bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Soil properties in relation to the occurrence of grass sickness in horses
Authors: Stewart A. B. 
Published: March 2009

Any conclusions drawn from the foregoing results will of course apply only to the necessarily limited range of soils in one county. This range is limited geologically and the Aberdeenshire soils belong largely to the class of light to medium acid soils of low base status. The results for these soils indicate that:(a) The occurrence of grass sickness is not confined to soils of any particular geological origin.(b) The range of textural conditions in the soils examined is a wide one covering loams, sands and peaty types with a few moderately heavy soils. There does not appear to be any relationship between soil texture and the incidence of grass sickness.(c) The soils examined all fall into the class of acid soils and in only a very few—about 5 to 10%—could the addition of lime be considered unnecessary from the general agricultural point of view. As against this there are no striking abnormalities in the ratios of exchangeable or readily soluble cations in the soils, which might serve as a clue to the occurrence of grass sickness. Although little is known of the actual magnesium, manganese and strontium requirements of hay and pasture plants, the range of values covered in the soils examined is sufficiently wide to make it very unlikely that there is any relationship between the incidence of grass sickness and the magnesium, manganese or strontium contents of the soil. In view of the relatively widespread acidity in the soils examined, the possibility of a relationship between the occurrence of grass sickness and soil acidity has to be borne in mind. It would be of value to find out if grass sickness occurs to an appreciable extent on limestone soils, or on soils which have been systematically limed and which have pK values in the neighbourhood of 7.(d) The majority of the soils are, from the general agricultural point of view, somewhat low in readily soluble or available potash and phosphate, but against this about 30% of the soils have satisfactory phosphate contents and about 20% of the ordinary surface soils and 46% of the top 2 in. samples, in which occur the bulk of the plant roots, have satisfactory potash contents. It does not appear likely therefore that the occurrence of grass sickness is to be related directly to the phosphate and potash contents of the soil. As far as reserves of the common plant foods are concerned there is likewise no abnormality which could account for the disease.
Observations on the haemoglobin level of cows and sheep
Authors: Allcroft W. M. 
Published: March 2009

The haemoglobin values for the blood of clinically normal cows and ewes over England and Wales are very similar, with a mean value around 11·5 g. per 100 ml. Although the extreme range is wide, about 8–17 g., the distribution of values is such that the common normal range may be taken as 9·5–13·5 g. per 100 ml. There is no striking difference in age groups.Metabolic disorders such as ‘milk fever’ and ‘grass tetany’ in cows and ‘pregnancy toxaemia’ in ewes have no specific effect on haemoglobin level. Chronic hypoglycaemic ketosis of the dairy cow leads to progressive anaemia in which levels down to 6 g. per 100 ml. were found. Border or Northumbrian ‘pining’ of sheep is accompanied by an even more pronounced progressive anaemia, values as low as 3·2 g. per 100 ml. being encountered.It is a pleasure to acknowledge the technical assistance of Mr F. J. Salt and the direction and interest of Dr H. H. Green in the main programme from which the protocols were drawn.
A study of the development of the characters of the fleece during growth in the different regions of the body
Authors: Thomasset L. F. 
Published: March 2009

1. A study has been made of the relative development of some regions in the fleece of twin lambs of a Suffolk ♂ × Suffolk (Border Leicester-Cheviot) ♀ cross during growth. The different regions develop in the following order: shoulder → leg → belly → tail. It is concluded that an improved animal is one in which the latest developing part of the fleece has the least possible number of undesirable fibres at the earliest possible age. The breeds of sheep begin their wool improvement by changes in the earliest developing regions (shoulder) and finish it in the latest (tail).2. The properties of the fleece studied were the colour of the fibres, the medullated fibres, the fineness of the fibres, and uniformity of fibre size. In general a relationship is found between the stage and rapidity of development of the area, and the properties of the fibre. The intensity of the colour is stronger during the early active stages of development. There is a tendency to lose some kinds of coloured fibres, and to diminish the intensity of the colour in others as the development of each region in which the fibres grow proceeds.The medullated fibres appeared in greatest quantities in the later developing regions, except the belly which presents few medullated fibres.The staple is much finer at the first month of growth than in the later stages. Frequency curves of fibre size are of more value than average fibre size in estimating the value of the fleece.3. It is suggested that the examination of the fleece of the lamb will give some idea of its genetic constitution and will reveal defects which would be concealed in the adult. Such a “phaeno-genetic” selection can be made best in a “late developing” area of the body such as the tail of the lamb at one month old.
The measurement of pF in soil by freezing-point
Authors: Schofield R. K. , da Costa J. V. Botelho 
Published: March 2009

