EXTRACTS 1' U H K 1 (i X AND DO M 1'. STIC. 155 



gage. When put on turnips, the daily allowance of cake (say 1 lb. 

 each) is resumed, and continued steadily through the winter and 

 spring, until they are again turned to grass. This not merely pro- 

 motes their growth and feeding, but (so far as five or six years' ex- 

 perience can determine the point) seems a specific against black-leg, 

 which was often so fatal as altogether to deter many farmers from 

 breeding. It may be well to state here distinctly the particular 

 purpose for which cake is given at the different stages of their 

 growth. At first, the object is to accustom them to a wholesome 

 and nvtricious diet, which will supplement the milk obtained from 

 any given number of cows, so as to achnit of a greater number of 

 calves being reared, and at the same time have greater justice done 

 them than could otherwise be practicable. At weaning time, 

 again, it is given to help the young animal over the transition from 

 milk to grass alone, without check to growth or loss of condition. 

 During the following winter, however, the special object of its 

 use is to prevent black-leg, as, but for this, turnips ad libitum 

 would be sufficient. When put to grass as year-olds, they deci- 

 dedly thrive better on sown grass of the first year than on old pas- 

 ture, differing in this respect from cattle whose growth is matured. 

 They are laid on turnips again as early in the autumn as these are 

 ready ; and it is a good practice to sow a few acres of globes to be 

 ready for this express purpose. It does well to give the turnips 

 upon the grass for ten or fourteen days before putting them finally 

 into the feeding yards ; and then, if they can be kept dry and 

 warm, and receive daily as many good turnips as they can possi- 

 bly eat (globe till Christmas and Swedish afterwards), they wnll 

 grow at a rate that will afford their owner daily pleasure in watch- 

 ing their progress, and reach a weight by the 1st of May which, 

 if markets are favorable, w'ill reward him well for his pains. The 

 leading features of this system are uniform good keeping and pro- 

 gressive improvement ; in other words, to get them fat as soon 

 after their birth as possible, and keep them so till they reach ma- 

 turity. The details given above are a description of the expedi- 

 ents generally adopted by the breeders of this district for securing 

 these objects. 



[From tlie last Report of tlie Commissioner of Patents.] 



SILK. 



During the past year the silk business in this country has been 

 steadily advancing. A greater interest is evidently felt in the sub- 

 ject ; the evidence is decisive, that it needs only patient perseve- 

 •;mce to accomplish greater things than its warmest advocates have 



