ALBERT

Notes: This paper is concerned with a new technique (the terrestrial/photogrammetric (TP) technique) for the detection and compensation of systematic height errors in block aerial triangulation. The technique improves the height accuracy of such triangulation by reducing the original bridging distance, using new bands of corrected photogrammetric tie points as height control together with the original bands of the terrestrial (or ground) height control. A number of photogrammetric blocks with different characteristics and configurations have been tested in a comprehensive manner. The tests show that the TP technique gives consistent results over a wide range of circumstances and that it is a most effective, simple and inexpensive method for the compensation of systematic errors.〈section xml:id="abs1-2"〉〈title type="main"〉RésuméCet article relate une technique nouvelle permettant de détecter et de compenser les erreurs altimétriques systématiques dans l'aérotriangulation par blocs: la technique terrestre/photogrammétrique (TP). Cette technique améliore la précision altimétrique de l'aérotriangulation en réduisant la distance de l'aérocheminement original, grâce à l'utilisation d'un canevas de points d'appuis altimétriques composés de points de liaison photogrammétriques corrigés, en supplément du canevas original de points d'appui altimétriques déterminés sur le terrain.On a essayé de manière approfondie un grand nombre de blocs dotés de caractéristiques et de configurations diverses. Les essais montrent que la technique TP fournit des résultats fiables dans un large éventail de circonstances et que c'est une méthode de compensation des erreurs systématiques efficace, simple et peu coûteuse.〈section xml:id="abs1-3"〉〈title type="main"〉ZusammenfassungIm Artikel wird ein neues Verfahren behandelt (das terrestrisch-photogrammetrische Verfahren (TP)), das zur Aufdeckung und Kompensation system-atischer Höhenfehler in der Block triangulation dient. Es wird die Höhengenauigkeit durch Verkürzung der ursprünglichen Überbrückungsdistanz verbessert, indem neue Streifen korrigierter Verbindungspunkte als Höhenpasspunkte zusammen mit den ursprünglichen Reihen der terrestrischen Höhenpasspunkte verwendet werden. Eine Anzahl photogrammetrischer Blöcke unterschiedlicher Figur und Charakteristik wurde umfassend getestet. Die Tests zeigen, dass die TP-Methode konstante Ergebnisse für einen grossen Bereich van Möglichkeiten ergibt und dass es ein höchst effektives, einfaches und billiges Verfahren zur Eliminierung systematischer Fehler ist.

Notes: During June and July 1981, synthetic aperture radar imagery was acquired of selected sites in ten European countries as part of the European SAR 580 campaign. Evaluation of this imagery in the UK will be carried out by 18 approved experiments (out of 56 for Europe) when the processed data becomes available to investigators. To assist the evaluation process, a review is given of some recent research on applications of imaging radar in agricultural and urban areas. Research is described which considered the effects of terrain parameters and radar parameters on crop classification accuracy. The relative merits of a quantitative or a qualitative approach in classification of radar data are considered. Combined use of radar and Landsat data achieves a marked improvement in classification accuracy. The development of spatial filtering techniques may assist in the problem in urban areas resulting from the dependence of image tone on the relative alignment of ground features and radar look direction.〈section xml:id="abs1-2"〉〈title type="main"〉RésuméPendant les mois dejuin et juillet 1981, on a, dans le cadre de la campagne européenne SAR 580, recueilli des données de radar imageur à synthèse d'ouverture sur des sites choisis dans une dizaine de pays d'Europe. Ces données seront évaluées au Royaume-Uni au moyen de 18 expériences ayant été acceptées (sur un total de 56 menées en Europe); ce travail commencera dès que les données une fois traitées seront distribuées aux chercheurs. Pour accompagner cette procédure d'evaluation, on fournit une analyse de quelques recherches récentes sur les applications de l'imagerie radar aux zones agricoles et urbaines.L'une de ces recherches prenait en compte les effets des paramètres liés au terrain sur l'exactitude de la classification des cultures. Les mérites réciproques des approches quantitatives et qualitatives dans la classification des données radar sont également examinés.Le recours à une combinaison de données radar et Landsat permet d'améliorer de manière significative l'exactitude de la classification. La mise en oeuvre des techniques de filtrage spatial peut aider à réduire, dans les zones urbaines, les conséquences néfastes sur la tonalité de l'image, d'objets au sol en alignement relatif avec la direction d'observation du radar.〈section xml:id="abs1-3"〉〈title type="main"〉ZusammenfassungIm Juni und Juli 1981 erfolgten Radaraufnahmen mittels synthetischer Apertur von ausgewählten Gebieten in 10 europäischen Ländern als Teil der Europäischen SAR 580 Kampagne. Die Analyse dieser Aufzeichnungen wird im Vereinigten Königreich durch 18 (aus insgesamt 56 für Europa) bestätigte Experimente erfolgen, nachdem die Daten zur Verfügung stehen. Um den Analysenprozess zu unterstützen, wird ein Überblick über kürzliche Forschungen zu Radaraufzeichnungen in landwirtschaftlichen und städtischen Gebieten gegeben. Es werden auch Forschungen beschrieben, bei denen die Einflüsse von Geländeparametern auf die Genauigkeit der Ernteklassifizierung untersucht wurden. Der relative Wert eines quantitativen oder qualitativen Versuchs zur Klassifizierung von Radardaten wird abgeschätzt. Eine Kombination von Radarund Landsat-Daten ergibt eine merkliche Verbesserung bei Klassifizierungsgenauigkeit. Die Entwicklung von Verfahren der räumlichen Filterung kann von Wert bei städtischen Gebieten sein, weil es eine Abhängigkeit des Grauwertes von der relativen Ausdehnung von Geländecharakteristika und der Richtung der Radaraufnahme gibt.

Notes: Some aspects of the XYZBLC suite of programs for aerial triangulation are described. The Ordnance Survey Bute block of photography at a scale of 1: 24000 is computed by independent models using XYZBLC. Three of the strips in the block are treated as a test block and are computed with different configurations of control. Conclusions are drawn with regard to the usefulness of height control doublets and other dense control configurations.〈section xml:id="abs1-2"〉〈title type="main"〉Résumé Quelques aspects de l'ensemble XYZBLC de logiciels d'aérotriangulation sont décrits. Le bloc Bute de l'Ordnance Survey, composé de photographies à l'échelle du 1: 24000, a été calculé par modèles indépendants avec les logiciels XYZBLC. On a considéré trois des bandes du bloc comme formant un bloc d'essai et on les a calculées avec diverses combinaisons de canevas de points d'appui. On en tire des conclusions quant à l'utilité des doublets de points d'appui altimétriques et de diverses autres configurations denses de canevas d'appui. 〈section xml:id="abs1-3"〉〈title type="main"〉Zusammenfassung Beschreibung einiger Aspekte des XYZBLC-Programmsystems zur Aero-triangulation. Ein Block des Ordnance Survey im Bildmassstab 1: 24000 wurde damit nach der Methode der unabhängigen Modelle berechnet. Drei der Streifen des Blocks wurden als Testblock behandelt und mit verschiedenen Passpunktanordnungen berechnet. Es werden Schlussfolgerungen in bezug auf die Nützlichkeit von Zwillingspunkten zur Höhenorientierung und andere dichte Passpunktanordnungen gezogen.

Notes: The wide availability of reconnaissance frame photography, together with the advantage of high image resolution that such photography provides and the extreme flight conditions under which it can be taken, means that it is of great interest to photogrammetrists. However, the geometry of the image is invariably distorted due to the mode of operation of the camera. In this paper, the effects of the focal plane shutter and apparent image motion compensation on the geometry of the photographs are considered.〈section xml:id="abs1-2"〉〈title type="main"〉RésuméLe fait que la photographic de reconnaissance soil très répandue, conjointe-ment aux avantages que présente la grande résolution des images fournies par ces systèmes et les conditions extrêmes de vol dans lesquelles on peut les prendre, milite pour une prise en compte de lew intérêt par les photogrammètres. Toutefois la géométrie de ces images est systématiquement déformée par suite du mode de fonctionnement de la chambre. On traite dans cet article des effets de l'obturateur focal et de la compensation du filé de l'image sur la géométrie des photographies.〈section xml:id="abs1-3"〉〈title type="main"〉ZusammenfassungDie grosse Verbreitung von Erkundungsfotos zusammen mit der grossen Auflösung solcher Fotos und den extremen Bedingungen unter denen sie auf-genommen wurden, lassen diese auch für den Photogrammeter interessant erscheinen. Die Geometrie dieser Bilder ist jedoch infolge der speziellen Kamera-funktion verzerrt. Im Artikel werden die Einflüsse des Schlitzverschlusses und des Bildwanderungsausgleichs auf die Bildgeometrie untersucht.

Notes: Book Reviewed in this article:AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY. By G. S. Kumar.MANUAL OF PHOTOGRAMMETRY (Fourth Edition). Editor-in-Chief: C. C. Slama.

Notes: The paper gives, for a large number of cases, numerical errors due to using approximate, first-order, formulae for correcting x-parallaxes for tilt. The figures show that the errors are considerably smaller than might be expected. It is also shown that the root mean square of the four tilts of a pair of pictures is a reliable measure from which the effect of tilt on heights can be estimated with some confidence.

