1. Field tests indicate that sunflower seeds are suitable as a wartime substitute for cereal grains for fowls, and that eggs produced on rations containing these seeds are excellent in both flavour and quality.

2. Digestibility trials indicate that sunflower seeds are a good source of protein and energy.

3. On an energy basis, metabolizable energy determinations indicate that sunflower seeds yield more energy than cereal grains on a weight-for-weight basis, with the exception of yellow maize.

4. Under commercial conditions of management, sunflower seeds appear to be quite palatable to poultry, but not under conditions of individual cage feeding.

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.

The scouring of cattle and sheep caused by the teart pastures of central Somerset is due to the presence of molybdenum in the herbage in amounts varying from about 20 to 100 parts per million in the dry matter.

The scouring can be prevented and cured by feeding or drenching with copper sulphate. A daily dose of 2 g. copper sulphate for cows and 1 g. for young stock, is sufficient to cure and prevent the scouring on very teart land. Less copper sulphate may be enough on mildly teart land.

1. Evidence is presented in support of the view that the average daily retention of calcium from the food by the laying fowl is of the order of 50% of the intake for average daily intakes of about 1–3·5 g. calcium.

2. It is suggested that the optimal calcium requirement of the laying fowl for sustained heavy production lies in the region of 4 g. calcium daily, and that of the standards proposed by Mitchell & McClure (1937) that based on a 50% utilization is more nearly in accord with the results of metabolism experiments.

The treatment of cereal straws with dilute NaOH solutions has been developed in this country as a means of increasing the supply of digestible carbohydraten food for cattle. Watson (1941) has dealt with the principles of the treatment and has given a brief outline of the process, and it is not proposed to discuss the process or developmental work here. It is sufficient to say that the recommended standard process consists of soaking chopped cereal straw in 10 times its weight of 1·2–1·5 % NaOH solution for periods up to 22 hr., removing the soaked material from the liquor and washing free of NaOH.

Six dairy cows were given daily 2 g. copper sulphate for 10–18 weeks, and the effect on health and copper content of the blood noted. The cows remained in perfect health during this time. The blood copper contents rose to 73% above the initial level in 10 weeks and to 133% after 18 weeks. The highest blood copper recorded was 0·264mg./100ml., which is similar to values recorded for normal oxen.

1. Teart soils contain molybdenum in amounts varying from about 0·002 to 0·010% in the surface horizon and are neutral or alkaline in reaction and often calcareous. The contents of molybdenum increase down the soil profile. Teart soils are developed from Lower Liassic materials, but all soils formed from the Lower Lias are not teart. Those which are acid in reaction in the surface horizons are not teart even if their molybdenum content is high. Others which contain little molybdenum are also not teart; such soils cover a large area in Glamorgan.

2. Molybdenum appears to be concentrated in the (uppermost) argillaceous component of the Lower Lias. The limestone contains little molybdenum. The soils of Somerset are largely derived from the upper, argillaceous component while those of Glamorgan are largely derived from the lower, limestone component. This may explain why the soils of Somerset contain much more molybdenum than those of Glamorgan.

3. Somerset soils formed from Keuper, Middle Lias, Upper Lias and Cretaceous material generally contain little molybdenum and are not teart.

4. How a knowledge of the relation between soil and teartness can be turned to practical advantage is briefly discussed.

The amounts of nitrogen and β-carotene have been determined in oat and barley plants at different stages of growth and with and without a late top dressing of nitrogenous fertilizer. The nitrogen decreases steadily until the kernels begin to fill; it is markedly increased throughout by the extra dressing. The β-carotene, which accounts for about 80% of the ‘crude’ carotene in the oven-dried material, continues to fall until it reaches very low values when the crop is ripe. There is a very close correlation between total nitrogen and carotene in the plant.

1. Clovers and Yorkshire fog are outstanding among pasture plants in their ability to absorb molybdenum from teart soils. Many teart pastures contain a fair amount of clover, but Yorkshire fog is only a very minor component of the herbage. Other grasses as well as Yorkshire fog often contain enough molybdenum to cause scouring.

2. Acidic nitrogenous fertilizers decrease teartness by suppressing clovers and by reducing molybdenum uptake by grasses.

3. Acidification of the soil by regular applications of sulphur would reduce the availability of molybdenum in the soil.

4. Basic materials, such as lime and slag, increase molybdenum uptake by grasses on acid soils which contain a fair amount of molybdenum. They also encourage clovers and should, therefore, be used only with the greatest discretion on such soils.

5. The percentage molybdenum content of newlysown grasses is low, but it increases with age. A system of short leys consisting largely of grasses would give an increased output of material of low molybdenum content.

1. Twelve pony mares were inseminated at various intervals (18 days to within 24 hr.) before ovulation with spermatozoa which had been concentrated by centrifugation and stored for 24 hr.

2. Of fourteen inseminations, only two, both within 24 hr. of ovulation, produced pregnancies.

3. The survival time of the stored spermatozoa within the female tract was concluded to be somewhat less than 24 hr.

4. It is suggested that successful inseminations with stored spermatozoa could be made 24 hr. after the injection of prolan.

This work was carried out while holding the Miss Aleen Curt Memorial Veterinary Research Scholarship from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

My thanks are due to Dr J. Hammond and Dr A. Walton for their help and encouragement and to Mr F. T. Day for the loan of the ponies and for his help and instruction in the technique of examination.