EXPERIMENT IN FEEDING. 237 



upon sheep, by selecting those of nearly equal weight, 

 and feeding for four months under the following condi 

 tions. One was wholly unsheltered, another in an open 

 shed, and another in a close shed and in the dark. The 

 food was alike, one pound of oats each per day, and as 

 many turnips as they would eat. The first consumed 

 nineteen hundred and twelve pounds of turnips, the second 

 thirteen hundred and ninety-four pounds, and the third 

 eight hundred and eighty-six pounds, or less than half of 

 those eaten by the first. The first gained twenty-three 

 and one-half pounds in weight, the second twenty-seven 

 and one-half pounds, and the third twenty-eight and one- 

 fourth pounds. For every one hundred pounds of turnips 

 eaten, the first gained in weight one and one-eighth pounds, 

 the second two pounds, and the third three and one-six 

 teenth pounds. The one confined in the dark ate less than 

 half as much, and gained more than the unsheltered one. 



845. If the farmer wish to make as much manure as 

 possible from a certain quantity of hay, straw or turnips, 

 the stock should be kept in a cool place Adhere the external 

 air is not entirely excluded, and allowed . to take a great 

 deal of exercise. If fed on rich food, like oil or Indian 

 meal, the manure of the animal is of far greater value. 



846. In general it may be stated that food which has 

 been crushed, ground or cooked, is more easily and com 

 pletely digested by stock, and furnishes more nourishment. 

 Three pounds of ground corn are equal to about four of 

 unground, and three of cooked Indian meal, to about four 

 of the same meal uncooked. Meal and roots arc usually 

 cooked by boiling. 



847. But where animals are already fattened, it is found 

 to be better to keep them 011 dry, hard food for a few days 

 before sending them to the butcher, as the fat is thus 