Notes: Research work is being undertaken by the Department of Orthodontics at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, which involves studying the growth of children's faces in three dimensions. In evaluating the morphology of soft tissues, the advantages offered by photogrammetry have been recognised and this paper describes how the technique has been put into practice at the hospital where a stereometric instrument, equally suitable for use as a camera or as a projection plotter, has been constructed.

Notes: Equipment manufactured in connexion with the special applications of photogrammetry has developed from very early designs, often with remarkably few changes. The first section of the paper traces this evolution up to the present time.Architectural photogrammetry has been, since Meydenbauer, one of the most important of these special applications and the second part describes some recent work of this type in England and Jordan.

Notes: The problem of incorporating airborne auxiliary data into an aerial triangulation block adjustment is considered. The conclusion is reached that this problem can be most readily solved by the use of a fully rigorous adjustment method. The first order adjustment equations for all types of airborne auxiliary control are developed and the method of incorporating these equations into the block solution is demonstrated. The general computing problems of the aerial triangulation block adjustment are briefly discussed and a method outlined for the incorporation of tie strips, at any angle across the block, into the adjustment without unduly increasing the storage requirements for the solution. The problem of correctly weighting the different types of available data is discussed. The paper concludes with a demonstration of the improved accuracy possible if precise aerial triangulation data are combined with apparently crude absolute airborne data.

Notes: The algorithm presented assumes a preliminary determination of the elements of inner orientation and bases its mathematical model on the collinearity condition, from which projective equations are derived. Linearisation of condition equations is based on Taylor's expansion, whilst the subsequent solution follows iteration cycles. The method aims to derive composite corrections to image coordinates, with the aid of test field data.〈section xml:id="abs1-2"〉〈title type="main"〉RésuméL'auteur présente un algorithme oú l'on suppose déterminés au préalable les éléments d'orientation interne. La modélisation mathématique s'appuie sur les conditions de co-linéarité et sur les équations qui en résultent en projection. On linéarise les équations de conditions en utilisant un développement en série de Taylor, et l'on obtient la solution correspondante par itération. La méthode vise à apporter des corrections aux coordonnées images en utilisant les données d'un polygone d'essai.〈section xml:id="abs1-3"〉〈title type="main"〉ZusammenfassungBei dem dargestellten Algorithmus wird die vorläufige Bestimmung der Elemente der inneren Orientierung angenommen, und das mathematische Modell basiert aufder Kollinearitätsgleichung, woraus perspektive Gleichungen abgeleitet werden. Die Linearisierung der Bedingungsgleichungen erfolgt durch Anwendung der Taylor-Reihe, was für die folgenden Berechnungen einen iterativen Prozess bedingt. Mit der Methode wird angestrebt, Bildkoordinaten mit Hilfe von Testfelddaten zu verbessern.

Notes: There is a growing interest in the potential of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for mapping and for gathering intelligence for map revision. This paper first gives a simple guide to the characteristics of SAR and then describes a study carried out to investigate the geometric properties of the imagery and the information content which is of interest for topographic mapping and the production of large scale plans. The conclusions cautiously indicate a potential although better quality images are required and more information must be known about the optimum conditions which should obtain when the data are recorded.〈section xml:id="abs1-2"〉〈title type="main"〉RésuméOn assiste à un intérét croissant envers le radar à ouverture synthétique (SAR) et ses possibilityés pour la cartographie et pour la collecte de renseignements utiles à la révision. Ce texte commence par donner un simple rappel des caractéristiques de ces radars pour décrire ensuite une étude effectuée sur le contenu informatif et les proprietyés géométriques de l'imagerie radar, qui intèresse la cartographie topographique et la confection de plans à grande échelle.Les conclusions font prudemment état d'une potentialité mais soulignent qu'il faudrait disposer d'images de meilleure qualityé et avoir davantage d'informations sur les conditions optimales à respecter lors de l'enregistrement des données.〈section xml:id="abs1-3"〉〈title type="main"〉ZusammenfassungEs besteht zunehmendes Interesse an den Möglichkeiten von Radaraufnahmen mittels synthetischer Apertur (SAR) zur Kartenherstellung und Erfassung von Daten zur Laufendhaltung. Zunächst wird im Artikel eine einfache Einführung in die SAR-Charakteristika gegeben. Dann erfolgt eine Beschreibung eines Versuches zur Untersuchung der geometrischen Eigenschaften und des Informationsgehalts, der von Interesse für die Herstellung topographischer und grossmassstäbiger Karten ist. Vorsichtige Schlussfolgerungen ergeben Möglichkeiten zur Verwendung solcher Informationen, wobeijedoch eine bessere Bildqualität zu fordern ist. Auch müssen noch mehr Kenntnisse über die optimalen Bedingungen bezüglich der Datenregistrierung bestehen.

Notes: Landsat multispectral scanner (MSS) and return beam vidicon (RBV) image data in both analogue and digital formats were used to assess the performance of the MSS and RBV sensor systems, and to determine their potential for recording information associated with topographic or land use maps of selected Chinese study areas (Beijing, Tianjin and the Huang He elbow). MSS images permitted the detection of 40 per cent to 50 per cent of the features identified on maps of 1: 250000 scale and larger, whereas the higher resolution Landsat 3 RBV images provided 10 per cent to 20 per cent additional information. Completeness of information extracted from a colour cathode ray tube display exceeded that obtained from analogue single band black and white MSS images by only 5 per cent to 10 per cent. Only through major improvements in spatial resolution will it be possible to compile maps at scales of 1: 250000 and larger from satellite data. Significantly, it appears that instantaneous field of view values of 5 m to 10 m will be required to produce image data of sufficient resolution for topographic mapping or detailed thematic studies of the Asian environment.〈section xml:id="abs1-2"〉〈title type="main"〉Résumé On a utilisé les données de l'imagerie spatiale provenant du scanneur multispectral (MSS) et du tube vidicon à retour de faisceau (RBV) de Landsat, à la fois sous forme analogique et numérique, pour évaluer la performance des systèmes de capteurs MSS et RBV, et pour déterminer leur aptitude à contenir l'information figurant dans les cartes topographiques et les cartes d'occupation du sol, sur des polygones d'essais sélectionnés en Chine (Pekin, Tianjin, et le coude du Huan He). Les images MSS ont permis de détecter 40 à 50 pour cent des détails figurant sur les cartes à une échelle supérieure ou égale à 1: 250000, tandis que les images RBV à meilleure résolution de Landsat C fournissaient 10 à 20 pour cent d'informations supplémentaires. Le volume des informations extraites sur un écran cathodique de visualisation en couleurs n'a dépassé le volume obtenu à partir d'images d'une seule bande MSS en noir et blanc que de 5 à 10 pour cent seulement. Il semble que ce ne soit que par des améliorations importantes dans la résolution spatiale que l'on pourra tirer des données de satellites des cartes à des échelles supérieures ou égales à 1: 250000. Il apparait de manière significative qu'un champ instantané de prise de vues de 5 à 10 m (pixel) sera nécessaire pour obtenir des images ayant une résolution suffisante pour la cartographie topographique ou pour des études thématiques détaillées sur l'environnement asiatique.〈section xml:id="abs1-3"〉〈title type="main"〉Zusammenfassung Verwendung von Landsat-aufzeichnungen, die mit Hilfe des multispektralen Scanners (MSS) und des Return Beam Vidicon (RBV) aufgenommen wurden und sowohl in analoger als auch digitaler Form vorlagen. um die Leistungsfähigkeit dieser Aufnahmesysteme zu ermitteln und die Möglichkeiten zur Gewinnung von Informationen zur Herstellung von topographischen oder Landnutzungskarten in ausgewählten chinesischen Versuchsgebieten (Beijing, Tianjin undder Huang He Bogen). MSS-Bilder gestatteten die Erkennung von 40 bis 50% der auf Karten im Massstab 1: 250 000 oder grösser identifizierten Objekte, während die RBV-Bilder von Landsat 3, die eine grössere Auflösung hatten, 10 bis 20% zusätzliche Informationen lieferten.Die Vollständigkeit der Information, die von einem Farbdisplay erhalten wurde, überstieg die von analogen einkanaligen schwarzweissen MSS-Bildern erhaltenen nur um 5 bis 10%. Nur durch wesentliche Verbesserungen der Objektauflösung wird es möglich sein, Karten 1: 250000 und grösser nach Satellitendaten herzustellen. Es wird offensichtlich eine Objecktauflösung von 5 bis 10m gefordert, um Bilddaten genügender Auflösung für die Herstellung topographischer Karten oder thematischer Studien des asiatischen Raums zu erzeugen.

Notes: The main object of the experiment was to assess the effect of the relative proportion of non-protein nitrogen (NPN) to total nitrogen in silage on digestion in the sheep. Four unwilted perennial ryegrass silages were made with the addition of formic acid at 0, 2·2, 4·2 and 5·2 litres t-1 to provide foods with NPN proportions reducing from 0·26 to 0·20 of the total N. The digestion of the silages was studied in a 4 × 4 Latin Square experiment with sheep cannulated in the rumen, proximal duodenum and terminal ileum.Results for organic matter (OM), cellulose and N showed no major difference between silages in their digestion in the rumen, small intestine and caecum and colon, though small differences (P 〈0·25) in rumen fermentation pattern and in the proportion of digestible OM disappearing in the small intestine were observed. Concentrations of ammonia N in the rumen and rates of rumen bacterial protein synthesis did not differ significantly between silages and there were no treatment effects on the passage of individual amino acids to the small intestine. The results indicate that the proportions of NPN to total N in the silages examined had little influence on the efficiency of silage N utilization in the rumen or on the passage of undegraded dietary protein to the small intestine.

