284 Agricultural Chemistry — Sheep- Feeding and Manure, 



ceptional being pen 2 at periods 5 and 9 ; on the other hand the 

 uniformity is most striking at periods 7 and 1 1 ; at the former, pen 

 3 is the only gainer, to the small extent of 0*2 lb., pen 1 losing 

 that amount, and pen 4 considerably more ; whilst at period 11 

 there is a loss of weight in every pen. Considering the uni- 

 formity as to time and circumstances of weighing, it is scarcely 

 likely that these results are attributable to an irregular allotment 

 of food on the days of weighing, but is more likely to be de- 

 pendent on the state of the weather as to temperature and other 

 circumstances, so influencing the appetite, the action of the 

 lungs, the liver and the circulation, as materially to aff'ect the 

 temporary amount of the contents of the alimentary cavities and 

 passages. A reference, however, to the exact amount of food 

 consumed, and to the maximum, minimum, and mean tempe- 

 ratures during the several periods — whilst it is not without interest 

 as bearing upon these points — does not so satisfactorily account for 

 the facts observed, as to justify a full consideration of them in this 

 place. The remarks already made, however, will serve some 

 useful purpose, if they direct the attention of other experimenters 

 to sources of errors which have not unfrequently been overlooked, 

 and which, if not avoided, are in danger of leading the farmer 

 sadly to miscalculate in reference to a very important branch of 

 his operations. 



The following summary will bring to view the average weekly 

 increase of each animal upon the same and the different foods, 

 for the entire period of 13 weeks and 6 days : — 



SERIES I. 



Table 4. — Showing the Average Weekly Increase of each Sheep for the entire 

 period of the Experiment. Quantities stated in Pounds and Ounces. 



Such is the variation between one sheep and another as shown 

 in the Table, that taking the results of each pen collectively, little 

 exact information can be obtained from them respecting the re- 

 lative value of the different foods as meat-producers. In pen 1 

 with oil-cake, there are 2 sheep giving an amount of increase con- 

 siderably less than half that of the other 3 on the same food. 

 In pen 2 with oats, there is one animal scarcely exceeding l-3rd 



