724 ANNUAL REPORT OF KEW-YORK 



contain only about 17.5S lbs. of water; still, in several analyses 

 of excrement I have noticed little difference in the percentage of 

 moisture in that from the fattening animals as compared with 

 that ti'om cows sivins: milk. 



These facts would seem to show that upwards of 20 lbs. more 

 water were given off from the lungs and pores of the skin of a 

 milking than of a fattening animal. 



The excrement of the six milk cows. 88 lbs. per day on the 

 average, is found to contain of nitrogen .36, equal to that in 

 2.2b lbs. of albumen; whilst 1.85 of albumen in the 20 lbs. of 

 hay is found adequate for maintenance. 



On comparing the supply of the food to the six milk cows with 

 tlieir requirements and production, there seems an excess in the 

 albuminous matter, a deficiency in the oil for the fat and butter, 

 an excess in the starch, &c. Taking, however, the increased ac- 

 tivity of the animal functions and consequent consumption of 

 food by the milk cow, I am not encouraged to lower my standard 

 of food. That it has sufficed, is abundantly proved, as each of 

 the six cows under observation has gained in condition during 

 27 J weeks. 



My observations on nutrition tend to the conclusion, that if 

 you supply animals with starch, sugar, &c., to satisfy their re- 

 quirements for respiration, you enable them to convert the oil of 

 their food into butter or fat to such extent as their particular or- 

 ganism is fitted for effectins: it. 



In the treatment of the six cows, it will be seen that the oil in 

 the food is inadequate for the supply of the butter and of the fat, 

 some portion of Avhich will have been derived from the starch, 

 sugar, &c. Of the efficacy and adaj)tation of these for the pro- 

 duction of fat, I propose to explain my views by drawing a com- 

 parison as to the production of food adapted for the use of man 

 in the form of beef and of milk, on which I find in recent and 

 deservedly popular Avorks what appear vague and extravagant 

 statements.* 



* Professor Johnston, in his " Agricultural Chemistry," (p. 406,) quotes, 

 (though %vith hesitation,) Sir John Sinclair and M. Riedesel, the former of 

 \Thom states that the same weight of herbage which will produce less than 30 

 lbs. of dr}^ human food in the form of beef, will 3'ield 500 lbs. in the form of 

 milk; and the latter sa3'S that the same quantity of hay will produce either 100 

 lbs. of beef or 1000 pounds of milk. 