Notes: Two experiments were carried out to determine whether the differences in intake and feeding value previously shown between two grass cultivars when offered to ruminants as chopped artificially dehydrated (dried) material could also be demonstrated when the grasses were offered in other forms. Two cultivars of tetraploid Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), Sabalan and Tetila, were established in the same field in 1975. In 1976 they were grazed and conserved (two cuts of primary growth) as dried material or as silage.The composition of the herbage selected at pasture and conserved showed higher concentrations of normal detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre in the dry matter for Tetila than for Sabalan, but differences between cultivars in digestibility were small. In both grazing and winter feeding trials differences in voluntary intake between the two cultivars were not significant, but at pasture young beef cattle spent less time grazing and tended to spend more time ruminating on Tetila than Sabalan. There was no measure of animal performance at pasture but liveweight gain was 15% higher for Sabalan than Tetila when both were offered to young beef cattle as the sole feed of dried grass or of silage. The voluntary intakes of the three forms of feed were very similar, which in part reflected a similarity in digestibility. However, gains were lower for calves given silage than those given dried grass. This may have been due to a lower efficiency in the utilization of the nitrogeneous components of silage for tissue growth than those of dried grass.

Notes: Four grass silages, all made in mid-July from second-harvest perennial ryegrass swards, were compared in a 16-week feeding experiment with twelve Ayrshire cows. Two silages were unwilted and two wilted. All the silages received formic acid (‘Add-F’) at the rate of 3 litres t-1 either with formalin at the rate of 1 litre t-1 or without formalin. The unwilted and wilted silages had mean dry matter (DM) concentrations of 200 and 243 g kg-1, and in vitro D-values of 0·293 and 0·272 respectively. The silages were offered ad libitum plus 6 kg concentrates per cow per day. The daily intakes of unwilted and wilted silage DM were 10·2 and 9·2 kg per cow respectively on the formic acid treatment, and 10·2 and 9·2 kg on the formic acid + formalin treatment. The mean daily milk yield on the unwilted silage treatments was 19·2 kg per cow which was significantly higher than the yield of 17·2 kg per cow on the wilted silage treatments. The formalin had no significant effect on milk yield. The four silage treatments had small and non-significant effects on milk composition. It is concluded that the unwilted silages, which had excellent fermentation characteristics, were superior to the wilted silages as a feed for dairy cows.

Notes: Book review in this article Forage Evaluation: Concepts and Techniques Edited by J. L. Wheeler and R. D. Mochrie Improved Feeding of Cattle and Sheep By P. N. Wilson and T. D. A. Brigstocke Nitrogen Cycling in West African Ecosystems Edited by T. Rosswall Land Evaluation By S. G. McRae and C. P. Burnham

Notes: Three field experiments showed that perennial ryegrass can be successfully slot-seeded into an existing Festuca-Agrostis sward. Ryegrass survival was satisfactory in all cases but was improved on a low fertility site by the application of fertilizer N, P and K in the slot at sowing.The effect of varying inter-row spacing from 37·2 to 15 cm was measured in a 3-year experiment. In year one, involving seven cuts, slot-seeding increased total herbage dry matter harvested by a mean value of 17%; inter-row distances of 22·2-30 cm gave the optimal combination of ryegrass + old sward herbage. Differences in yield between inter-row spacings declined in the subsequent two years, as the rows of ryegrass thickened. Ryegrass digestibility (measured only in year two, from six cuts) was higher than that of the old sward; total metabolizable energy harvested from 15-cm rows was 20% higher than that from unsown controls. Increasing N input from 200 to 400 kg ha-1, starting in year two, only produced a significant increase in total herbage harvested in year three but proved effective in increasing the ryegrass contribution from the wider spaced rows.

Notes: In three separate feeding experiments using a total of thirty individually-housed Ayrshire cows three silages made from perennial ryegrass were given ad libitum together with supplements of four different hays in the long form. The in vitro D-values of the silages ranged from 0·298 to 0·283, and the hays from 0·280 to 0·200. The daily intake of hay DM varied from 0·2 to 4·2 kg per cow and was given either without or with a daily maximum of 2·2 kg concentrate DM containing 379–527 g CP per kg DM. On average, 1 kg hay DM decreased silage intake by 0·24 kg DM with a range of 0·21–1·20 kg. The hay supplements had only small and non-significant effects on total DM intake, milk yield and milk composition, but increased the daily intake of drinking water. In three behavioural studies, the eating and ruminating times expressed as min per kg DM did not differ significantly between the various supplement treatments. It is concluded that hay has only a marginal value as a supplement for grass silage, although the hay could serve as a useful ‘buffer’ feed if the amount of silage was limited.

Notes: Two areas of an early-heading perennial ryegrass cv. Cropper were harvested by either a precision-chop or a flail harvester at around 50% ear emergence (15 May 1978) and 14d later (29 May). Formic acid (85%) was applied at the rate of 2·2 litres t-1. Mature crossbred wethers were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design to determine the effect of stage of maturity and method of harvesting (chop length) on the in vivo digestibilities of formic acid-treated grass in experiment 1 and formic acid silage in experiment 2. Apparent digestibility coefficients were determined at a fixed level of feeding for both grass and silage and at ad libitum access to feed for silage only.There were no significant differences in the concentrations of crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), acid-detergent fibre (ADF) or acid-detergent lignin (ADL) in grass or silages of differing chop lengths but the later cut forages had significantly higher ADF and ADL concentrations and lower CP concentrations than the early-cut forages. The ADF and ADL concentrations were also higher in the silages than in the corresponding grasses.In general, the fermentation characteristics of precision-chopped silage were better than for the corresponding flail-cut silage but date of harvest was a more important determinant of quality and the late, flail-cut silage had the highest butyrate and ammonia N concentrations and the highest pH (411) of any treatment. There was a significantly higher intake of precision-chopped as compared with flail-cut silage with both the early-and the late-cut silage but there were no significant differences attributable to stage of maturity (i.e. date of harvest) or significant interaction between chop length and maturity. The slightly increased intake of early harvested, precision-chopped silage as compared with late precision-chopped silage was not significant.Dry matter digestibility (DMD) of the grass decreased at a rate of 0004 units d-1 post 50% ear emergence. The results of experiment 2 indicated a decrease of 0·207 units d-1 in silage fed at a similar level. The late-cut silage (DMD 0·292, mean of both harvesting treatments) thus had a significantly lower digestibility than the corresponding grass (mean DMD 0·247). Chop length had a variable influence on the DMD of both grass and silage fed at a fixed level but treatment differences were non-significant. However, a trend towards higher digestibility of flail-cut as compared with precision-chopped silage was apparent and this became statistically significant when the animals were allowed ad libitum access to feed. This may be a response to the generally lower intake of flail-cut silage.

Notes: Book review in this article Weed and Pasture Management in South Africa Edited by N. M. Tainton Collecting and testing tropical forage plants Edited by R. J. Clements and D. G. Cameron Herbage Intake by Grazing Dairy Cows By J. A. C. Meijs

Notes: Two experiments were carried out to evaluate propionic acid-treated hay as a feed for sheep in which eighteen ewes (experiment 1) and eighteen ewe lambs (experiment 2) were fed ad libitum on hay only. At feeding, the propionic acid-treated hays had higher D-values and water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations, but a lower dry matter concentration, than the untreated hays. The voluntary feed intake and liveweight gain of the sheep fed on two acid-treated hays and on an untreated hay in experiment 1 were similar. In the second experiment an acid-treated moist hay was eaten in greater amounts by the sheep and liveweight gains were greater than on the corresponding untreated hay, but were not significantly different from those of sheep fed on field-cured hay.

Notes: Six varieties of white clover, each grown with perennial ryegrass, four intervals between cuts and two levels of applied nitrogen in all combinations, were compared in a field experiment during the first 27 months after sowing. Information about yields, crop fractions, heights and ryegrass tillers has been presented in an earlier paper (Wilman and Asiegbu, 1982). The present paper is concerned with the more detailed studies of white clover, which help to explain the yield results and contribute to the understanding of the response of this species to management when grown in competition with grass.Increasing the interval between harvests increased the length of clover stolon per unit area of ground and increased stolon diameter, petiole length, weight per leaf and number of leaves harvested as a proportion of the number present in the sward while only slightly reducing the rate of leaf emergence, helping to explain the positive effect of increasing the interval on clover yield noted in the earlier paper. During regrowth, successive leaves had longer petioles and the length of individual petioles increased beyond the stage at which the leaflets were fully opened. Weight per leaf in clover increased considerably from April to June and declined to below the April value by October. It was shown that weight per leaf can be greatly increased by increasing the interval between harvests without reducing the number of leaves harvested per unit area per year. The stolon length measurements provided some support for the view that medium large-leaved varieties of white clover can with advantage be defoliated rather less frequently than small-leaved varieties. Stolon length was less adversely affected by applied N in the medium large- than in the small-leaved varieties. The small-leaved varieties had thinner stolons than the medium large-leaved varieties but about twice the stolon length when no N was applied, and a relatively high proportion of leaves which escaped defoliation. The application of N reduced stolon diameter, increased petiole length and had little or no effect on weight per clover leaf.

