i42 



■ALLOVTANCE. 



tion of the living weight to the food being, therefore, as 100 is to 

 2 73, say 2f . 



The largest cow, again, weighed 1784 lbs., (127 stone 4 lbs.,) so 

 that the relation is here as 100 is to 1.85, or 1 ioths. The average 

 relation, taking the whole of the cows in the stable, came out as 100 

 is to 2.25 ; in other words, for every 100 lbs. of carcass weight, 

 24 lbs. of meadow-hay per day had to be allowed. 



It thus appears, from these inquiries, that growing animals require 

 moi'e food relatively to their weight than when they are adult. The 

 young animals, upon which I made my observations, were from 5 to 

 20 months old ; and for this age I found that for every 100 of living 

 weight 3.08, or upwards of 3^ lbs., of hay were required. The fol- 

 lowmg table will give my conclusions at a glance : 



In the course of the experiments, the calves were kept on good 

 meadow-hay. allowed thom at will, accordinir to our usual custom. 

 tJK^ hay that was put into the crib once a day was woighi^l. and an 

 account was kept and deducted of any that had been loft of the pre- 

 vious day's allowance. The length of time during which each .sev- 

 eral e.xperiuR'iit was continued, varied from 2 to 13 days; and I have 

 thought it right to indicate the season of the year, lest that .should 

 have any influence. To sum up. then, it may be said, tliat for every 

 100 of living weight neat cattle require : 



