222 Mode of Feeding Cattle. [April, 



sion of a mass of knowledge in regard to the objects of the As- 

 sociation, so that the Agriculturists present might aid them in the 

 diffusion of knowledge. In selecting topics for discussion at these 

 meetings, they looked at the character of the country, and en- 

 quired of practical men in the district what topics were best suited 

 for the purpose of affording useful information; and as the ques- 

 tion of the use of prepared food for cattle was one of very general 

 interest in this as well as in other parts of the country, it was to 

 form the first subject of this morning's conversation. The second 

 subject, on the other hand, being one rather pastoral than agri- 

 cultural, had a direct bearing upon questions of great interest to 

 the farmers of Southerlandshire, and in other districts around In- 

 verness, and in this respect was peculiarly appropriate. In refer- 

 ence to the first question — the feeding of cattle — no district in the 

 island was more interested than this. He could not tell them how 

 much stock was shipped from Inverness last year, but he trusted 

 Dr. Nicol, or some other gentleman, would be able to furnish them 

 with information on the subject. He believed however, it was to 

 a very large amount indeed; and he had no doubt but it was in- 

 creased since by the greater facilities of communication with the 

 London and other markets. As a cattle importing district there- 

 fore, the extension of sound information in regard to the economi- 

 cal use of food, must be of the very greatest importance; that is 

 in what way they could grow the greatest amount of beef or mut- 

 ton at the least possible expense. This he was prepared to show 

 was to be affected by the use of certain mixed food, and prepared 

 food. An individual going from one end of the country to another 

 to observe the state of agriculture, will look not merely at the 

 kind of stock, but he will more particularly observe the imple- 

 ments of husbandry in use throughout the various districts. In 

 order therefore, to form an estimate of the degree of attention 

 paid to this matter of prepared food in England, on his visit to 

 Newcastle at the great cattle-show recently held there, he turned 

 his attention particularly to the examination of the implements ex- 

 hibited having a bearing upon this point. Amongst these he 

 found chaff-cutters, a peculiar machine for crushing corn and other 

 seeds, and other instruments; all showing how much regard was 

 being paid to this subject by practical men. There was no doubt 

 but that the subject of the quantity of food which cattle require 

 to produce a certain weight of beef wasbegining to attract general 

 attention; but before he entered upon the few points which he 

 meent to notice in connection with this question, perhaps it would 

 be neccessary to explain shortly the general composition of food. 

 In all kinds of bread there were contained three different kinds of 

 matter. First of all there was a certain quantity of fat, which the 

 butter they ate represented; secondly, there was a certain amount 



