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THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



It will be seen by the above table, that the number of sheep experimented upon in this 

 case was twenty, and that they were put in four separate pens of five sheep each; the sheep 

 being as nearly alike in condition, weight, age, etc., as possible, which is the only proper 

 principle upon which a just estimate of any such experiment can be made. 



TABLE 



Showing the Mean Weekly Increase of Thirty Sheep, fed upon Green Clover, and 1 Ib. each 

 of Oilcake, during a period of Eleven &quot;Weeks. 



With regard to the above, Mr. Lawes says: 



&quot; The rate of increase here indicated falls little short of the wider estimates usually 

 formed on this subject; and, while we are satisfied of the correctness of the figures given 

 above, and do not doubt the statements of others, yet we are convinced that such results are 

 very mischievously misapplied, if it be concluded that they in any degree fairly represent the 

 average increase obtained in practical farming. Indeed the circumstances under which these 

 sheep were placed were in every respect the most favorable that could be imagined, viz., 

 summer weather and the feed of a luxuriant crop of highly manured clover, with oilcake 

 besides conditions which at best can be equaled during a few months only of every twelve.&quot; 



