whole of the foliage, were dark bronze in colour. There was a statistically significant increase in yield following applications of phosphate, but a tendency for applied nitrogen and potash to diminish yield.

We thank F. Shaw, Esq., N.D.H., of the Cambs. C.C. Staff for Agricultural Education, for his assistance in obtaining the fen soil used in this experiment.
The Average ages of Cows and Bulls in Six Breeds of Cattle
Authors: Smith A. D. Buchanan , Robison O. J.
Published: March 2009

From the herd book records of six leading breeds of cattle in Great Britain (Shorthorn, Aberdeen-Angus, Hereford, Ayrshire, Jersey and British Friesian) the ages of the parents of 2618 pedigree calves born in 1925 were tabulated.

The average age of cows at calving is found to be 5·722 years ± 0·04, with a standard deviation of 2·816. In four dairy breeds the average age is 5·485 years ± 0·05, while for the three beef breeds it is 6·022 ± 0·05.

The “annual replacement percentage” is the number of heifers drafted annually into a herd or breed as first calvers expressed as a percentage of the total number of actively producing cows in the herd or breed. It is in effect the number required annually to make good the losses, and can be calculated from the average age of the cows at calving. This is found to be at least 27 per cent. and agrees substantially with the work of other investigators.
A study of wool growth. I. Weight of wool
Authors: Galpin N.
Published: March 2009

The wool production of a small flock of Romney Sheep has been studied for a few years. When the sheep were 1 month old squares were tattooed on to four regions of each sheep.

The weight of wool from, and the area of, these squares has been studied.

We find that, under good growing conditions, for the same region, all sheep produce the same weight of wool per sq.cm. of skin per day (denoted by c), which is independent of age, seasons, year of birth of sheep, but varies from region to region, being higher the nearer the region to the mid-dorsal line.

When conditions are unfavourable the weight of wool a particular sheep produces from a particular region falls below the c value for the region, approximately, by a factor (1 – B/E), where E is the skin expansion ratio of the particular region and B is a number, the same for all sheep and all regions in one season and is greater the worse the season.

I am particularly indebted to Dr Hammond, School of Agriculture, Cambridge, and to Mr W. S. Kelly (Australia) for help and advice, and to the Animal Research Station, Cambridge, for providing the facilities for working with sheep. I wish to express my indebtedness to my colleagues of the Biology Department of this Association who have assisted me in various ways, and to Dr Daniels for help with the statistical treatment of the data, and to Mr R. C. Palmer for criticism and help in preparing the results for publication. My thanks are due to Mr B. H. Wilsdon, Director of Research, for his encouragement, to the International Wool Secretariat for providing the sheep, and to the Council of the Wool Industries Research Association for permission to publish the results.
Studies in Sampling Technique: Cereal Experiments. III. Results and Discussion.
Authors: Clapham A. R.
Published: March 2009

1. Four cereal experiments, comprising 210 plots each about l/40th acre in area, were harvested by a sampling method. Three of the experiments were later harvested by large-scale methods, so that a direct comparison could be made.

2. The field technique is described, and an account is given of the small combined thresher and winnower which was constructed for the purpose of dealing rapidly with the numerous small sheaflets.

3. The results are analysed in detail and it is shown that the samplingerrors per plot lie between 5 and 6 per cent. of the mean yield, and that these errors are sufficiently low for there to be little loss of information.
Adherence between penis and sheath in beef calves at the time of castration
Authors: Ashdown R. R.
Published: March 2009

1. 247 commercial beef calves were examined at ages ranging from 0–13 months.

2. Separation between penis and sheath commenced at about 3 or 4 months and was completed at about 9 or 10 months. Great differences were, however, found between animals of similar ages.

3. The degree of adherence present at castration was greater than that found in a previous survey at the time of slaughter. Evidence is presented to support the suggestion that separation between penis and sheath may take place after castration.
A short note on the nutritive value of linseed cake
Authors: Stewart James
Published: March 2009

Prof. T. B. Wood in the November issue of the Journal of the Ministry of Agriculture discussing the known methods of estimating the nutritive values of foodstuffs says, “there is a method which is within the scope of any experimenter and is capable of yielding accurate results of great practical value,” and he goes on to give examples, in the estimating of the nutritive value of swedes, kale, etc., using the results of an experiment which entailed the use of 40 to 120 animals. From these experiments he gets results showing a very satisfactory agreement between experiment and calculation, notwithstanding that there must be a slight experimental error in the calculation of food consumed.
The mechanism of cellulose digestion in the ruminant organism: II. The transformation of cellulose into glucose by the agency of cellulose-splitting bacteria
Authors: Woodman H. E. , Stewart J.
Published: March 2009

