Cross Breeding Cockerels (Black Rhineländers and Leghorn and Black and Speckled Rhineländer) were compared with pure bred Leghorn Cockerels. Deutsche Landwirtschaftliche Geflügelzeitung, 1934, Nr. 30.

The question of utility cross breds has been appraised in wide circles, and especially by beginners, as a matter of great importance in poultry breeding. The Institute for Veterinary Research of the Prussian Experiment and Research Institute for Breeding has published a report giving the results of an experiment where in a review is given of the fattening qualities of cross bred birds. The results of this research work proved that pure Leghorns are superior to Leghorn-Rhineland cross-breds and also to Rhineländer crossbreds, with regard to mortality, increase of weight and cost of feeding. On the basis of the results achieved by him and of those which have been published previously, and in spite of contrary opinions expressed by practising poultry breeders, the writer rejects the idea that the Leghorn has been surpassed in its constitutionally established power of resistance either by other breeds, which are not so extensively kept on big farms for fattening, or by cross-bred Leghorns. The qualification of the F1 crossbred as regards laying capacity is quite a different question. The experiment was based on quite other grounds but in view of what has already been published and on the basis of what the writer has experienced with other F1 cross breds, it can now be said that the F1 cross breds do not in every case lay better than the older breeds but that very often the laying capacity of the cross breds holds a medium place between the older breeds.

Recent contributions to our knowledge of the chemistry of vitamin A. M. T. Bogert, Jour. Chem. Ed., 11, 1934, No. 4, pp. 203–207 (Ref. Experiment Station Record, Vol. 71, 1934, p. 584).

The steps leading up to the recent synthesis of perhydro vitamin A by Karrer and his coworkers are reviewed concisely, as well as other attempts made to reach this same goal. The significance of ionene as a degradation product of vitamin A is discussed, and the synthesis of the former is outlined. The possibility of many vitamin A isomers is pointed out and the fascinating opportunities of startlingly important discoveries in this field of investigation.

The Influence of S-compounds on the growth of Bacterium pullorum. S. Ito. From the Mukden Institute for Infectious Diseases of Animals, S. M. R. Co., Mukden, Manchukuo. Director: Dr. T. Kômura. Journal of the Japanese Society of Veterinary Science, Vol. 13, 1934, p. 207.

Having observed the fact that Bact. pullorum grows luxoriantly on Endo's agar, we sought for the principle of this culture medium, which promotes the growth of the present bacteria, and could ascribe it to the sulphur of sodium sulphite added to Endo's agar.

The Feathered World Year Book for 1935. Edited by O. Comyns Lewer and A. P. Thompson. 24th Year. The Feathered World, 9 Arundel Street, London, W. C. 2, price 2/6.

This book, now in its 24th year, contains nearly 600 pages, 130 articles and 300 photos. It gives a photo and description of nearly every English poultry and pigeon breed, and also provides the names and addresses of leading breeders in each variety; and articles on the latest methods now employd in England.