FOODS HUMAN NUTRITION.

Experiments on the digestibility of fish, A. D. HOLMES (U. S. Dept. Agr. Bul. 649 (1918), pp. 15).—In the study of the digestibility of the protein and fat supplied by some common varieties, fish in the form of "fish loaf" was served as the major part of a simple mixed diet, which also included potatoes, crackers, fruit, sugar, and tea or coffee. The results are summarized as follows:

“Considering the experiments as a whole, the very complete utilization of the protein and fat supplied by the fishes studied offer additional experimental evidence that fish is a very valuable food and that its extensive use in the dietary is especially desirable."

A biological analysis of pellagra-producing diets.-I. The dietary properties of mixtures of maize kernel and bean, E. V. MCCOLLUM and NINA SIMMONDS (Jour. Biol. Chem., 32 (1917), No. 1, pp. 29–61, figs. 24).—Continuing previous work (E. S. R., 37, pp. 61, 163), the present series of papers describes an inquiry with respect to the several dietary factors of diets consisting of the important food materials (except milk and eggs) in use in the United States. The first paper of the series describes the addition of purified food substances which must be made to combinations of the maize kernel and the navy bean to make these mixtures dietetically complete. The conclusions reached were as follows:

Like each of the two seeds individually the mixtures contain too small an amount of the "fat-soluble A" to induce optimum well-being in growing animals. The mixtures furnish a great abundance of "water-soluble B."

The most satisfactory protein mixture is found in about 80 per cent of maize and 20 per cent of beans. Such a mixture has about one-half the biological value that the total protein mixture in milk possesses.

The deficiencies of the maize and bean mixture consist in its mineral content of calcium and sodium and makes important the addition of milk or the leaves of plants.

Composition of California bean varieties, M. E. JAFFA and F. W. ALBEO (California Sta. Bul. 294 (1918), pp. 341, 343).—Analyses of 16 varieties of California beans are reported. The average composition of the seed is reported as follows: Water 9.91 per cent, ash 4.11, protein 20.84, fat 2.26, fiber 4.25, and nitrogen-free extract 58.62 per cent. The average composition of the straws was water 11.07 per cent, ash 6.97, protein 5.68, fat 1.52, crude fiber 41.1, and nitrogen-free extract 33.63 per cent; and of the pod, water 10.46 per cent, ash 7.38, protein 4.29, fat 1.15, crude fiber 30.42, and nitrogen-free extract 46.3 per cent.

Wheatless recipes from Washington headquarters (Hotel Mo., 26 (1918), No. 302, pp. 60-65).-A collection of wheatless recipes sent out by the Food

Administration to the hotel and restaurant keepers who pledged themselves to use no wheat until next harvest.

Use barley-save wheat (U. S. Dept. Agr., Office Sec. Circ. 111 (1918), pp. 4).-Recipes tested by the Office of Home Economics of the States Relations Service for the use of barley flour in place of wheat flour in quick breads, pastry, cakes, and cookies are given.

Use peanut flour to save wheat (U. S. Dept. Agr., Office Sec. Circ. 110 (1918), pp. 4).—This circular, which is a contribution from the States Relations Service, contains tested recipes for the use of peanut flour made by grinding the press cake resulting from the expression of peanut oil.

Use soy-bean flour to save wheat, meat, and fat (U. S. Dept. Agr., Office Sec. Circ. 113 (1918), pp. 4).-The soy bean press cake, which still contains some oil and all the rest of the food material originally present in the beans, "is readily ground into flour, which is of high food value and can be used in many ways in cooking." Recipes, tested by the Office of Home Economics of the States Relations Service, for the use of soy-bean flour are given.

A neglected source of valuable human food.-Cottage cheese can partly replace meats in human diets, A. E. PERKINS (Mo. Bul. Ohio Sta., 3 (1918), No. 4, pp. 128-134).-The desirability of making more cottage cheese from the skim milk and buttermilk on the farm is discussed. The fact that cottage cheese can be used in place of meats in human diets is emphasized. It is also pointed out that the whey from making cottage cheese can be successfully used for stock feeding in place of the skim milk. Suggestions for making and marketing cottage cheese are included.

