312 Food. 



fact, that, during the cane seaaon, not only the Slaves 'in the West 

 India Islands are observed to grow fatter, than at any other period^ 

 but the same change takes place in all animals that have access to the 

 sugar, such as Goats, Sheep and Rats. Nay, the very Mules, 

 whose labour is extremely severe, (being increased in a double and 

 sometimes a triple proportion, during the cane season,) are always 

 found to grow fat, in spite of their hard work, at this particular pe- 

 riod. So that there can be no doubt that all such hay as is sweetej^t 

 to the taste, must also (csBteris paribus,) contain the greatest quantity of 

 nutriment. But, the management of the fermentation of hay in the 

 stack, so as to produce the greatest quantity of Saccharine matter, 

 without the risque of generating so much heat as to endanger its 

 taking fire, or producing that partial combustion, which constitutes 

 Mow-burnt Hay, is a matter which I dare not give any directions 

 concerning, never having had an opportunity of making any expe- 

 riments upon the subject. 



There can be no doubt, however, that the thermometer would prove 

 an instrument indispensably necessary to the success of the process. 

 The fattening property of Malt Mashes, too, hinges, in great mea- 

 sure, upon the quantity of Saccharine matter contained in the malt ; 

 and so decided are the effects of the nutritious quality of Sugar, that 

 it has even been recommended to Government to permit the deterio- 

 ration of this article, after taking off the duty, (by way of guarding 

 against frauds of the revenue,) and to give it largely in order to expe- 

 dite the fattening of cattle. 



It appears from the analysis of various grasses, made by Sir 

 Humphry Davy, that they vary very much, not only as to the whole 

 quantity of soluble or nutritious matter found in them, but also as to the 