Notes: Data from twenty-two comparisons carried out at ADAS Experimental Husbandary Farms are used to compare untreated and formic acid-treated silages. Additive treatment led to an improved fermentation in some crops, particularly those of low DM concentration (〈262 g kg-1). Where this occurred there were associated benefits in silage digestibility (+0·234 units), intake (+16%) and the growth rate of young cattle (+0·28 kg d-1). Where the fermentation of the untreated silage was good, both digestibility and animal performance associated with treated and untreated silages were similar. It is suggested that the justification for using formic acid in a commercial situation is thus restricted to occasions where the untreated crop would be liable to develop a clostridial fermentation. These may be when crops contain less than 35 g water-soluble carbohydrate kg-1.

Notes: The change in structure of continuously grazed versus infrequently cut swards of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L), cv. S23, was investigated during their first full harvest year. Measurements were made from early May until late September. The intensity of stocking by sheep in the grazed sward was adjusted in an attempt to maintain a high level of radiation interception and the cut sward was harvested at approximately monthly intervals.The herbage mass, lamina area index and radiation interception of the cut sward varied in a cyclic pattern between harvests but in the grazed sward these parameters showed considerably less variation, although they all increased early in the season and then declined later. The proportion of dead material above ground increased throughout the season in both sward types but was more marked in the grazed sward.There were major differences between the grazed and cut swards in the number of tillers per unit ground area; the difference became more marked throughout the season and by September the tiller densities in the grazed and cut swards were 3·204 m-2 and 6·203 m-2 respectively. Divergence in tiller density was associated with differences in specific stem weight and leaf area per tiller.Rates of appearance and death of leaves on tillers in the grazed sward were determined. During May, leaf appearance exceeded leaf death but this was reversed in June. During the rest of the season as a new leaf appeared on a tiller so the oldest leaf died.

Notes: A rising-plate meter was used in a double sampling technique to measure the herbage mass of rotationally grazed perennial ryegrass-white clover swards over a period of 2 years. The meter was calibrated by developing a linear regression between meter reading and herbage dry matter mass as measured by cutting 0·2-m2 quadrats to ground level.There was a strong relationship between meter reading and herbage mass, and correlation coefficients were consistently 0·2 or above. The calibration regression was normally constant for extended periods, especially over the winter and spring. The relationship was more variable over the summer but appeared to follow a pattern that was to some extent repeatable between years. The slope of the regression (kg DM ha-1 cm-1) was 312 and 267 in the two winters and reached values of 800 and 452 in the two summers. The calibration relationship was adequately described by a linear model over the winter and spring but there was a tendency for a curved relationship in mid-to late summer.The standard pooled regression found with winter ryegrass-clover swards was not applicable to the more erect prairie grass, and the standard regression overestimated slightly the yield of heavily grazed swards. There was no evidence of a difference in relationship between irrigated and non-irrigated swards over the summer.The individual meter readings could be used to develop a useful diagrammatic picture of the changes that occurred in sward structure as the pastures were subjected to different managements and this could be used to illustrate problem areas in pasture management.The meter was useful in overcoming the problem of variability of herbage mass within paddocks and could give precise estimates of herbage mass, especially when it was possible to use a pooled regression encompassing a large number of calibration cuts. In these cases the meter could be used to detect differences of about 8%.

Notes: The frequency and severity of defoliation of small sample areas, 8 × 8 cm, was studied in swards of S37 cocksfoot which were maintained at different levels of leaf-area index by continuous grazing with lambs. By varying the number of lambs grazing a plot, the LAI was maintained at three approximately constant levels, 5.3 (H), 4.1 (M), and 3.0 (L). Any one 8 × 8 cm area was grazed on average once every 36 days in treatment H, 24 days in treatment M and 19 days in treatment L. Approximately 24% of the total length of leaf present per tiller was removed each time a tiller was grazed, under all treatments. The lambs tended to graze patches of herbage about 16 × 16 cm, then move to a different place in the sward. These results are discussed in relation to grazing practices aimed at securing the maximum harvested yield.

Notes: The potential for producing beef in savanna grassland areas is discussed in relation to the results obtained from grazing trials on sown pastures at Serere Research Station, Uganda. Liveweight gains from small East African Zebu stock are used to illustrate the progress that has been made in the selection of improved pasture species and mixtures grown at various levels of fertilizer application. The utilization of herbage from selected pastures is shown to vary under different grazing management systems, grazing pressure having the greatest effect upon animal production. The need for further investigations and the integration of existing research findings into farming practice is stressed.

Notes: Book reviewed in this article:LANGER, R. H. M. [Ed.] The luceme crop.FRYER, J. D.; EVANS, S. A. [Eds] Weed control handbook.RODIN, L. E.; BAZILEVICH, N. I. Production and mineral cycling in terrestrial vegetation.

Notes: Varieties of Italian, perennial and Italian × perennial ryegrasses, tall fescue and cocksfoot were used to determine the effects of soil moisture on grass growth. Weather conditions were monitored and herbage accumulation, leaf extension rate, leaf appearance rate and tillering were recorded under natural (control), covered and irrigated treatments.Water deficit reduced crop growth rate in the spring and drought was the major factor influencing crop growth rates in all varieties during the summer. The ryegrasses appeared most sensitive to drought, and particularly poor recovery growth was exhibited by the Italian ryegrass RvP and the hybrid ryegrass Snowdon.Leaf extension rate and leaf appearance rate were both reduced by increasing soil water deficit. Herbage accumulation was increased by irrigation when potential soil water deficits were greater than 100 mm. When water deficits were large, irrigation increased leaf extension more than leaf appearance or tiller number. Increasing moisture deficit had a greater effect upon tiller number than on leaf extension.

Notes: Records of grassland productivity were kept for 2 years on 152 dairy and 179 beef farms. Results were collated for six lowland zones, delineated primarily on the basis of average rainfall, and an upland zone. Contemporary and long-term average meteorological records were also collected.In most of the lowland zones stocking rates and use of fertilizer N were similar, but utilized metabolizable energy (UME) output from grass varied; it was 25% higher in the wet, cool zone of north-west England and east Wales than in the dry zone of eastern England. The ranking of zones for utilized output corresponded closely with the ranking for summer rainfall.On upland farms stocking rate was 25% lower and UME output 15% lower than on lowland farms, but this was achieved from little more than half the N input.The differences between zones were similar to those shown in other published farm data. They also showed a similar trend to that demonstrated in grass cutting experiments. This suggests that farmers were, on average, able to exploit the extra grass grown in wetter climates. The incidence of difficult topography and impeded drainage was similar in dry and wet zones, but did have a more serious effect in the wet zones. The much higher level of concentrate feeding in the driest zone may have reduced the utilization of grass.

Notes: Twelve varieties of cocksfoot, Dactylis glomerata L., were analysed for three mineral elements (Na, K, Ca) and their dry matter (DM) yields were measured in pot and field trials. Among these characteristics there were strong varietal differences in Na concentration, whereas in other cases the varietal differences were less significant. The concentrations of individual mineral elements were, in most cases, independent of yield and of one another.Parent plants and their clonal derivatives were highly correlated in Na and Ca concentration as well as in DM yield. Tiller size or position on the parental plant had no significant effects on the mineral concentrations or DM yields of clones derived from separated tillers.Within varieties continuous variation was observed for Na concentration and the range of variation increased with increasing mean Na concentration. When plants were grown under different experimental conditions there was a high repeatability in Na concentration within varieties over cuts and years. This result was taken as an indication of a strong genetic basis for Na concentration. The results obtained in this study show that it is possible to develop grass varieties of defined potential Na concentration.

Notes: Samples of 39 perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and 24 Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) commercial seed-lots used at the Grassland Research Institute between 1974 and 1978 were examined for the presence of seed-borne Drechslera species. The five species of Drechslera isolated from the seeds were D. andersenii, D. siccans, D. nobleae, D. sorokiniana and an unidentified Drechslera sp.A high proportion of the seed-lots were infected but levels of infection were low except in the perennial ryegrass cv. S24. Infection was located more commonly inside the caryopses than externally on the lemmas and paleae, and about 12% of the seedlings growing from infected seeds were infected. The species recovered in the seedlings were the same as those observed on the seeds.There was no relationship between level of seed infection and level of damage observed in the field in the autumn of the first harvest year.

Notes: A high risk of pest damage to seedlings of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) was shown to exist after reseeding with a slot-seeder. Damage varied between years and sites; white clover appeared to be more affected than perennial ryegrass. Insecticides of feasible commercial use (chlorpyrifos granules and γ-HCH seed treatment) were found to prevent damage. There was no evidence of phytotoxicity from any of the pesticides studied at the dose rates used in the field.

