PROFIT ON AN OX FED WITH COMPOUND. 147 



which will consume the last of the grass, which is the worst, and 

 the first of the turnips, which are the best, allowing them a 

 liberal and equal proportion of compound. 



It will easily be seen that the advantage of a quick return 

 consists in selling the same weight of bones with a less propor- 

 tion of meat than if kept a longer period to obtain a greater 

 increase. For, keeping the same price of meat in view, sup- 

 pose an ox is sent, after having been grazed six months, to 

 market, and you are offered 2 1/, for him, at 7s. per stone, which 

 you refuse, and keep him six months longer ; you then sell him 

 at 7s. per stone ; the increased weight during the latter time 

 will chiefly consist of meat, and the return for food will be much 

 less than for the former six months. 



To make the case more clear. I expect that an ox purchased 

 at ten guineas, would at the end of six months weigh 60 stone, 

 of 14 Ibs. to the stone, which, if sold at 7s. per stone, would 

 amount to 21/., and repay for his keeping 10 guineas; but if 

 retained six months longer, his weight would not exceed 80 

 stone, which would only amount to 28/., leaving a balance in 

 favour of the quick return of 31. 105. 



In the following series of letters I have endeavoured in 

 some measure to afford information alike advantageous to all 

 who have stock to maintain. In their perusal the reader will 

 perceive that it is not by the profuse, but by the economical, 

 use of linseed that its real value can be ascertained, and 

 that time and experience alone are required to develop the 

 immeasurable advantages to the British nation of the flax 

 crop. 



L 2 



