On iJw Uses of Sus^ar for fattening Cattle. 265 



Sir John Sinclair, Bart. M.P. calltdj and examined by 

 the committee. 



*' Has the board of agriculture been taking any steps to 

 ascertain the effects of sugar in feeding or fattening Jive 

 stock ?" "Directions were given to Mr. Arthur Young, se- 

 cretary to the board, to collect as many facts as he possibly 

 eould, tending to point out the advantages of the use of 

 sugar in feeding or fattening live stock, which are now o-lven 

 in J and a premium has been offered I)y the board to the 

 following effect : ' To the persons who shall make and re- 

 port to the loard the most satisfactwy experiments to ascer- 

 tain the qiiantiiij, the effect, and the value of Iroivn imisKO- 

 vado sugar, in feeding or fattening oxen, cows, ho^s, or 

 s/iecp, a piece of plate of the value q/ 25 guineas.' 



" The board would have been very happy to have given a 

 larger premium, had its funds admitted of it ; but full jus- 

 tice cannot be done to so extensive an inquiry, unless pre- 

 miums to so large an amount as lOOO/. in all were granted 

 by parliament for that special purpose." 



John Curwen, Esq. M. P. was then examined by the 

 committee, who stated that he had tried sugar and molasses 

 on calves, without success : " But," said he, " I conceive it 

 inay be applied for rearing stock, giving a part skim-milk." 

 He stated that he had used it in the proportion of 2 oz. of 

 jnolasses boiled in two gallons of water, which was found 

 to produce great laxity in the animal. On this the com- 

 Uiittee remark (page 395) : " The apparent results from the 

 evidence of an honourable member of this house appear dis- 

 couraging; but it docs not seem impossible to account for 

 them, without concluding against the general effect of suo-ar 

 given in larger quantities, and in a less diluted form. Ex- 

 periments, which it is hoped will prove more decisive are 

 about to be instituted." 



27 lb day of May 1S08. Lord Binning in the chair, 

 Arthur Young, esq. called, and examined by the com- 

 mittee, n 



" Can you give the committee any information as to the 



probability 



