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farmers^ I cannot doubt that if a society were formed in 

 England upon the same principles which instigated the forma- 

 tion of the Society in Ireland, it would tend materially to 

 advance the best interests of agriculture. 



Nothing can more clearly evince the fattening properties of 

 linseed than the striking effects produced by the offal, which 

 is formed into cake when the oil is extracted. Repeated and 

 extensive experiments have been made to fatten cattle with 

 the seed itself, also with the oil. But on account of the incon- 

 venience, trouble, and expense of preparing the food, with 

 the uncertainty of a profitable return, the use both of seed 

 and oil is nearly discontinued, and the prevailing opinion 

 now is that the offal is superior to the pure seed. For " there 

 is nothing like cake !" exclaim many writers on the subject, 

 and many farmers. Indeed, the prejudices of some were 

 carried so far at one time as to pronounce the oil pernicious, 

 and to recommend an article called double-pressed cake at an 

 extra cost of two pounds per ton, instead of the cake commonly 

 used ; but I believe the merit of this discovery does not belong 

 to Norfolk. A little reflection would have shown how impro- 

 bable it was that the seed-crusher would be so regardless of his 

 own interests as to leave oil, worth from 35Z. to 40/. per ton in 

 the cake, which he only sold for lOZ. 



That linseed-oil will fatten bullocks experience has placed 

 beyond a doubt. Amongst the fattest beasts ever sent to the 

 London market from Norfolk, was a lot of Scotch heifers, 

 grazed entirely on linseed-oil and hay; but the quantity 

 given per day, the cost per head, or any thing relative to profit 

 or loss, 1 never heard: farmers seldom keep account of such 

 matters ; hence the frequent failure of experiments. A bullock 

 may be allowed in general to eat as much cake in a day as he 

 pleases ; but a nice regard must always be had to the quan- 

 tity of linseed placed before him, and especially to the oil. 

 Neither oil nor linseed should be used in a crude state, but 

 formed into mucilage by being boiled in water. The seed 

 must be first reduced to fine meal ; one pound and a half of 

 which, stirred into twelve pounds of water while it is boiling, 

 with four pounds and a half of barley, beans, or pea-meal, 

 and given to a bullock of between 40 and 50 stone every day, 