Cottage cheese dishes (U. S. Dept. Agr., Office Sec. Circ. 109 (1918), rev. ed., PD. 19, figs. 7).-Recipes for many ways of serving cottage cheese and utilizing the whey are given.

Savings and savory dishes (London: A. & C. Black, Ltd., 1917, pp. 139).— A collection of pamphlets issued originally by the Patriotic Food League of Scotland. These pamphlets are designed to give hints on household economy in all matters relating to food with particular reference to war conditions. Menus and recipes are included.

[Miscellaneous food and drug topics], E. F. LADD and ALMA K. JOHNSON (North Dakota Sta. Spec. Bul., 5 (1918), No. 2, pp. 21, 27-36).-A report of the foods, beverages, and drugs recently analyzed is discussed.

Food surveys (U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Markets, Food Surveys, 1 (1918), No. 1, pp. 7). This, the initial number of this periodical, reports data as to the food surveys carried on by the Bureau of Markets and indicates the commercial stocks of important grains and grain food products in the United States on April 1. The data relates to the stocks in elevators and grain warehouses, general warehouses, grain mills, and those in the hands of wholesale grain dealers.

The commercial stocks of wheat on April 1, 1918, were apparently only 37.9 per cent of those on April 1, 1917, while those of white wheat flour were 82.9 per cent. With the exceptions of oats and buckwheat flour the stocks of the other commodities show considerable increase.

Diet standards for hard work: Supplementary rations (Lancet [London], 1918, I, No. 12, pp. 443, 444).-It is announced that the British Ministry of Food has decided to issue supplementary rations for all persons classed as heavy workers, i. e., those engaged in heavy industrial or agricultural work. The scheme does not provide an increase in the allowance of butcher's meat, but a supplementary ration, for which cards will be issued, limited to bacon, rabbits, poultry, and meat other than butcher's meat. "The increased allow*Dce will amount approximately to an advance of 50 per cent on the ration

...

upon which the supply of meat food to the population of London and neighboring counties is now based. . . . A limited number of women will share the same extra allowance of food provided their work is more strenuous than that implied by ordinary' factory work not involving exceptional physical exertion or exposure to heat or weather. . . . Professional workers are excluded from the scheme whatever the strain upon their actual muscular powers."

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ANIMAL PRODUCTION.

The rural efficiency guide.-IV, Stock book, G. C. HUMPHREY (Cleveland, Ohio: The Peoples Efficiency Pub. Co., 1918, pp. [IX]+448, pls. 4, figs. 332).— This volume deals with the following subjects: Live stock breeding and management (pp. 1-5), cattle production (pp. 7-60), diseases of cattle and treatment (pp. 61-100), horse production (pp. 101-138), diseases of horses and treatment (pp. 139-181), sheep production (pp. 183-199), diseases of sheep and treatment (pp. 200-212), swine production (pp. 213–233), and diseases of swine and treatment (pp. 234-272); includes a section, by Florence Forbes, on poultry raising, and diseases and treatment (pp. 273-402); and gives miscellaneous information of interest to stock breeders.

Proceedings of the Cut-over Land Conference of the South (Proc. Cutover Land Conf. South, 1917, pp. 244).-At this meeting, held in New Orleans, April 11-13, 1917, the employment of live stock as a very important factor in utilizing and building up the cut-over pine lands of the South was emphasized. Papers bearing especially on this phase of the subject are as follows: Experiences in Cattle Raising on Cut-over Lands, by F. B. Enochs (pp. 93–96); Beef Cattle and Hogs, by G. M. Rommel (pp. 112-125); A Survey of the Live-stock Situation, by A. M. Soule (pp. 125–141); The Animal Industry of the SouthPast, Present, and Future, by W. H. Dalrymple (pp. 142-150); Demonstration Work on Cut-over Lands, by G. E. Nesom (pp. 157-168); The Dairy Industry of the South, by C. W. Radway (pp. 174-178); Some Suggestions for Dairying on Cut-over Lands, by N. P. Hull (pp. 179–181); Tick Eradication, by E. I. Smith (pp. 182-187); The Sheep Industry of the South, by F. R. Marshall (pp. 196-201); and Forestry and Cattle Raising on the Cut-over Pine Lands of the Southern States, by J. G. Lee (pp. 217-225).

