In the preparation of lime-sulphur solutions used for spraying purposes by boiling together lime, sulphur and water, the following equations represent reactions which might occur primarily:

(1) 3CaH2O2 + S4 = 2CaS + CaS2O3 + 3H2O,

(2) 3CaH2O2 + S12 = 2CaS5 + CaS2O3 + 3H3O.

According to the above equations 3 molecules slaked lime CaH2O2 or 3 molecules of quick lime CaO may combine with 4 to 12 atoms sulphur; or 1 part of quick lime (by weight) should combine with ·7619 to 2·2857 parts of sulphur.

1. Fifty buffalo-cows were used for studying the pH of the vaginal secretion at different stages of the sex cycle.

2. Highly significant differences were found in the pH value of the vaginal secretions during the different stages of the sex cycle. The average was 7·3 during oestrus, 8·1 during dioestrus and 8·3 during pregnancy.

It may be concluded from this trial that the making of stack silage is a useful method of conserving surplus grass, particularly of the after-math type, when good haymaking weather may not obtain. Though no actual feeding trials were carried out with the silage, it was fed to stock with satisfactory results and formed a large proportion of their winterration.

(1) The solubility of the potash in 34 soil samples from 13 soils typical of large areas in the East of Scotland has been determined by the methods of chemical analysis using (a) hot concentrated hydrochloric acid, and (b) 1 per cent, citric acid solution, and the values obtained compared with the quantities of potash existing in the exchangeable form. The total mineral potash has been determined for six samples and Neubauer's method of analysis has been applied to 10 samples and again compared with the exchangeable potash.

(2) The average value of the total mineral potash in the soils examined was 2·04 per cent., which indicates the presence of comparatively large reserves of potash in these soils. No relation was found to exist between the total potash, and the quantities soluble in hot concentrated hydrochloric acid.

(3) The average value of the HCl-soluble potash was 0·50 per cent, and in the profile samples there was generally an increase in solubility with increase in depth of soil.

From a mixed group of cross-bred steers slaughtered at the same age, up to 12 carcasses of similar weight from each of the five conformation classes were chosen using the European Economic Community (EEC) scale for the classification of carcasses of adult bovine animals. In the hindquarter of carcasses with better conformation the ratio of muscle to bone was higher with less internal fat and more subcutaneous fat, muscles were heavier and blockier, both the carcass and leg length were shorter. Short-thick muscles were associated with short-thick bones. The results indicate that the EEC scale is a useful method to discriminate between carcasses differing in composition. It is suggested that differences in muscle: bone ratio in cattle could reflect differences in the structure and shape of bones. The conclusions remain tentative until they are confirmed on a larger number of carcasses.

The objective of this study is to provide approaches to determine the mature weight of intact male hair sheep using body composition data. To estimate empty body weight (EBW) at maturity, we used information from eight independent studies comprising a total of 250 intact males in growing and finishing phases. The quantitative data used for each animal were body weight (BW), EBW, water-free EBW protein content, water-free EBW fat content, water-free EBW ash content and EBW water content. The water, protein, fat and ash contents in the EBW and water-free EBW were predicted by non-linear regressions. The best model was chosen considering the achievement of convergence and capacity for biological explanation. The standard deviation of the asymptotic EBW was computed using a simulation method based on a Monte Carlo approach. Among the non-linear evaluations, only the allometric function converged with the parameters within the expected biological limits. To estimate mature EBW, only protein and fat were suitable to predict estimates with the capacity to biological explanation. The water and protein contents in the EBW were closely associated. Animal maturity can be estimated mathematically using body composition. Maturity was reached at an EBW of 47.3 and 57.5 kg when protein and fat were used as a predictor, respectively. We conclude that protein is a good predictor of maturity for intact male hair sheep.

Sugar beet has never been grown commercially in Cyprus. Sugarcane was grown in the Middle Ages but its cultivation has since gradually declined, and none has been grown in the last 200 years (Aristidou, 1986). Recently a research programme was undertaken to assess the feasibility of growing sugar beet so that imports of sugar may be reduced. Sugar yields of up to 20 t/ha (165 t fresh roots/ha) were obtained in a coastal area (Akhelia) when the crop was sown in November and harvested in July–September (Hadjichristodoulou, 1984, 1987). Because the period April–October is practically rainless, the crop has to be irrigated, but with November sowing full advantage is also taken of the winter rainfall.

Evidence is presented, based on feeding tests, that at Hanns Hall Farm it has been impossible to control bacillary white diarrhoea of chicks (pullorum disease) by blood testing when foods of c. 20% protein content have been fed as the sole diet of chicks.

Evidence is presented, based on feeding tests, that at Hanns Hall Farm epidemic bacillary white diarrhoea (pullorum disease) has occurred in brother chicks when fed foods of c. 20% protein content and that epidemic bacillary white, diarrhoea has not occurred in sister chicks which have been fed crushed oats for the first 72 hr. and thereafter have been fed a diet of c. 14% protein intake.

Evidence is presented, based on feeding tests, that at Hanns Hall Farm epidemic bacillary white diarrhoea (pullorum disease) not only did not occur in sister chicks in which B. pullorum had been demonstrated to be present in one of their number, but also epidemic bacillary white diarrhoea failed to develop despite the lack of hygienic precautions when these chicks had been placed in an uncleansed brooder from which the survivors of a severe epidemic of this disease had just been removed, and when they were brooded adjacent to chicks which suffered severe mortality from the disease, thereby undergoing all the chances of infection by wide dissemination of B. pullorum within a small area.