Two procedures are described for ascertaining the relationship between the freezing-point and moisture content of a soil. Since the soil sample is dried in the process of freezing, it is necessary to estimate how much water has been frozen out of the soil at the moment when the freezing temperature is recorded.Procedure A embodies all the precautions which appear desirable when the greatest accuracy is required. Procedure B is simple and rapid and yet accurate enough for routine estimations.
Identification and measurement of the combustible gases that occur in the gaseous metabolic products of sheep
Authors: Lugg Joseph W. H. 
Published: March 2009

Measurementsof the gaseous metabolism of sheep in this laboratory are conducted by drawing air through a sealed chamber that contains the animal, sampling the effluent air, and analysing the sample for its carbon dioxide increase and its oxygen deficit. As the analysis is dependent upon the measured fraction of nitrogen with rare gases, and particularly in respect of the oxygen deficiency this fraction must be known rather precisely. It is of course assumed that the animal in no way changes the quantities of nitrogen and rare gases passing through the chamber, but the analysis is incomplete if any gases or vapours other than carbon dioxide and water are given off.It is well known that considerable quantities of methane, and possibly some hydrogen, are produced by ruminants, and some forms of gas analysis apparatus include a device designed to measure the concentration of methane in the sample. The device, as used in the apparatus of Carpenter & Fox (1926), consists of a platinum spiral heated electrically, the carbon dioxide resulting from combustion being measured volumetrically in the ordinary way, together with the O2consumed. Experience with the device in this laboratory has led to its abandonment and gravimetric methods are now employed instead.
Observations on the effects of temperature and distance to water on the behaviour of Merino and Border Leicester sheep
Authors: Daws G. T. , Squires V. R. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe effects of ambient temperature on the daily behaviour patterns and water consumption of Border Leicester and Merino wethers were examined in an experiment where food was supplied ad libitum at points ranging from 2·4 to 5·6 km from water. The data were collected during a 12-week period when daily maximum temperatures ranged from 24 °C to 45 °C.At distances where twice-daily drinking appeared normal and maximum air temperatures exceeded 38 °C, Merinos abandoned the afternoon walk to water, and the Border Leicesters either abandoned the walk or reduced consumption. However, until the temperature reached 38 °C water intakes of both breeds were positively related to temperature. Border Leicesters increased consumption at a mean rate of 0·42 ± 0·072 l/head/°C until maximum ambient temperatures approached 38 °C, compared with the Merino rate of 0–17 ± 0·054 l/head/°C.Border Leicesters responded to temperature by drinking earlier in the mornings as minimum overnight temperatures rose, and by increased night activity when mean night temperatures exceeded 25 °C. Merinos showed no such response.
Allometric growth of the forelimb in cattle
Authors: Pontecorvo Guido 
Published: March 2009