An attempt was made in a recent communication (1) to propound a theory in connection with the digestion of cellulose in the ruminant organism which should be compatible with Kellner's findings as to the value of digestible fibre in the fattening of ruminants. It was shown that the generally accepted theory, that cellulose is digested by bacterial agency in the rumen with the production of organic acids and gaseous products, such as methane, hydrogen and carbon dioxide, failed entirely to account for the equal values of digestible fibre and starch for fat production in the ruminant animal. This could only be explained by assuming that glucose (or some other sugar capable of hydrolysis to glucose) was formed as a primary product of the action of bacteria on cellulose, and that, as with digestible carbohydrates originally present in the food, only about 8 per cent, of the sugar so formed underwent further bacterial breakdown into organic acids and gases, the remainder being available for absorption into the organism in the form of glucose. On this assumption, it would follow that every gram of fibre so digested would yield to the organism as much glucose as would a gram of starch, and in this way Kellner's practical finding would be capable of explanation.
The revised official British method for mechanical analysis
Authors:   Sub-Committee of the Agricultural Education Association
Published: March 2009

In a former number of thisJournal(1), there appeared a report on the mechanical analysis of soils by this sub-committee of the Agricultural Education Association. The report contained proposals for certain modifications of the earlier A.E.A. (1906) method, of which the most important were the introduction of hydrogen peroxide as a dispersive agent in the preliminary treatment, the use of the pipette method for the actual mechanical analysis, and the abolition of the fine gravel (3 mm.–1 mm.) fraction. This report was officially adopted by the A.E.A. and the method of mechanical analysis therein proposed was accepted as the new standard to replace the 1906 method. The full details were published in theJournalof the Association (2).
Sperm production of a pony stallion and the treatment of spermatozoa in vitro with special reference to artificial insemination of mares
Authors: Chang Min Chueh
Published: March 2009

1. The sperm production of a pony stallion kept a constant high level when the collection of sperms was performed regularly three times a week. There was no adverse effect on the stallion or on the quantity and quality of the sperms. There is a negative correlation between the volume of semen and the concentration. The total number ejaculated remains relatively constant; the volume of accessory fluids is more variable.

2. The motility of horse spermatozoa after dilution with eight different kinds of chemical media and stored at different temperatures was studied: Glucose-yolk-phosphate dilutor devised by Lamhert & McKenzie and glucose-yolk-tartrate dilutor devised by the author were found to be the best for the preservation of horse sperms at low temperature. There was not much difference between those diluted samples stored for 24 hr. at 10° C. and those slowly cooled to 1° C. Concentration of the semen by centrifuge is definitely beneficial for the preservation of horse sperms.

3. Pregnancies were obtained by the insemination of sperms centrifuged and kept at 1° C. for 24 hr. The sperms of one stallion can be used for a great number of mares if artificial insemination is practised. The adoption of new techniques for the determination of the time of ovulation and for the induction of ovulation is suggested for successful artificial insemination of mares.
The statistical basis of selection in animal husbandry. II. Studies on life performance of brood sows: the judging of brood sows by their number of offspring born and reared in the earliest litters
Authors: Olbrycht T. M.
Published: March 2009

To study the total-life performance of all the 156 sows, they were divided into groups consisting of sows having produced 73 to 77, 78 to 82, 83 to 87, … pigs throughout their breeding life often litters. The frequency distribution, of total number of offspring born, thus obtained is shown in Fig. 2.
The Conformation of the Parents as Related to the Milk Secretion of the Daughters, Jersey Registry of Merit.
Authors: Gowen John W.
Published: March 2009

The above data on the sire's conformation and on the dam's conformation in relation to their daughter's production of milk are concordant in showing that with the possible exception of weight, there is no correlation of practical significance between the body type of the sire or the dam and the productive capacity of the daughter in milk, butter-fat or butter-fat percentage.
Variation in the composition of the milk of an abnormal cow
Authors: Cranfield H. T. , Ling E. R.
Published: March 2009

This paper is a record of the composition of the milk of an abnormal cow, during a period extending over three lactations. Although this cow was found eventually to be suffering from tuberculosis of the udder and lungs, no signs of the disease were apparent during the first two lactations recorded.

The milk produced by this cow was abnormal during the whole period under review. Fat percentages were very variable, but the solids not fat content was consistently low, only 2 per cent. of the total number of samples analysed exceeding 8·5 per cent. in this constituent. Protein and lactose percentages were much below the averages for normal milk, but in the case of total ash the mean figures were normal. Of the ash constituents, the soluble portion was very high and the insoluble portion correspondingly low, the former presumably indicating a high chloride content. The percentages of phosphoric acid and lime were considerably below the mean figures for normal milk.

