66 REPORTS ON DIFFERENT DESCRIPTIONS OF FOOD FOR STOCK. 



The manures applied for the swedes and mangolds used in 

 these experiments were the same in both years, and are what we 

 usually apply for these crops, viz., 25 cubic yards farm-yard 

 dung, and in addition, 4 cwts. Peruvian guano, 1 cwt. super- 

 phosphate (containing 35°/ " soluble phosphates "), and 2 cwts. 

 common salt per acre, to the mangolds ; and 3 cwts. guano and 

 2 cwts. superphosphate to the swedes. 



Samples of the roots were sent to Professor Anderson for 

 analysis. The following are the results : — 



Considering that there are some apparent anomalies visible in 

 these experiments, it is quite possible that the results may be 

 partly fortuitous, or, at least, that they may have been affected 

 by unnoticed causes ; and that, even under like conditions, re- 

 sults differing to some extent from these might be got. We say 

 this not that we wish the reader to think that these experiments 

 have been carelessly made, or that somehow or other he should 

 put no confidence in them, but to guard him against a prevailing 

 tendency to rely too implicitly in the results of single experi- 

 ments. We confess our own confidence in the superior feeding 

 value of mangolds has received a shake severe enough to induce 

 us hereafter to grow a quantity of mangolds sufficient only to 

 fill the gap in April and beginning of May, between the last of 

 the swedes and the first of the pastures. 



III. Some Experiments on the Comparative Feeding Values of Bean- 

 meal and Oatmeal, 1864. 



Since the repeal of the Corn Laws, an excellent market has been 

 opened in Britain for the superfluous grain of other countries ; 

 and during the last twenty years the invention of labour-saving 

 machinery, and the cheapening of transit, have placed the 

 foreigner on a much better footing for successful competition in 

 our markets than he ever held at any previous period. The con- 

 sequence is, that an immense trade has been gradually developed, 

 our grain markets are glutted with enormous importations, and 

 cereals can no longer be grown in this country with the same 

 remuneration. The importation of dairy produce, and especially 