Notes: The use of acid-pepsin or of water to extract herbage samples is described. The relationship between the amount extracted by each and the crude-or true-protein and soluble carbohydrate contents is discussed, especially in relation to herbage digestibility. It is suggested that these simple extractants may be more useful than conventional chemical techniques for assessments of comparative nutritive value of herbages.

Notes: Three groups of eight 9-month-old steers were fed ad lib. on maize silage alone and with 29 or 57% of the total DM intake as dried and pelleted whole-crop field beans (Vicia faba L.). The total daily DM intakes were 3.7,5.0 and 5.8 kg/head, respectively. The corresponding daily liveweight gains were 0.44, 0.74 and 0.97 kg/ head and the respective values for efficiency of food conversion were 12, 15 and 17 kg liveweight gain per 100 kg DM intake. It is suggested that high-protein artificially-dried forages make a very suitable supplement to a low-protein whole-crop cereal silage.

Notes: Studies were carried out on the effects of diurnal variation, fasting before sampling, and acclimatization to a sward on the chemical composition and in vitro OM digestibility of samples of extrusa collected from sheep fitted with oesophageal fistulae. The N content of extrusa samples increased markedly during the morning, and tended to decline again in the evening. The diurnal changes in digestibility were similar, but the variation was much smaller. There was no significant correlation between either N content or OM digestibility and grazing speed measured in bites per minute. There were no significant changes in either the N content or OM digestibility of successive samples of extrusa collected after over-night fasting, or after the sheep were introduced to a sward to which they were not accustomed, though the concentration of ash in the extrusa was significantly lower when the sheep were hungry than when they were not. The OM digestibility of the diet selected was approximately two units lower on the first two days after introduction to a new sward than the mean value of samples collected over the next 12 days.

Notes: Book reviewed in this article:COMMITTEE ON HERBAGE SEED SUPPLIES (UK). Report of the Committee on herbage seed supplies.WATKINS, P. Grass and the dairy cow.ARNON, I. Organisation and administration of agricultural research.HARRISON, C. M. (Ed.) Forage economics-quality. Papers presented at the Forage Economics Symposium and the Forage Quality Evaluation Symposium co-sponsored hy the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America at the annual meetings of the three societies in Washington, D.C., November, 1967.WRIGLEY, G. Tropical agriculture: the development of productiou.WILSON, B. (Ed.) Pasture improvements in Australia.JERMY, A. C.; TUTIN, T. G. British sedges. A handbook to the species ofCarexfonnd growing in the British Isles.

Notes: A simple test is described for screening lucerne seedlings for resistance to Verticillium wilt. The test is sufficiently precise to distinguish the most resistant plants within a population possessing a fairly high level of resistance. Some results are presented illustrating the progress in breeding for resistance.

Notes: Individual tillers of S23 ryegrass, in three paddocks set-stocked with sheep at widely differing grazing pressures, were marked and studied from 11 July to 19 August, 1966, and observations were made on the frequency and severity of grazing.The uprooting of tillers, and the destruction of others, were major sources of loss of records. It was found that an acceptable measure of the frequency of defoliation could be made by recording three times a week. In a subsidiary experiment it was shown that repeated handling did not affect the DM yield, the number of tillers or the length of green leaf (G.L.L.) of single plants.Despite the extreme differences in grazing pressure, there were no significant differences between paddocks in the daily increase in the G.L.L. of tillers which were not grazed during a short period of intensive recording. In all three paddocks the sheep tended to graze the tillers with the greatest G.L.L. at any one time, and there was evidence of patchy grazing only at the lowest grazing pressure.An increase in grazing pressure resulted in increases in both the frequency and severity of defoliation. Comparisons were made between the product of the frequency X severity of defoliation of individual tillers, and the stocking rate, grazing pressure and herbage consumption on the three paddocks.

Notes: The in vitro DM digestibility of four tropical pasture species, Cenchrus ciliaris, Chloris gayana, Digitaria spp., Setaria spp. and one temperate grass, Lolium perenne, were studied, using the method described by Tilley and Terry (13). In vitro digestibility was affected by fineness of grinding, sample size, pH of original rumen fluid and size of rumen fluid inoculum. Different relations were found between the in vivo and in vitro results for the five species, with a maximum predicted difference of 3–5 digestibility units.It was considered that the in vivo digestibility of tropical grasses could be accurately predicted by this method, provided that the procedure was standardized and samples of known in vivo digestibility similar to those being tested are included in each run.

Notes: The response of clover-free grass swards to fertilizer N when cut repeatedly at grazing and silage stages of growth was measured in four experiments at North Wyke. There was variation between years in the yield obtained at a given fertilizer N rate (Fn) and this was attributable to differences in soil-N supply. By estimating soil-N supply from the N-yield of the non-fertilized plots (Zn), total N inputs (Tn) were assessed. Over a number of reported experiments it was found that grass-N yield (Gn) was related to Tn by the equation Gn=0.57 Tn, where Tn=Fn+l.7 Zn. The level of grass-DM yield depended on stage of growth at cutting, as well as on total N supply. These results, and others examined from the literature, suggest that while total N input is the main determinant of grass-DM yield, account must be taken of the time available, before defoliation, for the N taken up to be utilized in DM production. The use of Tn values has allowed the collating of N responses obtained over a range of sites, seasons and workers.

Notes: Pure stands of S24 ryegrass and S37 cocksfoot were grazed by groups of 6–8 cows for 5 periods spread over 3 years. Three periods were in the spring and two in the summer. The ryegrass was 4–5 percentage units more digestible than the cocksfoot and generally contained more soluble carbohydrate. In the spring periods, the organic-matter intakes and milk yields of the cows were much the same for the two herbage species, but in the summer they were both higher for the ryegrass. There were no important differences in milk composition due to herbage species, or in the liveweight changes of the cows.

Notes: The eflFects of various systems of winter-grazing management on pasture production in the following spring and summer were studied in four trials in the Pentland Hills, Scotland. Winter grazing reduced the yield of herbage in spring, but growth in May and June was primarily influenced by the level of nitrogen application in spring, irrespective of winter-grazing treatments.

Notes: In situations where yield is variable but in which it is not desirable to take too large a cut sample, e.g. on grazed plots, the pasture-yield estimator can be used to improve the accuracy of yield estimation. An outline of the theory and examples of the use of the method are given.

Notes: A conservation experiment is described in which the losses entailed in ensiling heavily-wilted herbage of 37–43% dry-matter content either by complete sealing in polythene alone, or by complete sealing followed by evacuation of air, were investigated.The metabolizable energy values of the grass and silages were determined, and the silage volatile-acids fraction investigated by gas chromatography. The results indicate that there are no significant fermentation differences between the two types of silage. The mean dry-matter loss for the sealed, unevacuated silos was 6.5% and for the evacuated silos 7.8%. These losses, and the individual crude- and digestible-nutrient losses, are discussed in relation to other published work.

Notes: The first recorded sowing of American timothy seed in England was in 1743, but the event was otherwise without significance since nothing further was heard of this sowing. The stimulation of interest in timothy began with the sowing by Bartholomew Rocque in the late summer of 1763 of the seed received by the London Society of Arts from America. There was during the first years some confusion regarding its vegetative characters, and also in recognizing the difference between the flowering heads of timothy and those of meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis). A hindrance to progress in the use of timothy arose, without doubt, from lack of experience, and lack of suitable implements to provide the fine, firm, clean seed-bed required. Midsummer sowing may have contributed to failure, for timothy establishes itself best in a moist soil. Timothy seems to have maintained a rather modest place during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The first real progress was made after 1920 when the agronomic potential of the valuable material among our indigenous populations of grasses was appreciated and developed into a number of new cultivars adapted to current needs.

Notes: The seed of cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) was first sown as such in England by Bartholomew Rocque. It initially received little publicity, and did not induce the same spate of writing as timothy (Phlewn pratense). The first seed appears to have come from America simultaneously with timothy, although cocksfoot was not at the time a species of much significance there. Yet in England it attained a more secure place, probably because its cultural requirements were less demanding than those of timothy. Its agronomic characteristics were however a frequent subject of discussion and controversy. Before the end of the nineteenth century seed was being imported from Denmark, America and New Zealand. During the second quarter of the twentieth century breeders began exploiting the great variation in plant type and performance to be found among indigenous populations. This work and that of breeders abroad made many cultivars, with different agronomic characteristics, available to farmers. As a result, by means of leys and ‘self’ stands, it is possible to produce fresh herbage over a much extended growing season.

Notes: Oesophageal-fistulated calves and cattle were used in various experiments during 1963 to 1966; results for 1966 are reported.The method of inserting the fistula, the routine care of the animals and the methods of sampling through the fistula, are described.Individual stall-feeding experiments in 1966 gave recovery values of 99.7% for herbage extruded through the fistulae, in relation to herbage eaten. The in vitro organic-matter digestibility of the grass offered and of the extrusa samples were identical. The digestibility of the grass fed in these experiments was high, but was comparable with that of herbage used in the grazing experiments reported. Grazing studies on grass/white clover pastures are reported. The digestibility was determined on all samples and they were separated into various plant fractions. Results obtained were compared with herbage samples cut at the same time. In most cases the digestibility and % N of the extrusa sample was higher than that of the corresponding herbage sample. The quantity of dead material present increased, and more was eaten, as the season advanced; it was of low digestibility. Results of intake studies with grazing animals are presented and the use of oesophagea-istulated cattle as an aid in such studies is discussed.