Proceedings of the Farmers' Annual Normal Institute and spring meeting of the State Board of Agriculture, compiled by C. E. CAROTHERS (Penn. Dept. Agr. Bul. 300 (1917), pp. 205).-Among others, papers were presented on the following subjects: Selecting Heavy Laying Hens by External Charac ters, by W. T. Wittman (pp. 68–72); Beef Production in Pennsylvania, by J. A. Herr (pp. 76-78); and Problems in Pork Production, by F. C. Minkler (pp. 89-106).

Receipts and shipments of live stock at the Kansas City stock yards for the year 1917 with summary for the years 1871 to 1917 (Ann. Live Stock Rpt., Kansas City Stock Yds., 1917, pp. 31).—The receipts of cattle for the year were the largest in the history of the yards, namely, 2,640,145 head. The record was also broken for horses and mules, the number received being 127,823 head. There was a large increase in the number of calves received over the year 1916 and a decrease in the number of hogs and sheep.

The live stock situation from the marketing standpoint, H. S. ARKELL (Ontario Dept. Agr. Bul. 246 (1917), pp. 21-23).-Attention is called to the importance of the live-stock industry to the Dominion of Canada and the large increase in exports during the last four years. Of the total of $372,394,380 of agricultural produce exported in the fiscal year ended March 31, 1916, animal produce contributed $105,919,190.

Survey and census of cattle in Bengal: A review (Agr. Jour. India, 12 (1917), No. 4, pp. 593–598).—A discussion of the kinds and characteristics of the cattle of the various districts of Bengal. The total number of cattle is given as 25,355,838 head, of which number 944,633 are buffaloes.

Louisiana lespedeza hay v. western timothy hay, W. H. DALRYMPLE (Baton Rouge, La.: H. D. Wilson, [1917], pp. 7).—By a comparison of chemical analyses and coefficients of digestibility of lespedeza hay and timothy hay values are drawn of the two forages. Planters are urged to produce, sell, and use the home-grown lespedeza hay instead of the more expensive western timothy hay.

The value of cider apples and pomace as foods for farm stock, B. T. P. BARKER and B. N. WALE (Univ. Bristol, Ann. Rpt. Agr. and Hort. Research Sta., 1916, pp. 78-80).-A preliminary account is given of feeding apple pomace to pigs. The results indicate that for pigs of from 55 to 60 lbs. neither cider apples nor pomace gave as satisfactory increase when fed with meals as did the meals alone. For older pigs the results were more favorable. Two analyses of apple pomace are given.

The use of the horse chestnut as a feed for animals, DECHAMBRE (Compt. Rend. Acad. Agr. France, 3 (1917), No. 32, pp. 926-940).-A compilation of work done with the horse chestnut in determining its feeding value and methods of preparation to make it palatable. Tables of analyses and coefficients of digestibility are incorporated.

Cause and prevention of rancidity in palm nut kernel cake, R. B. CALDER (Jour. Agr. Sci. [England], 7 (1916), No. 4, pp. 470-472).-The experiments reported show that the rancidity of palm nut kernel cake is due to the action of a lipase set free from a zymogen present in the seed under the influence of warmth and moisture. If the cake is heated the zymogen is usually destroyed. If the cake is kept dry and cool it remains sweet. If kept moist and warm it becomes rancid in a few days from the action of the lipase which splits the fats or oils, forming rancid fatty acids. The lipase can be destroyed by heating the moistened cake to 70° C. for a short time.

Modern ensilage practice, A. W. OLDERSHAW (Trans. Highland and Agr. Soc. Scot., 5. ser., 29 (1917), pp. 68–86, figs. 3).-A discussion of the feasibility of the silo in farm practice in England and Scotland. A history of the efforts to make silage in Great Britain is detailed, with suggestions as to types of silos and kinds of forage available. At the present time there are 40 silos in

East Anglia with indications that this number will be increased.

Making and feeding silage, E. W. SHEETS (W. Va. Univ. Agr. Ext. Dept. Circ. 154 (1917), pp. 16, figs. 3).—The making of silage is described and the feeding to different classes of live stock is discussed and rations suggested. Roughages and roots, G. E. BROWN (Breeders' Gaz., 73 (1918), No. 6, p. 259).-A method of conserving feed in Montana is described. Large barns simply covered are built and the alfalfa when cut is put in with layers of straw. The juices of the fresh alfalfa are absorbed by the straw and the whole keeps well. When fed the mixture is passed through a machine and finely cut, and is readily consumed without waste.