Analysing Hammond's data on the growth of limbs in the sheep, Huxley (1932) found a post-natal simple negative heterogony, or allometry, as in the latest terminology (Teissier, 1937), of the whole limb relative to the body. As lambs, and the young of most other grazing mammals, are born with relatively long limbs enabling them to follow their dams (Hammond, 1932), the same author pointed out that the leg must have exhibited positive allometry during foetal development.Having possession of a sufficient body of measurements on the skeletal development of female calves of the Chianina breed, a very tall beef and draft breed of cattle of Central Italy, I investigated the course of growth of height at withers relative to the growth of the length of the trunk (from shoulder to ischium). The growth of height at withers can be considered as a sufficiently reliable measure of the growth of forelimb length owing to the fact that the two principal angles in the limb (scapula-humerus and humerus-radius) do not change very much with age (Engeler, 1935).It was found that the growth of forelimb length in this breed of cattle exhibits a simple negative allometry relative to the growth of trunk length. This simple allometry, with growth constant about 0·78, holds from birth until over the age of 3 years, that is, throughout practically the whole post-natal growth.Lack of data after this age leaves open to further research the course in the ultimate period of development.I thought it would be of some interest to compare various breeds of cattle differing rather widely in the absolute values, as well as in the proportions of height at withers and trunk length at birth and in later life.
A study of the fasting metabolism of various breeds of hog: III. Metabolism and surface area measurements.
Authors: Deighton Thomas 
Published: March 2009

From metabolism experiments carried out on the pigs enumerated in the first paper of this series the following conclusions are drawn:(a) The metabolism in a state of inanition appears to be more a function of a power of the weight than of the true surface area as determined by the photographic method.(b) Hogs born in the summer and autumn of one year appear to show two maxima of metabolism; one almost immediately, as has been observed previously, and another during the following summer, provisionally ascribed to the effect of light on thyroid activity, produced by the intermediary action of the anterior pituitary.(c) Actual, and theoretically computed average growths are shown to agree remarkably well in the case of eleven of the pigs which were treated in an exactly similar manner. Individual growth curves showed no such agreement. This is considered to strengthen the evidence for the writer's previously stated view that nett energy is a statistical rather than a physiological constant.
The body proportions of different breeds of bacon pigs
Authors: Hammond John , Murray G. N. 
Published: March 2009