Notes: On the basis of the most commonly used criteria for determining ripeness in grass seeds (involving a continuous examination of certain physical properties) the rip-o-cut stage was reached in S352 timothy 31–35 days after peak anthesis. The attainment of a moisture level just below 40% wet basis (excluding precipitation), which corresponded with the same stage of seed maturation, appears to be a further practical ripeness indicator in this variety.In view of initial dormancy and the susceptibility of the seeds to mechanical injury, the indirect- rather than the direct-combining method of harvest is recommended.

Notes: The in vitro dry-matter digestibility was determined of two samples of Digitaria decumbens, one sample of Medicago sativa, and one sample of Trifolium repens and nine mixtures prepared from these samples.When the results were compared with in vivo digestibilities the standard errors of the regressions for the three combinations of legume, grass and legume/grass mixtures were ±0.6, ±0.6 and ±1.5 percentage units, respectively.It is considered that in vivo digestibility of mixtures of grasses and legumes can be estimated by the in vitro technique, provided that suitable grass and legume standards are included.

Notes: Three sets of previously-published experiments have been re-analysed by numerical methods intended for the elucidation of pattern in sequential data. The results suggest that for Setaria sphacelata cv. Nandi and Chloris gayana cv. Samford Rhodes the stable terminal silage to be expected under subtropical conditions is not the high lactic-acid silage of temperate regions, but a silage with a relatively high proportion of acetic acid. Lactic-acid silage is formed, but usually behaves as though in a transitional phase. However, silage made from mature Setaria can be maintained in the lactic-acid phase by the addition of high percentages of sugar. The silage fermentation can sometimes be retarded, or deflected into an undesirable path for reasons that are not understood.The above patterns suggest three hypotheses for more fundamental investigation. First, since acetic-acid silage can be expected under most subtropical conditions, its properties require careful investigation. Secondly, relatively young Setaria may be regarded as a source of acetic-acid silage, but the optimum amount of sugar to be added for ensiling more mature grass needs investigation. Thirdly there is an urgent need to investigate the causes of retardation of fermentation, and of its deflection into an undesirable path, because until these causes are understood, the outcome of ensilage will remain uncertain.

Notes: An experiment is described in which liveweight gains were measured from two grass/legume pastures using small East African Zebu animals and also progeny of small East African Zebu cows crossed with Bos taurus bulls. Significantly higher production was obtained from cross-bred stock, which averaged 706 lb liveweight gain at per annum (791 kg/ha per annum), compared with 509 lb liveweight gain/ac per annum (571 kg/ha per annum) from Zebu stock, indicating that pasture management had advanced beyond the genetic potential of the local Zebu stock. The problems of designing, conducting and interpreting the results of such grazing trials are discussed.

Notes: A report is presented on studies on the relationship between in vitro digestibility of 18 silage samples and their in vivo digestibilities. Various analytical techniques are compared and the method adopted, on grounds of suitability for routine operation and accuracy of prediction of in vivo data, is based on analysis of homogenates of fresh silage. The homogenates, sufficiently uniform to permit of volumetric subsampling at acceptable error levels, are prepared in a new design of homogenizer. The impact of the % dry matter of the silage, as fed, on the accuracy of in vitrol in vivo relationships is considered and a bivariate regression plane is proposed.

Notes: Silage was made from wilted and unwilted grass in May 1965, 1966 and 1967. The silage was made in sealed silos, but these were not evacuated and additives were not used.The silages were fed as follows: in 1965 to milking dairy cows and 1-year-old beef steers; in 1966 to steers coming into the experiment at 3, 9 and 15 months of age; in 1967 to weaned steer calves, with or without rolled barley (1 or 2 kg/head per day). In all years the silages were of high in vivo digestibility. The intake of wilted silage was higher than that of unwilted silage. There was no significant difference between the milk yields of cows fed on wilted and unwilted silage only. Liveweight gains were higher with wilted silage in 1965 and 1966, but not in 1967. In 1966 gains increased with age of animal and in 1967 gains were higher at successively higher levels of concentrate feeding.

Notes: In vitro digestion of grass samples has shown that the amount of digestible cellulose, hexosan or pentosan is not greatly affected by species or by stage of maturity. A survey of published data on crude fibre and cellulose digestibility has confirmed these findings. Marked differences between grasses and legumes were observed. The rate of digestion has also been shown to be independent of the total amount of structural material present. The relevance of these observations to the selection of herbage varieties with greater intake by ruminants is discussed.

Notes: Thirty-four introductions of Lotus corniculatus and L. uliginosus, obtained from Europe, North America and New Zealand, were grown in plots with Aberystwyth S23 ryegrass at three centres in Wales (230–400 m a. s. 1.) to assess their potential as legumes for poor acid hill soils. The control white clover varieties were generally successful in these difficult conditions, whereas all the Lotus introductions were poor in two experiments and in the third experiment gave way to volunteer white clover by the third harvest year. These results indicate that none of the numerous Lotus varieties tested would be a useful addition to pasture seeds mixtures for hill lands in Wales.

Notes: The annual yield of tall fescue was higher than that of Italian ryegrass in the third year after sowing, but the total yield of herbage from grass plus clover swards was similar.In both the second and third year after sowing, the yield of herbage in the spring grazing was higher when fescue was used as the sown grass. The method of establishment of both tall fescue and Italian ryegrass affected the total and seasonal yield in the second and third year after sowing, but the magnitude of these effects was not nearly as marked as it was earlier in the life of the leys. In the second year after sowing, swards of both Italian ryegrass and tall fescue had a higher yield of total herbage and of white clover, and a lower ingress of unsown species, when established without a cover crop and grazed frequently in the year of sowing.The inclusion of red clover did not increase total yield of DM in the second and third year after sowing, and it slightly decreased the yield of the tall fescue mixture in the third year following sowing when N was applied. S170 tall fescue was readily grazed by sheep in spring and autumn.The apparent recovery of applied N varied with the mixture sown, and the management given during establishment.

Notes: The effect of partial evacuation of air from polyethylene containers, at the time of sealing, on the chemical composition and nutritive value of silage was determined. Four containers of 500-kg capacity were filled with herbage harvested from each of four swards, namely, S170 tall fescue, Syn I tall fescue, Tetila Tetrone Italian ryegrass and an S24 perennial ryegrass/S100 white-clover mixture. All the containers were sealed immediately after filling and half of them were evacuated. The silages resulting from these treatments were offered ad lib. to store sheep and the intake and digestibility of the dry matter determined. The evacuation of the silos had no significant effect upon the chemical composition of the silage produced. The intake and digestibility of the dry matter in the silages were not significantly influenced by evacuation.

Notes: Under arid tropical conditions the natural grazing provides less than maintenance requirements for 8–9 months of the year. Conservation of natural or sown herbage, either as hay or silage, should be discouraged because of the low nutritive value of the product, and the unfavourable weather usually prevailing during conservation. Of the forage crops, cereal/legume mixtures are the most suitable for ensilage.

Notes: A 60-cow dairy herd was pastured throughout one year on unfertilized Guineagrass pastures in the humid tropical environment of Turrialba, Costa Rica. During part of this time, the producing herd was followed by dry cows in the rotation. Information was collected on monthly grazing pressure, forage digestibility and consumption, and milk yields. The average number of animal units (375 kg) over the year amounted to 1.06/ha. Forage consumption varied from 2.27–3.45 kg DM/ 100 kg liveweight, and consisted of 75% Guinea grass in the mixed pasture. Digestibility varied from 47.9–65.0%. Low consumption and digestibility coincided with the short drier season. Efficiency of DM conversion was about 13% with one high and one low value, interpreted as use and accumulation, respectively, of body reserves during those periods. Calculations of the N balance in Guineagrass pastures are given.

Notes: Direct-cut grass which has been heavily fertilized often produces silage with a poor fermentation. An investigation was carried out to study the effect of rate and timing of N applications to herbage intended for direct-cut silage. A small but consistent increase in silage pH was recorded after high levels of N were applied 7–8 weeks before cutting. The application of additional N fertilizer 10–14 days before cutting the sward had an adverse effect on silage fermentation. Changes in herbage composition following different levels of applied N are outlined.

Notes: The effect of defoliation and date of nitrogen application in the spring to seed crops of meadow fescue, S215 and S53, were compared in two harvest years, in drills spaced at 18 in. S215 tillers were generally more robust than S53 tillers, and S215 produced a higher number of fertile shoots as the result of a higher conversion rate of over wintering to fertile tillers. N applied early and absence of defoliation gave the highest ratio of seed heads to over wintering tillers.Seed- and straw-yields were depressed by April and May defoliations; May cutting had a particularly drastic effect on both varieties. S53 yields in all treatments were generally inferior to those of the hay variety, S215.Head lengths and spikelet numbers were higher and 1000-seed weight lower in S53 than in S215.

