154 DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



ment made upon sheep, by selecting those of nearly 

 equal weight, and feeding for four months under dif 

 ferent circumstances. One was entirely unsheltered, 

 another in an open shed, another still in a close shed 

 and in the dark. The food was alike, 1 Ib. of oats 

 each per day, and as many turnips as they chose to 

 eat. 



a. The first sheep consumed 1912 Ibs. of turnips, 

 the second 1394 Ibs., and the third 886 Ibs., or less 

 than half 'of those eaten by the first. 



b. The first one gained 23| Ibs. in weight, the se 

 cond 27J Ibs., and the third 28J Ibs. 



c. For every 100 Ibs. of turnips eaten, the first 

 gained in weight 1| Ib., the second 2 Ibs., the third 

 3 T V Ibs. This is a most striking example of the effect 

 of warmth and shelter; the one kept in a close shed 

 and in the dark, eat less than half as much, and gained 

 more than the unsheltered one. 



Another remarkable instance is given by Prof. John 

 ston. Twenty sheep were kept in the open field, and 

 twenty others of nearly equal weight, kept under a 

 comfortable shed. They were fed alike for the three 

 winter months, having each per day J Ib. linseed 

 cake, ^ pint barley, with a little hay and salt, and as 

 many turnips as they wished to eat. " The sheep in 

 the field consumed all the barley and oil cake, and 

 about 19 Ibs. of turnips each per day, so long as the 

 trial lasted, and increased in the whole 512 Ibs. Those 

 under the shed consumed at first as much food as the 

 others, but after the third week they eat 2 Ibs. each of 

 turnips less per day; and in the ninth week 2 Ibs. 

 less again, or only 15 Ibs. per day. Of the linseed 

 cake they also eat about J less than the other lot, and 

 yet increased in weight 790 Ibs., or 278 Ibs. more 

 than the others." 



This too was with nearly 200 Ibs. less of oil cake, 

 and about 2 tons less of turnips, according to the above 