Weights and measurements of sides of bacon made under standard conditions from different breeds and crosses of pigs and exhibited at the London Dairy Show from 1922–31 have been analysed statistically.1. The actual live weight of the pig affects the carcass percentage more than does breed or type.2. For a bacon pig of 200 lb. live weight, there is an optimum carcass percentage (about 79 per cent) and an optimum bacon percentage (about 58 per cent). The highest percentage is not necessarily best, for below about this level the proportion of bone will be too large and above this level the proportion of fat will be too large.3. The reasons why certain measurements and proportions are necessary to meet market requirements are detailed.4. The changes in the proportions of the side with increase in weight of the side are described. The proportional increase in bacon weight is much greater than the proportional increase in side length. Both belly thickness and thickness of shoulder fat increase in their proportions at a faster rate than side length, but not so fast as side weight. The thickness of fat over the loin is the only part measured which increases at a faster rate than side weight.5. The subcutaneous layer of fat matures earliest at the shoulder, over the rump next, and on the loin last. The rate of increase of the back fat slows down as the sides increase in weight. This slackening of growth is greatest in the shoulder and least in the loin, the rump area being intermediate.
The effect of Chlorpropham on the storage of swedes
Authors: McKelvie A. D. , Olorunda A. O. , Kay M. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe sprout inhibitor Chlorpropham (CIPC) [isopropyl N-(3 chlorophenyl) carbamate] was found to be an effective sprout inhibitor in stored swedes (Brassica napus L.) under certain conditions. It was ineffective and unnecessary in swedes stored from November to April but necessary for those stored in clamps from March to July. CIPC did not, however, prevent rotting nor arrest normal chemical changes. Rotting developed because of the restricted ventilation necessary for successful use of CIPC and was more severe in mechanically than in hand-harvested roots. The main advantage of using CIPC to extend the storage and feeding life of swedes is that the absence of sprouts makes the handling of the roots much easier.Friesian bulls fed swedes preserved with CIPC and supplemented with 50% conconcentrates gave satisfactory growth compared with similar bulls offered a diet containing only barley.
Manuring of meadow-hay land. The effect of manures and lime on the botanical composition and yield of hay. (With two text-figures.)
Authors: Jacques W. A. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe object of these experiments was to compare the effect of dung, artificial manures and lime on yield and botanical composition of meadow hay.The soil is a light loam derived from a coal measures sandstone, and is naturally sour. The poor type of herbage it produces is typical of a large acreage of land in the West Riding.The northern halves of the plots were limed, and the results obtained show striking differences between the limed and unlimed halves which must be taken into account in any comparison made between the different manurial treatments.
Herbage characteristics of perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot, tall fescue and timothy pastures and their relationship with animal performance under upland conditions
Authors: Davies D. A. , Morgan T. E. H. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYHerbage characteristics of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and timothy (Phleum pratense L.) pastures were obtained whilst rotationally grazed by ewes and their single lambs at a fixed stocking rate of 25/ha on an upland site (305 m O.D.) in mid-Wales. Drymatter production of cocksfoot averaged 32·1 kg/ha/day over the 3-year duration of the trial (1975·7) and was 13·3 kg/ha/day lower than that of the other three grass species. This resulted in a 8 kg/ha/day reduction in dry-matter intake on cocksfoot; this was significantly lower (P < 0·05) than that achieved on the other grasses, which were similar to one another around 36 kg/ha/day.In vitro digestibility of the herbage ranked in the order perennial ryegrass > timothy = cocksfoot > tall fescue. Intake of digestible organic matter (DOMI) was lower on cocksfoot than on perennial ryegrass and timothy. Differences were also detected in crude protein, water-soluble carbohydrates and sodium composition between species.Dry-matter intake was positively correlated with herbage growth rates (r = 0·95, P < 0·001) but not to digestibility of herbage on offer (r = 0·18). Both ewe and lamb live-weight gains were positively related to intake of dry matter and DOMI.Reference is made to comparative yield data between the grasses obtained under cutting trials. In the 2nd and 3rd harvest years (1967–1967) growth rates in the grazing experiment were 76, 61, 81 and 80% of the 66·2, 66·7, 67·8 and 65·0 kg D.M./ha/day obtained under a cutting regime on perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot, tall fescue and timothy swards respectively. This illustrates the danger involved in assessing the potential of grasses based on such information.The results are discussed in relation to the value of the species for use under grazing in the uplands.
The effect of winter and early spring grazing by sheep on subsequent sward production
Authors: Wilman D. , Griffiths P. D. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThe effect on sward production of grazing by sheep during different periods of the winter and the effect of different dates of ceasing grazing in late winter-early spring were measured in field experiments by cuts during the spring and summer and by botanical analysis.Winter and early spring grazing reduced herbage yield in April, May and June, but not subsequently. Nitrogenous fertilizer applied when grazing ceased approximately counterbalanced the reduction in yield due to grazing. The grazing treatments had little or no effect on botanical composition. The size of the reduction in yield due to grazing was such that it might reasonably be explained in terms of the date on which grazing ceased and the amount of photosynthetic tissue left at that date. The amount of yield added during a given period in the spring appeared to be very greatly affected by the amount of photosynthetic tissue present at the beginning of that period and it is suggested that this is a partially hidden cost of winter and early spring grazing which should be more fully researched.
Evaporation-based drying rate of forage: effects of desiccants and crop density
Authors: Pitt R. E. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe application of chemical desiccants to lucerne and red clover after cutting is studied from the standpoint of increasing the drying rate in relation to pan evaporation. Significant increases in the evaporation-based drying constant are found on both first and second cuttings of these crops, but the savings of a full day's drying time is expected only for second-cut lucerne in the north-eastern U.S. climate. The effect of crop density on drying rate is also studied. In conjunction with a theoretical analysis, it is determined that the drying constant varies as γ-0.65, where γ is the areal density. The evaporation-based drying constant is then related to crop yield and the ratio of cutting width to windrow width.
Histochemical studies on bovine sweat glands
Authors: Yang S. H. 
Published: March 2009

