166 Dairy Management. 



per cent, of this element. This loss of nitrogen seems hitherto 

 to have been little noticed by practical feeders. It seems pos- 

 sible that this loss may be increased by too liberal a supply of 

 albuminous matter in the food. 



The next expei-iment was on eight cattle, and commenced March, 

 1855 ; the first six weeks after they were tied up, their food consisted 

 of chopped straw, shells of oats, and bean-straw, in about equal 

 proportions; 4 lbs. of rape-cake, 1 lb. bean-meal, h lb. linseed, 

 and -k lb. wheat ground together, and 30 lbs. swedes per day. The 

 straw, &c., were cooked by steaming. On this food two of the 

 heifers had gained 9 lbs. each in the month's weighing, the others 

 16 lbs. and 18 lbs. each per week ; the average being somewhat 

 more than 14 lbs. per week. A sample of the excrement was 

 sent on the 26th of March to Professor Way for analysis, which 

 gives — 



lbs. 



Moisture 83-81 



Orcjanic matter 13'44 



Sand, &c -93 



Phosphate of lime 'Gi 



Common salt '18 



Sulphate of soda and potash '95 



99-95 

 Nitrogen -51 = ammonia -62. 



The yield of excrement is at the rate of about 9^^ tons per year ; 

 value, 8s. Old. per ton ; or Is. Id. per week for each. 



My store of turnips being exhausted with March, an additional 

 proportion of bean-straw, with the above-mentioned allowance of 

 rape-cake, bean-meal, linseed, and wheat gi-ound together, was sup- 

 plied till the 24th of May, when a portion of meadow-grass was 

 mixed with the straw, and by degrees the straw was discontinued ; 

 when mown grass, together with the same allowance of extra food, 

 was given till the close of June, when the lot were of prime 

 quality, and sold for the top market price. Up to the close of 

 May their gain averaged over 14 lbs. per week ; daring June 

 they gained sometliing less than 14 lbs. per week. On the 29th 

 of June a sample of excrement was sent to Profess(u- Way, who 

 reported its contents : — 



lbs. 



Moisture 84-90 



Organic matter 11-94 



Sand -8G 



Phosphate of lime 1-33 



Common salt -24 



Sulphate of soda and potash '70 



100-00 

 Nitrogen • 94, equal to 1*14 ammonia. 