The author describes a method he himself followed with much success, especially in fitting horses for exhibition. Steamed mangels were put into a box while hot and mixed with cut hay, oats, and bran. The box was covered and left to steam over night, the mixture being still warm the next morning. Feed stuff analyses (Md. Agr. Col. Quart., Nos. 72 (1916), pp. 15; 76 (1917), pp. 15).-A list of feeds and analyses of samples obtained from January to May, 1916, and from June, 1916, to May, 1917, inclusive, are given. The 80208°-18-No. 3- -6

materials were, as a rule, proprietary by-products from the manufacture of oils, alcohol, whisky, beer, breakfast foods, etc., or mixtures of them with refuse molasses, but also included meat meal and tankage, brewers' and distillers' grains, cottonseed meal, linseed meal, dried beef pulp, alfalfa meal, gluten feed, and corn oil meal. The examination of wheat bran, middlings, corn meal, and similar feeds was limited in most cases to a microscopical test for adulterants.

Commercial feeding stuffs and registrations for 1917, C. S. CATHCART ET AL. (New Jersey Stas. Bul. 311 (1917), pp. 5-100).—-Results are given of the inspection of feeding stuffs in the State during the year 1917, including tabulated analyses of the following feeding stuffs: Alfalfa meal, blood meal, brewers' dried grains, buckwheat middlings, buckwheat offal, coconut meal, cottonseed feed, cottonseed meal, corn bran, corn feed meal, gluten feed, gluten meal, corn oil cake meal, corn and cob meal, distillers' dried grains, dried beet pulp, feeding flour, fish scrap, hominy meal and feed, linseed meal, malt sprouts, meat scrap, oat hulls, peanut meal, rye bran, rye middlings, shredded wheat waste, vegetable tankage, wheat bran, wheat middlings, and mixed and proprietary feeds. Of the 1,103 samples examined 10 per cent were deficient in protein and 9.3 per cent in fat. A list of manufacturers who registered feeding stuffs for sale in 1917 is appended.

Feeding stuffs report, 1916, J. W. KELLOGG (Penn. Dept. Agr. Bul. 295 (1917), pp. 269).—During the year samples collected for inspection totaled 1,148, while 263 special samples were sent in for analysis. The number of deficiencies increased somewhat over 1915, especially with cottonseed meals. The poultry feeds showed improvement with a smaller incorporation of weed seeds. Several of the proprietary feeds carrying molasses were found to be moldy. The gross dulterations were few in number.

Analytical results and microscopical examinations reported covered the following: Oil-cake meals, distillery and brewery by-products, maize byproducts, wheat offals, rye offals, wheat and rye offals, oat by-products, buckwheat offals, alfalfa meal, dried beet pulp, proprietary and miscellaneous mixed feeds, animal by-products, and condimental stock and poultry feeds. Feeding stuffs report, G. G. HUTCHISON (Penn. Dept. Agr. Bul. 290 (1917), pp. 80-100).-A report on the feeding stuffs trade and control read at the fortieth annual meeting of the Pennsylvania State Board of Agriculture at Harrisburg, Pa., January 23 and 24, 1917.

Basal katabolism of cattle and other species, H. P. ARMSBY, J. A. FRIES, and W. W. BRAMAN (Jour. Agr. Research [U. S.], 13 (1918), No. 1, pp. 43-57, figs. 8). The work here reported is a part of cooperative investigations between the Bureau of Animal Industry of the U. S. Department of Agriculture and the Institute of Animal Nutrition of the Pennsylvania State College. The authors state that the term "basal katabolism" is generally accepted as a convenient designation for that portion of the katabolism due to the fundamental vital processes as distinguished, on the one hand, from that arising from external muscular activities and. on the other hand, from that caused by the ingestion of food. It is the katabolism of the animal in a state of complete muscular rest and with the processes of digestion and resorption suspended.

Results are given of 27 determinations of the daily basal katabolism of unfattened cattle of different weights and ages. These results are compared with those secured by other workers with man, cattle, swine, and horses.

The basal katabolism, whether computed lying or standing or for an equal proportion of each, was found to be equally well correlated with the estimated