1. Histochemical tests have been applied to the socalled sweat glands and their secretions of Zebu and Ayrshire cattle, the former to only a limited extent.2. For skin specimens of Ayrshire cattle positive reactions were obtained for ribonucleoprotein, arginine and alkaline phosphatase. Negative reactions were obtained for desoxyribonucleoprotein and acid glycerophosphatase.3. Neither the sweat glands of Ayrshire cattle nor those of Zebu cattle gave positive reactions for fats, lipids or cholesterol and its esters, although these were all present in the sebaceous glands of both breeds. Detectable amounts of phospholipid were not found in the sweat glands of the Ayrshire cattle and their secretions.4. The chemical composition of the secretion of bovine sweat glands differs markedly from that of human eccrine or apocrine sweat glands in not containing detectable amounts of glycogen, lipids and associated compounds or iron.
Cell division, cell death and hepatic DNA in relation to liver hypertrophy and regression in breeding ewes
Authors: Fell B. F. , Campbell Rosa M. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryLactation in ewes is associated with hypertrophy of the liver, due to cell proliferation and enlargement. The mean diameter of hepatic parenchymal cell nuclei increased after parturition to reach a maximum at 6 weeks, after which there was a decline.The liver regressed in weight after weaning but total DNA declined less than liver weight and remained elevated in comparison with livers of unmated ewes, while DNA concentration increased. Total liver DNA remained relatively high for approximately 6 months. It is suggested that the final fall to control values was associated with cell death and disorganization of the hepatic parenchyma.These results imply that the life span of one type of liver parenchymal cell may be at least 6 months.
Comparative semen characteristics of Corriedale, Marwari and Jaisalmeri rams maintained under hot arid conditions
Authors: Mittal J. P. , Ghosh P. K. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryThis paper describes the comparative semen characteristics (volume, motility, sperm density, number of sperms, percentage live and abnormal sperms) of Corriedale (exotic) and Marwari and Jaisalmeri (indigenous) rams during the summer and rainy seasons under the arid conditions of Jodhpur, in northwestern India. Except for sperm density, the semen of indigenous animals was superior to that of the Corriedale, although the differences recorded were not of a magnitude to cause the Corriedale sheep to be considered reproductively ineffective under hot arid conditions, if managed properly. The present findings do not conform to the earlier views of the prevalence of ‘summer sterility’ in Corriedale rams observed under hot humid conditions but there appears to be a negative relationship between semen quality and atmospheric humidity. The Corriedale sheep are recommended for improving the sheep sector in the desert areas of Rajasthan.
Effects of single or split applications of nitrogen fertilizer to in situ sugar-beet seed plants in the spring of their second year's growth
Authors: Longden P. C. , Johnson M. G. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryNine field experiments (1970–5) investigated the effects of single or split applications of nitrogen fertilizer in February, March, April and May to in situ sugar-beet seed plants in their second year's growth. All experiments were within commercial crops of existing multigerm and monogerm varieties grown on fertile, deep soils in south Lincolnshire, north Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire and on shallow limestone soils in the Cotswolds.Yield of seed averaged over years and sites ranged from 4·3 to 4·6 t/ha and so was not affected by nitrogen treatments, which also did not noticeably delay harvest. The usable proportion of seed from multigerm crops was 350–650 g/kg, and from monogerm ones 90–200 g/kg but neither was affected by nitrogen treatment. Application of nitrogen in May reduced laboratory germination by about 3% and seedling emergence in the field by about 5 seedlings per 100 fruits sown. The proportion of single seedlings fmonogermity') was not affected by nitrogen treatments, although it was affected by the monogerm or multigerm nature of the crop. An attempt to assess seed vigour was made by determining average seedling weight when grown in the field in the year following harvest, but results were inconsistent. Leaf petiole nitrate concentrations declined progressively throughout the season, but were increased by about a quarterin the month following nitrogen application. At all times they were large and probably not limiting growth. The test had no value for predicting nitrogen application rates or times.In practice it appears that the spring top dressing of nitrogen fertilizer should be made as a single application at the end of February or as soon as possible thereafter.