Notes: A 50-animal herd of dairy cows was pastured throughout one year on fertilized Pangola grass pastures in the humid tropical environment of Turrialba, Costa Rica. Information was collected on monthly grazing pressure, forage consumption and digestibility and milk production. The average number of animal units (375 kg) over the year was 2.57/ha. Total milk produced was 6014 kg/ha. Forage consumption varied from 1.81–3.60 kg DM per 100 kg liveweight, with two periods of low consumption coinciding with the flowering period of Pangola grass and with a drier season. Digestibility fluctuated from 50.3–65.7% and followed the same pattern. Calculations were made of the efficiency of DM conversion, which was around 12%, with two higher values for the periods of stress, interpreted as utilization of body reserves. Calculations of the nitrogen balance of Pangola pastures are also presented.

Notes: The statistical properties and applicability of the Dry-Weight-Rank (DWR) method of pasture sampling are examined. Formulae for the expected value and variance of the DWR estimates are presented.The extent of bias in DWR is examined using several mathematical models. DWR is shown to break down when estimating multinomial proportions; however it provides good estimates for a subset of models simulated from a class of compound probability distributions.The success of DWR in practice does not rest on a theoretical basis. It appears to be a remarkable empirical discovery that DWR estimates are virtually unbiased on most pasture types. Several cases are considered where difficulties may be encountered in using DWR. Provided the theoretical reservations of this paper are borne in mind, DWR will continue to be a useful practical tool, especially in the absence of non-destructive observational alternatives.

Notes: Three groups of cows were continuously stocked on pasture and offered supplementary concentrates according to the herbage height measured weekly with a grass disc. Concentrates were offered when the mean herbage height fell below 9 cm for treatment A, 7 cm for treatment B and 5 cm for treatment C at a rate of 1 kg d-1 for each 0·2-cm decline below these threshold levels. If the herbage height declined by more than 1·2 cm (8 kg concentrates d-1) hay was offered in addition ad libitum. The stocking rates for all three treatments were 5·2, 3·2 and 3·2 cows ha-1 for three successive 8-week periods. For treatments A, B and C the mean concentrate DM intakes were 3·2, 1·2 and 1·2 kg d-1 (treatment A also received 0·2 kg hay DM d-1), and the mean daily milk yields were 17·2, 16·2 and 15·2 kg respectively. The increasing level of supplementary feeding from treatment C to A also resulted in an increase in liveweight and body condition score change, and a reduction in milk fat.

Notes: The effects of sheep grazing on the development of and production from heather swards and on intake and diet selection by grazing Scottish Blackface wether sheep were studied in an experiment in which sheep numbers were adjusted to remove 0, 40% or 80% by weight of current season's shoots in summer and in autumn for a period of 5 years. All combinations of season and level of grazing were provided. The plots were divided after 2 years and grazing was continued for a further 3 years on one subplot but discontinued on the other.Sward productivity during the 5 years of grazing was unaffected at the 40% level of shoot removal but at the 80% level was reduced by up to 66%.After a season's uninterrupted growth at the end of the experiment heather cover and herbage mass were lower and current season's shoots as a proportion of total mass were higher on those treatments which received the greatest severity of grazing. Weight of current season's shoots was unaffected on treatments which had received the 40% level of shoot removal but was reduced by 40% and 50% on treatments which had received the 80% level in summer and autumn respectively. On the rested subplots sward recovery was such that no treatment effects remained after 3 years except with respect to 80% shoot removal in autumn where herbage mass was reduced compared with other treatments.Intakes of digestible organic matter per sheep were higher at the 80% than the 40% level of grazing in the fifth year of the experiment. This was ascribed to the ingestion of new shoot growth from the twig bases on the 80% level of removal treatments. Intake and digestibility were higher in the summer on those treatments which had received the 80% level of removal in previous autumns. Over the 5 years of the experiment there was a small decline in intake and digestibility values, with the decline being greatest in the summer and at low levels of grazing.Floristic changes differed on the rested and grazed areas. On the rested subplots in the fourth year after grazing stopped, heather height was lower and cover by grasses, sedges and herbs was greater on treatments which previously had received the highest levels of utilization. On bare areas the rate of recovery of heather was rapid where shoots as well as seedlings contributed to recovery growth. On the grazed subplots, with the exception of the low-growing ruderal Rumex acetosella, cover due to grasses, sedges and herbs remained low as species other than heather were selectively grazed.Relationships among stocking rates, grazing behaviour and heather utilization are discussed and guidelines for the recognition of overgrazing are outlined.

Notes: In a study of growth rates and developmental morphology of simulated swards of two contrasting white clover varieties, Katrina and Kent, it was found that both varieties continued to produce dry matter throughout the winter at Aberystwyth. The gross crop growth rate in the coldest periods was about 7 kg ha-1 d-1. The rates of formation and loss of new leaves were approximately equal so that there was no net increase in weight until the latter part of March. This initial net weight increase in both varieties was observed in the same harvest interval, the most important factor being the difference in weight between the new leaf plus petiole unit and the weight of the unit which it replaced. The weight of laminae and petioles throughout the experiment was somewhat higher in Katrina which has come to be regarded as the ‘earlier’ variety.The prospects for improving spring production in white clover by variety improvement are discussed.

Notes: A technique for estimating the rate of disappearance of material from samples of dead herbage protected by simple nylon or wire mesh covers is described. Using this technique on a perennial ryegrass sward in southern England during August-November, relative rates of disappearance close to 0·204 g g-1 d-1 (DM) were obtained, but the variability was high. When herbage killed with paraquat was used, the rate of disappearance was higher and the variability lower. There were only small differences in the temperatures recorded in a normal sward and within samples of dead herbage under mesh covers.

Notes: Electrical capacitance and root diameter techniques for estimating root dry weight were evaluated in one test with red clover plants grown on slant-boards in plant growth chambers for 37–77 d, and in six tests with alfalfa grown in the field for 55–165 d. Root dry weights of red clover were estimated satisfactorily with regression equations from both diameter (R2=90%) and capacitance (R2=76%) measurements. Root dry weights of alfalfa were estimated satisfactorily throughout the entire season from diameter values (R2 from 51 to 92%). Alfalfa root weight was significantly (P 〈0·25) related to capacitance values at the beginning and at the end of the season but not at mid-season. Electrical capacitance measurements were similar for intact root systems and roots severed 4 cm below the crown in separate experiments with red clover and with alfalfa. The root diameter technique provided an accurate, rapid and inexpensive method of estimating root size throughout the first season of growth. The root capacitance method provided satisfactory estimates of roots at certain times during the summer. Neither method would be useful if a large portion of the root was naturally severed.

Notes: Italian ryegrass was slot-seeded into permanent grass in two field experiments at Oxford. In the first experiment August and September proved to be the most reliable months for slot-seeding, with April as a possible alternative. A row-spacing experiment showed that the optimum distance between rows was about 30 cm; seed rate in the row had a lesser influence on increasing herbage growth. In both experiments slot-seeding did not result in any substantial change in earliness of growth or alter total herbage harvested but it did even out the seasonal distribution of growth, particularly by increasing it in the following July.

Notes: An apparatus is described which enables excised pieces of plant material lo be weighed al frequent intervals as they dry in controlled conditions of temperature, humidity and air-speed. The effect of removing the epidermis on the drying rate of red clover (Trifolium pratense) leaflets, leaf petioles and stems is examined. Initially this treatment caused a very large increase in the drying rate of leaflets. Although the effect declined as water content fell, leaflets from which the epidermis had been removed still dried more rapidly than the controls at a water content equivalent to 50% of the dry weight. Removing the epidermis had a greater effect on the drying rate of leaf petioles and stems at low water contents than it did on the drying rate of leaflets.Slow drying at low water contents is a major factor responsible for the undesirably long periods for which hay may lie in the field. Slow drying occurs even though swath microclimate becomes more favourable for drying as water content falls. The results presented here suggest that treatments which reduce cuticular resistance have the potential to reduce field drying time.

Notes: A detailed study of the spring growth curves of two forage grasses, tall fescue and cocksfoot, over three successive years showed a large variability of growth over the vegetative phase. This variability was evident at levels of fertilizer N which were considered to be non-limiting (60 kg N ha-1 in autumn plus 120 kg N ha-1 in February).At this level of N there was a relationship between yield in the vegetative phase and accumulated temperatures from the last cut in the autumn which was described by a regression common to the three years. The slope of this regression represents the potential growth of a variety. At a lower level of N a separate regression was needed in each year to relate growth to accumulated temperature.Variation in spring growth was not related to accumulated net radiation. Growth in the reproductive phase was related to accumulated temperature and accumulated net radiation from the 10-cm ear stage.

