222 THE STOCKFEEDER'S COMPANION 



with a composition of A 43% O 10 ^ % F 6% , and a second lot 

 fed with decorticated cotton cake and maize meal, the 

 mixture giving a composition of A 26 . 8% O 7 . 42% F 4 . 13% . The 

 latter ration gave a larger increase in live weight by 

 one-twelfth, and cost one-seventh less than was the case 

 with the former. 



It is well known that immature roots in the 

 autumn tend to scour bullocks if fed in large quantities 

 without suitable concentrates. Bombay cotton cake 

 is known to have a very " binding " effect, and on 

 this account has a special value. Mr Bruce, Edinburgh 

 and East of Scotland Agricultural College, demon- 

 strated this point very effectively in the bullock-feeding 

 experiment of 1904-5. 



One lot of cattle received I to ij cwts. roots per 

 head per day, with straw, and in addition 8 to 10 Ibs. 

 of concentrated food. The increase in live weight 

 during the first three months was as follows : 



Aver. Monthly 



Concentrated Food. Increase in 



Live Weight. 



ist month 8 Ibs. Bombay cotton cake . . 707 Ibs. 



2nd 8 Bombay cotton cake . . 12-6 



, /8 Bombay cotton cake) 



" la linseed cake . J 



The splendid return during the first month was no 

 doubt due to the roots being immature, and the 

 Bombay cotton cake counteracting the laxative effect 

 of the roots ; but during the second month the roots 

 had ripened and had not such a laxative effect, hence 

 the Bombay cotton cake was too binding. The addition 

 of a laxative food like linseed cake to the ration 

 improved matters considerably, and accounts for the 

 enormous increase during the third month. The 



