OIL-CAKE. 231 



The preceding figures relate to perfectly dry oil- 

 cake, and not to that met with in commerce. Such 

 cake as is furnished by the oil-mills invariably con- 

 tains water, and on an average calculation about 

 12 per cent. ; consequently, the value above stated 

 must be reduced about one eighth, and reckoned at 

 from 45. 3d to 5s. Id. per cwt. It will be seen that 

 the difference in the sorts which may be regarded as 

 most extensively used in Germany is of no great im- 

 portance, and hence their manuring value may be con- 

 sidered verp nearly equal. As the price for rocket- 

 cake, which furnishes no agreeable food for stock, is 

 usually lower than that of rape and early rape cake, 

 they are especially recommended as a very cheap ma- 

 nure. According to the prices current in England, a 

 hundred-weight of rape-cake is there bought at IO5. 

 lid., and is, therefore, more than twice as expensive 

 as in Germany, where it can now be obtained for 

 from 2s. lOd. to 4^. Sd. If English agriculturists find 

 it worth their while, as must, indeed, be supposed, to 

 purchase oil-cakes at this high price, it may surely be 

 expected that the German farmer, who can procure 

 them at less than half the expense, will derive a more 

 than commensurate advantage from their use. 



1^^. Oil- Cake as a Manure. 



From a cursory glance at the constituents of oil- 

 cake, no doubt can be entertained which of its in- 

 gredients plays the principal part in its operation on 

 the soil. It is certainly the nitrogen, or, to speak 