Among the four varieties of rice tested, the leaves of short varieties had much chlorophyll per unit leaf area and slow chlorophyll degradation, while those of tall ones showed less chlorophyll content and its rapid degradation.

Stimulatory effects upon germination and growth were observed in a very wide range of dosages, upon exposing seeds and seedlings to the radiation from a radioactive mud of Hungarian origin. Emanation was not excluded, but interposed lead sheet practically abolished the significant differences. Stimulation was observed whether the seeds were placed directly in contact with, or at a little distance from, all but the largest amounts of mud. Treatment of seeds, before sowing, with the radiation from large amounts of mud for periods exceeding about 48 hours was harmful to germination and to growth; this harmful effect was more marked when the seeds were moistened.

The degree and the kind of stimulation varied with the kind of seed and its history. Wheat seeds treated with vital stains showed responses to irradiation which appeared to depend upon the stain.

The net assimilation rates (NAR) of three genotypes of cotton differing in their growth habit were studied under different spacings. The NARs of a very bushy type, G 67, and a comparatively less spreading type, IAN 560, were the same but that of a compact type, IAN 579, was twice as much when the leaf area index (LAI) was one. Though subsequently in G 67 and IAN 560 NAR under varying spacings either decreased less rapidly or remained steady, the decrease was nearly Hnear with increasing LAI. However, for IAN 579 dependence of NAR on LAI was generally positive indicating genotypic improvement. Under different spacings the leaf-density dependance of NAR appeared to have been decreased in IAN 560, but was nearly absent in IAN 579 with more efficiency towards increasing the yield of seed cotton.

1. Increase of acidity with depth, is a common feature of Nigerian soils.

2. Examples and possible explanations are given for three types of acidity increase with depth. In the first, the greater acidity is confined to the depths immediately below the surface and is possibly dependent on a permanently undisturbed vegetation. In the second, the acidity continues to increase to a certain depth below which there is a regular decrease. This is more evident on mature soils, and may be dependent on a short but intense rainfall followed by a prolonged drought. In immature soils, derived from igneous acidic rocks under alternate wet and dry seasons, the acidity increases steadily with depth into the decaying rock mass.

The fatty acid composition of the plasma free fatty acid and adipose tissue triacylglycerol fractions was determined in lean and fat selection lines of Texel-Oxford and Scottish Blackface sheep at the 6th year of divergent selection. The mean proportion of 18[ratio ]2n-6 in the triacylglycerol of subcutaneous backfat was 1·3-fold higher in the phenotypically fatter sheep in the fat lines than in the phenotypically leaner sheep in the lean lines. Regression analysis indicated a positive relationship between this fatty acid and backfat depth whereas the proportion of 18[ratio ]1n-9 in the tissue triacylglycerol was negatively related to fatness. The proportions of 18[ratio ]2n-6 and of other polyunsaturated fatty acids in the plasma free fatty acid fraction were much higher than in adipose triacylglycerol. For the Scottish Blackface sheep in the fed state, the mean proportion of 18[ratio ]2n-6 in plasma free fatty acid (measured on all sheep) was 1·4-fold greater in the fat line than in the lean line. Regression analysis indicated a positive relationship between the plasma content of this fatty acid and backfat thickness whereas the proportion of 18[ratio ]1n-9 in plasma free fatty acid showed a negative relationship with fatness. The relationship between the plasma proportion of 18[ratio ]2n-6 and fatness was not observed after 48 h of fasting; instead, the plasma proportion of 18[ratio ]0 was found to be positively related to fatness in the fasted state. In summary, this paper shows how plasma and adipose tissue fatty acid profiles differ, and it quantifies the effects of selection on the plasma profiles. Possible reasons for the difference in fatty acid profiles between adipose tissue and plasma are discussed in the paper. It is suggested that plasma 18[ratio ]2n-6 levels during the early post-weaning growth period should be investigated as indicators of future fatness.

The serum protein-bound iodine concentration in the blood of beef steers varied between animals and was not correlated with the daily gain during the fattening period. The data, however, are insufficient to arrive at a definite conclusion.

The average erythrocyte counts of the blood were 7·86 (range: 5·89–8·75), 8·59 (range: 6·55–10·15), and 8·54 (range: 5·23–9·62) million per mm.3 for steers of 14, 26 and 38 months of age. The difference between the counts of the yearlings and that of the other age groups was statistically significant. The red cell fraction increased with live weight over the range 700–1230 lb. Although a significant (P < 0·01) correlation was found between the number of erythrocytes in the blood and the daily gain of the steers, the erythrocyte count cannot be employed to predict the possible gaining ability of single beef animals.

The haemoglobin content of the blood was found to be 14·02 (range: 9·8–17·4) in the case of the yearlings, 14·68 (range: 11·8–18·5)and 14·61 (range: 7·95–16·85) g./100 ml. blood in the case of the 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds respectively. These differences between age groups were not significant.

A correlation of 0·31 was found between the haemoglobin content and live weight of steers within the weight range of 600–1230 lb. The data suggest that for every 100% increase in weight, the haemoglobin in the blood increased by 17%. No correlation was found between the haemoglobin content and the rate of gain of the steers.