Lactose and soluble ash percentages show a marked negative correlation, and moreover support the contention of Porcher and others that a definite lactose-chlorine ratio exists in milk.

It is suggested that an abnormally low solids not fat content (i.e. low protein and lactose) and abnormal percentages of the individual ash constituents may be a sign of incipient disease affecting the organs involved in the secretion of milk.
Marrow-stem kale silage
Authors: Ferguson W. S.
Published: March 2009

Kale silage was made in five large silos and the losses of dry matter and kale constituents determined.

The losses of dry matter averaged 33%, of N-free extract 41% and of crude protein 34%.

The percentage losses are higher than with wellmade grass silage, but, nevertheless, the yields of silage (and animal nutrients) per acre compare very favourably with those of other crops, including grass.

Inclusion of straw in kale silage did not reduce losses of dry matter; it merely reduced slightly the quantity of water lost.
Comparative nitrogen digestibility in Brahman, Brahman × Shorthorn, Africander × Hereford, and Hereford Steers
Authors: Ashton G. C.
Published: March 2009

1. Eight nitrogen metabolism experiments, each with sixteen steers representing grade Brahman, Brahman x Shorthorn, Africander x Hereford and Herefords, were carried out. The steers were fed according to body weight to the power 0·73, on rations consisting of natural pasture hay alone or in combination with lucerne hay.

2. These experiments showed that the steers with zebu blood were significantly superior to the Herefords with regard to dry-matter digestibility and apparent nitrogen digestibility. The breed difference disappeared when nitrogen digestibility was calculated from the relationship feed nitrogen minus undigested faecal residue nitrogen, divided by feed nitrogen.

3. Two further nitrogen metabolism experiments with six Africander x Hereford and four Hereford steers fed natural pasture hay plus lucerne hay, and one experiment with two Brahman x Shorthorn, two Africander x Hereford and two Hereford steers fed chaffed wheat straw were carried out. The steers were fed an equal amount of ration, irrespective of body weight.

4. In these three experiments faecal nitrogen was fractionated into undigested residue nitrogen, non-dialysable centrifugable nitrogen, non-dialysable non-centrifugable nitrogen, and dialysable nitrogen. The breed groups differed significantly in the amount of dialysable faecal nitrogen excreted but not in any other component.

5. The amount of dialysable faecal nitrogen excreted on equal intake was very significantly negatively correlated with body weight (r = −0·807, P < 0·01).

6. It was found that in two experiments the mean difference between Africander x Herefords and Hereford steers, mean body weights 863 and 686 lb., respectively, was 1·81 ± 0·51 g. nitrogen per day. It was calculated that this would represent about 70 ± 20% of the body-weight difference between the breeds if the lost nitrogen was fully utilizable. This agreed well with the estimate of 65% derived from the square of the correlation coefficient.
Woburn irrigation, 1951–59 I. Purpose, design and weather
Authors: Penman H. L.
Published: March 2009

Part I, largely introductory, outlines the design of an experiment to measure the responses of ordinary farm crops to supplementary irrigation in a part of England where, from meteorological reasoning, the frequency of need was expected to be about 2 years in 3. The watering treatments were based on estimates of potential transpiration, made from weekly weather data collected on the site, and measured rainfall. The basis of the computation is restated, and the balance of rain and estimated transpiration plotted for each of the 9 years, week by week in summer, month by month in winter. The meteorological specification of frequency of need was satisfied in 5 of the years, during which twenty crops were taken. Of these, eighteen responded to irrigation. In the other years, four of the sixteen crops responded positively to irrigation, and a few of the remaining twelve responded negatively when early irrigation was followed by summer rainfall sufficiently in excess to cause leaching from irrigated plots.
Variation between and within birds in the estimation of the metabolizable energy content of diets for laying hens
Authors: Foster W. H.
Published: March 2009

Three experiments were performed in which variation in metabolizable energy (M.E.) determinations was studied using a total of 137 laying hens. Consistent breed differences in classical M.E. estimates were found, and there were statistically significant differences between pullets within strains. Estimates were obtained of the within-bird variation in classical M.E. determinations and, from the estimated variance components, standard errors of the mean classical M.E. value were predicted for determinations using various numbers of pullets of one breed and various numbers of measurements per pullet.
The nutritive and manurial values of sugar beet tops
Authors: Woodman H. E. , Bee J. W.
Published: March 2009

The heavy yields of sugar beet tops which remain on the land after the removal of the sugar beet crop may be utilised in two ways. They may either be ploughed into the land as manure, or they may be fed to stock. Where large areas of sugar beet are grown, and where in consequence it may not be possible to secure consumption of the whole of the tops before decomposition of the material sets in, a combination of these two methods of utilisation may be resorted to. In other words, the feeding of the tops may be continued so long as they remain wholesome, after which the remainder may be ploughed into the land.