Notes: In subtropical latitudes temperate crops can be grown during the cool months but the growing season is restricted by the termination and beginning of hot weather. Postponing sowing date in south Florida from October to November to January resulted in 150, 130 and 110-d growing seasons respectively. Dry matter (DM) yields of turnip, swede, rape and kale were lowered by each later sowing date and shorter growing season, and crude protein (CP) concentration was the same as for, or was increased by late sowing. In vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) of turnip, swede and rape leaves was not affected by sowing date, but roots of turnip and swede from the earlier sowings and longer growing seasons were more digestible. Yield of the four species depended on harvest management as well as date of sowing and length of growing season. Total yield of turnip and swede were unaffected by harvest management but multiple cutting resulted in greater leaf yields and smaller root yields, whereas stockpiling resulted in smaller leaf yields and larger root yields. Kale produced more DM when harvested once at the end of the winter growing season but rape produced the greatest DM yield when sown in October and harvested

Notes: Plants of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) cv. Blanca and red clover (T. pratense L.) cv. Hungaropoly were grown singly in controlled environments. The effects of eight treatments on the two species were examined: 16- and 8-h photo-periods × 20/15 and 15/10°C day/night temperatures ×Rhizobium-free plants receiving nitrate N and inoculated plants receiving no combined N. Twice weekly measurements of the main axis leaf size, petiole length, rate of leaf production and the time period between the appearance of a leaf and its final size were carried out for 8 weeks after sowing.Increasing the day/night temperature from 15/10 to 20/15°C, or doubling the daylength from 8 to 16 h (doubling the daylength increased temperature by 1·2°C) accelerated the rate of leaf production and expansion and increased petiole length and the final area of leaves. Most aspects of main axis leaf growth were reduced in the inoculated plants dependent on their own N fixation compared with the nodule-free plants receiving abundant nitrate N. The results suggest that the temperature above which white clover exhibits appreciable leaf growth in the field could be relatively high compared with grasses. Further research is required to define these differences and relate them to seasonal changes in the environment.

Notes: Preharvest application of 1 and 2 litres ha-1 IPA glyphosate (glyphosate) to a seed crop of S24 perennial ryegrass with moisture concentrations of around 400 and 340 g kg-1 (40 and 34% moisture content w/w) failed to significantly lower seed and straw moisture concentration at harvest and consequently did not affect combine rate. Addition of extra surfactants and ammonium sulphate to glyphosate did not significantly increase the rate of desiccation.The quality of harvested seed was impaired at both rates and application times. Germination was significantly lowered through the production of abnormal seedlings. The germination of seed harvested in the previous year from glyphosatetreated plots decreased with storage. Seed vigour, germination rate and field emergence were also significantly decreased as a result of glyphosate application. The effect of glyphosate on seed quality precludes its preharvest use as a desiccant in the ryegrass seed crop.Harvesting difficulties due to the production of secondary vegetative tillers may be overcome by swathing rather than direct combining.

Notes: The fertility of forty-two heifers offered either red clover silage or grass silage prior to and during the period of insemination was compared. Pregnancy rate to first service was significantly higher (P 〈 0·25) on red clover silage at 76% compared with 43% on grass silage. Pregnancy rates from a mating period covering three oestrus cycles were similar on the two silage diets. The ratio of services to pregnancies was lower on red clover silage (1·2) than on grass silage (2·2). In a subsidiary trial with twenty-three heifers, pregnancy rate to first service on red clover silage was 78%.There was no evidence to indicate that herd fertility is depressed by red clover silage.

Notes: An estimate of the level of pest damage on enclosed upland permanent pasture in England and Wales was made by reducing invertebrate populations with insecticides at thirteen well-distributed sites and measuring the effect on herbage growth over a 3-year period. Potential pests were fewer in number than on lowland pastures and there was a wide range in herbage yield between sites. Insecticide treatment significantly increased annual yields at only three of the sites, and significantly decreased yield at two of the sites. Insect damage to grassland appears to be much less important in upland than in lowland areas: this may be due to the relative scarcity of frit-fly in these areas, but this could change if its preferred host, ryegrass, were encouraged by intensification of sward management in the uplands. At all but one of the sites insecticide treatment led to considerable soil compaction, probably as a consequence of suppressing earthworm populations.

Notes: Eight samples of perennial ryegrass-white clover herbage with in vivo dry matter digestibility (DMD) ranging from 0·279 to 0·264 were used to evaluate various cost-saving modifications to the two-stage pepsin–cellulase digestibility technique. The effect of sample size, cellulase quality, cellulase/sample ratio, digestion time and washing of residue following digestion were investigated. The loss of dry matter (DM) in the assay was correlated with in vivo DMD and each variation of the method was evaluated by comparing the s.d. between replicates and r.s.d. of the regression, as well as the convenience of the method for large-scale monitoring of digestibility of mixed ryegrass-clover herbage.It was found that the amount of cellulase used could be reduced by a factor of 25, compared with recently published methods, without increasing s.d. or r.s.d. appreciably. In addition stirring during digestion and washing of the residue could be omitted without any deleterious effects. Increasing digestion time did not reduce s.d. or r.s.d. and the low-grade cellulase proved to be slightly more economical.Increasing the sample size from 0·25 to 0·20 g improved the s.d. and r.s.d. but the residues from the larger samples were generally slower to filter, which made the assay unsuitable for routine use. Substantial reduction of digestion volume and use of a thermostatically controlled water bath instead of an incubator led to a considerable increase in efficiency and throughput of samples. Stirring the samples during digestion was found to be unnecessary, thus allowing more flexibility in the laboratory routine, for example using the weekend for digestion. Using the recommended method modification the repeatability between replicates and r.s.d. of the calibration regression was 0·204 and 0·215 respectively for samples ranging in DMD from 0·279 to 0·264.

Notes: Six varieties of white clover, each grown with perennial ryegrass, four intervals between cuts and two levels of applied nitrogen in all combinations, were compared in a field experiment during the first 27 months after sowing.Increasing the interval between harvests from 3 or 4 to 8–12 weeks increased the yield of white clover and generally did not reduce the proportion of clover in total herbage. Increasing the interval between harvests reduced the number of grass tillers but increased grass yield and the size of grass leaves and increased grass height more than clover height; it also increased the proportion of petiole relative to leaflet in the clover. Differences between varieties in response to interval between harvests were small but supported the view that medium large-leaved varieties can with advantage be defoliated rather less frequently than small-leaved ones. The adverse effect of applied N on clover appeared almost equally great with all four intervals between harvests and further research on this topic is suggested. Applied N increased grass height more than clover height and increased the number of grass tillers, the size of grass leaves and grass yield. The medium large-leaved varieties seemed more tolerant of applied N than the smaller varieties.

Notes: The most profitable use of grass in feeding a dairy herd is considered. Provided that the quality of the grass and grass products is sufficiently high for it to be used for part of the production ration, it is possible either to maintain a larger herd by buying concentrates, or to keep a smaller herd, feed less concentrates and use part of the grass for production. The potential herd size will depend both on the level of concentrate feeding and on the milk yield of the herd.When account is taken of the extra costs involved with larger herds (labour, capital charges and some variable costs) the optimum system depends on the level of milk yield. For herds yielding below 900 gallons average, the most profitable system is that which obtains the maximum production from grass. With herds of over 1000 gallons average it is more profitable to use concentrates for the production ration and to keep the maximum number of cows.

Notes: The characteristics and management requirements of the arid zone are described, as an introduction to the methods of development now being adopted in Kenya. The future intensification of commercial utilization is discussed.

Notes: An experiment involving 24 grassland sites was carried out to measure the influence of a large number of variables on upland yields between 900 and 1450 ft above sea level in western Aberdeenshire. The grass was harvested in mid-July and at the end of October 1966. Few factors were significant in the first harvest yields. In the second harvest yields, aspect and soil parent material were both significant at the 1% level, and available soil phosphate at the 5% level. Total yields (DM) for the growing season were correlated with parent material (2% level), with available soil P (1% level) and with the P and K content of the leaf (1% and 5% levels). Yields were also correlated with sward age (5% level) and sward condition (1% level). A number of variables were highly correlated with sward age and condition, including the leaf content (second harvest) of K, P and crude protein (0.1%, 1% and 1% levels).The highest yield was 4700 kg/ha/year and the average yield 2585 kg/ha/year, but the results showed that the average could be substantially increased by good management, especially by P fertilizer. The results confirmed that there was no marked fall-off in yields with increasing altitude (r=0.066, 0.194 and 0.112) and there appeared scope for reclamation on suitable sites at higher elevations.

Notes: Autumn grazing of creeping red fescue seed fields at moderate stocking rates produced excellent animal gains, while only slightly reducing the subsequent seed yields. Under autumn grazing of moderate intensity (3.7 animal units/ha) steers made gains of over 1 kg/day while seed yields were reduced by 8%. Under grazing of heavy intensity (6.2 animal units/ha) animal gains were almost 1 kg/day, but seed yields were reduced by 16%.A spring-grazing period reduced seed yields by 35% and was too short to provide animal gains. Removal of the aftermath as hay improved seed yields slightly, particularly in the second and third harvest years.A conversion of TDN to body gain of 5.5:1 indicated that the nutritive quality of the aftermath was adequate.

Notes: The origin and introduction of Pangola grass Digitaria decumbens (Stent) into the Caribbean islands is described. The rapid spread of this species in cultivation throughout the regions is ascribed to four characteristics which coincided so closely with the economic and technical needs of the region as to override the inherent disadvantages of this grass. Its outstanding characteristics are ease of establishment, vigour, adaptability, palatability and resistance to grazing. The agronomic and nutritional characteristics and the productive potential of Pangola grass are com-pared with other forage species cultivated in the region and with a temperate grass species. These characteristics are discussed in the context of the introduction and evaluation of forage species and the intensification of output from forage crops.