RETURN OF MUTTON FOR FOOD CONSUMED 641 



To calculate the return of produce from the dry food 

 consumed, say an increase of I Ib. of live-weight for 9 Ibs. 

 dry material eaten : 



Dry Matter 



In 140 Ibs. of roots, at lo p. c. dry . = 14 Ibs. 



In 10^ Ibs. hay, corn, etc., at 86 p. c. dry . = 9 Ibs. 



Increase of 

 live-weight. 

 Dry matter consumed weekly . . . 23 Ibs. -f 9 = 2f Ibs. 



To find the yield of mutton : 



Ibs. Ibs. 



loo : 68 : : 2f : 1.74 



Percentage Live- Dressed 



increase weight. mutton, 

 in finishing. 



Weeks. Ibs. Total return in 16 weeks. 



Thus Increase in 16 = 27.8, at 53. per 8 Ibs. . 173. $d. (nearly). 



Cost of feeding, 1 6 weeks . . . ' . I2s. 6d. 



Net profit, 1 6 weeks . . . 43. nd. 



The calculation assumes that the cost of shepherding and 

 the average loss from death are more than counterbalanced 

 by the value of the manure produced. 



The above figures do not show the actual profit to the 

 farmer by the transaction,' as much depends upon the cost 

 per Ib. of the flesh of the lean sheep when bought, and 

 whether the purchase price was more or less than the sale 

 price. Here again is to be seen the superlative importance 

 of a knowledge of the live-weight, in place of trusting to 

 good luck to make a fortunate guess " by hand and eye " at 

 the weight of the animals. The ordinary farmer only attempts 

 this guess once annually, consequently he has little practice, 

 and is most likely to make a mistake. 



Sheep, either rough or clipped, are sometimes sold by 

 the feeder to the butcher by the pound, " sinking the offal," 

 viz., 6d., 8d., iod., or is. per Ib. of dressed carcase, according 

 to the quality and range of prices in the market. The 

 butcher gets the head, feet, skin, and intestines, including 

 " web tallow," all into the bargain. The web tallow, or 

 store of fat which surrounds or encloses the bowels and 

 stomach of a fat sheep, often weighs 10 Ibs. to 14 Ibs., and 

 in the case of the Down breeds even more. 



2 S 



