68 



much from each other in size, condition, and appetite, by which 

 circumstances, of course, their consumption of food is hkely 

 to be affected. 



Example 3. — The following experiment came directly under 

 my own inspection. The oxen referred to here were selected 

 by a man of as good judgment as could be found, that the ex- 

 periment might be conducted with all possible fairness. The 

 pair of oxen cost on the first of December sixty-five dollars ; 

 and they were slaughtered the 26th February. They were 

 kept clean ; daily carded, and fed at regular hours with care 

 and fidelity. They were eighty-eight days in the stall, being 

 turned out twice a day for watering, and the food consumed at 

 current prices and the result are subjoined. 



73 bushels of turnips, or mangel wurtzel, at 10 cents 

 per bushel, ....... 



36i bushels of Indian meal, at 60 cents per bushel, 

 65J bushels of potatoes, at 25 cents per bushel. 

 Hay not ascertained, but estimated for both at 25 

 lbs. per day at 50 cents per 100 lbs. . 



$56 56i 

 Value of oxen when first put up, $65, added to cost 



of feed, $56 56i cents, 121 56^ 



Weight when killed 1846 lbs. for which were ob- 

 tained 5 cents per lb. or $5 per 100 lbs. . . 92 30 



Loss upon the oxen, $29 26J 



It has been said by some persons in this case, that there 

 was an error in using so many vegetables, and that they should 

 have been fed exclusively on hay and Indian meal. The loss 

 would have been less, but the account then would have stood 

 thus : 



