280 EXPERIMENT FOR ASCERTAINING WEIGHT OF STOCK 



the young rushes the percentage of water is high, and that of 

 the other constituents correspondingly low. The amount of fibre 

 is not greater than in the grasses. It is proposed to make a 

 further study of one or two of these species and of others which 

 are eaten, though to a less extent than these, by sheep. 



REPORT ON AN EXPERIMENT FOR ASCERTAINING THE 

 ACTUAL ADDITION OF WEIGHT TO FATTENING STOCK 

 BY THE USE OF DIFFERENT KINDS OF FOOD. 



Bj John Milne, M.A., King-Edward, Aberdeenshire. 



[Premium — Ten Sovereigns.'] 



The Society directs the attention of experimenters to various 

 roots, grains, oilseeds and cakes, and to the effect of warmth and 

 proper ventilation, and the difference between food cooked and 

 raw. In experimenting with oilseeds and cakes attention is 

 directed to be paid to the comparative advantages, economically 

 and otherwise, of the substances in those states. It is directed 

 that, before commencing comparative experiments, the animals 

 ought to be fed alike for some time previously, and that the 

 experiments should extend over a period of not less tlian three 

 months. It is specified that in the case of cattle no lot should 

 consist of fewer than four, and that the animals selected should 

 be of the same age, sex, and breed, and so far as possible of the 

 same weight, condition, and maturity ; and that the live weight, 

 before and after the experiment, should be stated, with their 

 dead weight also and tallow, if killed. 



Cattle feeding is the most important industry in the north- 

 east of Scotland. More than 1600 cattle, worth upwards 

 of £50,000, in the highest possible condition, are sent alive 

 annually from Aberdeenshire alone to the London Christ- 

 mas market. Banff, Moray, Koss and other counties bring up 

 the total annual supply from Scotland to the London Christmas 

 market to from 2000 to 3000 head of cattle. The quantity of 

 dead meat also which is sent to London during the Christmas 

 market week is enormous. The trade in fat cattle is not by 

 any means confined to this period of the year, but it is at this 

 season that the northern farmers turn out the heaviest and fattest 

 cattle. The London Christmas market, with prices ranging 

 from 6s. per stone to 6s. 6d for the very choicest animals, 

 stimulates them to put forth their utmost energy and skill, both 

 as agriculturists and as breeders and feeders of cattle. 



Christmas bullocks are sold at an average age of two years 

 and nine months, and no sooner has the produce of one year 

 been disposed of than their places are filled with animals a year 

 younger. These are immediately put in process of preparation 



