312 ON THE ECONOMICAL USE OF TURNIPS 



it iQust be borne iu mind that roots are there scarce and expen- 

 sive to raise, whereas concentrated dry food, such as maize, &c., 

 is plentiful and cheap in comparison \Yith the state of matters 

 in this country. 



We have been furnished with a statement by Mr Bryce 

 Wright, Dowhill, Girvan, regarding three dift'erent systems of 

 feeding cattle, which we shall use as the basis of our calculations 

 to compare the relative profit of feeding cattle upon an unlimited 

 supply of turnips and oat-straw, and of feeding them upon a 

 restricted quantity of the former with two different weights and 

 values of dry concentrated food. The different time required to 

 make a bullock lit for the shambles according!; to each diet is 

 based on Mr Wright's personal experience and observation of the 

 three different svstems. Of course farmers wdll form their own 

 estimate of these figures ; but we venture to aihrm that they will 

 be found a close approximation to fact, as, indeed, might be 

 expected, considering Mr Wright's lengthened experience in this 

 special department, and his close and accurate observation of 

 all matters pertaining to the farm. We should explain that 

 the calculations of expense are based on bean meal being bought 

 at 23s. 4d. per 280 lbs., and linseed cake (Pearson's home made) 

 at £10, 10s. per ton, turnips grown on the farm being reckoned 

 at 10s. per ton, or 6d. per cwt. To simplify the statement as 

 much as possible, the element of fodder is left out of account 

 altogether, it being presumed that the same weight will be con- 

 sumed in each case. 



It is presumed that three bullocks or three lots of bullocks, 

 as equal as possible in every respect, are put up to be fattened, 

 and are fed upon different diets. The rations and estimated 

 expense in each case will appear from the following condensed 

 statement : — 



Class I. — Fed on turnips alone, "svitli straw : — 



168 lbs. (1^ cwt.) turnips daily, at 6d. per cwt. = 9d. per day, or 

 5s. 3d. per week, or 21s. per month. It is estimated that 

 this lot must be fed in this way for seven months before 

 they are fat, costing in that time £7, 7s. 



Class II. — Fed on limited turnips (84 lbs.), with 2 lbs. bean meal, 4 lbs. 

 linseed cake, and straw : — 



84 lbs. (I cwt.) tiu-nips, at 6d. per cwt. . . 4^d. per day. 

 2 lbs. bean meal, at Id. per lb. . . . 2d. „ 

 4 lbs. linseed meal, at l^d. per lb. . . 4id. „ 



lid. per day, 

 or 6s. 8d. per week, or 25s. 8d. j)er month, or £6, 8s. 4d. 

 for the five months that will be necessary to feed each fat 

 on the above diet. 