In view of the present importance of the sugar beet crop in English agriculture, and the urgent necessity of making the fullest possible use of all the various by-products arising in connection with this crop both in the field and in the factory, it is of importance that data should be available relating to the value of sugar beet tops both as a feeding stuff and as a manure. The purpose of the present communication is to detail the results of investigations which have been carried out with a view to securing such information.
The variations in milk yields caused by season of the year, service, age, and dry period and their elimination: Part II. Service
Authors: Sanders H. G.
Published: March 2009

All Cows. It is proposed, in dealing with this question, to follow the same lines as in the previous Part—namely, to describe the effect as found from all the Norfolk records (comparing the results, where possible, with those found in the case of Penrith) and then to treat the various breeds, and high and low yielders separately, in order to bring out any peculiarities that may exist as regards those groups.

It has already been seen that, as would be expected, the length of the S.P. very largely influences the length of the lactation, and it would seem probable on the face of it, that as pregnancy progresses the milk flow declines; this latter is dealt with in Section B of this Part, but we are here concerned with the total effect of both of these on the yield of milk in the lactation.
Further note on the capillary forces in an ideal soil
Authors: Fisher R. A.
Published: March 2009

The new observations of Haines on the pressure deficiency of liquid in a soil-like aggregate confirm the theoretical deduction that the pressure deficiency falls off with increasing water content, but do not justify his belief in a high static stress as saturation is approached.

A theorem is established connecting the static stress at any water content with the pressure deficiency and the dry area of the surface. This, together with general considerations of the energy conditions of physical equilibria, appears to dispose of the two assumptions from which the high values for the cohesive stress at saturation have been deduced.
The use of the in vitro fermentation technique to estimate the digestible energy content of some Egyptian forages: III. The effect of periodical renewal of medium on volatile fatty acid production and cellulose digestion in vitro as criteria of energy content
Authors: El-Shazly K. , Naga M. A. , Abaza M. A. , Abou Akkada A. R.
Published: March 2009

Eleven forages of known digestible energy/kg dry matter (Naga & el-Shazly, 1963) were used in in vitro fermentation experiments. Direct determinations of digestible energy (D.E./kg D.M.) using the bomb calorimeter were also included, and the values were corrected for gas losses.

In vitro fermentations were interrupted every 12, 8 and 6 h, the medium was renewed and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production and cellulose digestion were estimated. Volatile fatty acid production from legumes was high early in the fermentation periods and became lower in later periods. Non-legumes behaved in an opposite manner.

Significant negative correlation coefficients between VFA production and D.E./kg D.M. were found for legumes at later intervals of fermentation, while correlation coefficients for non-legumes lost their significance at later periods of fermentation.

Digestible energy/kg dry matter could best be predicted for legumes from the volatile fatty acids produced in the second 12 h fermentation period or from the sum of the VFA produced in second, third and fourth 6 h periods of fermentation.
The influence of environmental temperature on the respiratory rhythm of dairy cattle in the tropics
Authors: Rhoad Albert O.
Published: March 2009

That extreme environmental temperatures have a marked influence on metabolism is a well-established fact. The early investigators, Kellner, Atwater, Armsby and others, studied the energy income and output of farm animals in relation to various conditions of the environment, and from these studies the principles of basal metabolism, critical temperature, and physical and chemical regulation of body temperature have evolved.
Effect of early weaning at about 30 days after farrowing on the reproductive characteristics in gilts and sows
Authors: Shimizu Hirokazu , Takeuchi Saburo
Published: March 2009

Records have been analysed from a small herd in which early weaning was practised. Piglets were weaned when average weight was 7–8 kg, at about 30 days old. Decreased feeding of sows, followed by a short period of fasting, was practised at weaning.

Mean duration of suckling was 31·5 days and mean interval from weaning to oestrus 6·0 days. 93% of sows conceived to service at the first or second heat period. Mean farrowing interval for all sows was 159·7 days (151·9 days for those holding to the first service). Corresponding annual farrowing frequencies, calculated from these figures, are 2·29 and 2·40.

Litter sizes at birth and at weaning were 10·7 and 9·3; corresponding weights of piglets were 1·74 and 7·99 kg. With increase of litter sequence there was a significant decrease of weaning weights; however, there was also an increase in size of litter weaned. Seasonal changes of piglet weight were also found. Early weaning can be considered a useful way to increase production.