USES OF HEMP-SEED. 343 



The use of hemp-seed in this country is confined chiefly 

 to the food of cage birds, all of which are remarkabl} 7 " fond 

 of it. For poultry it forms a very nutritive food, and may 

 always be given with advantage in the spring and autumn, 

 at moulting time. The early writers Matthiolus and 

 others recommended its use for poultry, as causing them 

 to lay eggs more plentifully. It has been used occasionally 

 in this country for general feeding purposes, for which 

 sometimes its comparatively low market price offers great 

 inducements. Mr. Telfer tried it at Cunning Park, and 

 formed a favourable opinion of its nutritive properties. 

 At all events, now that we know its general composition, 

 it is our own faults if we do not render the knowledge 

 available whenever the market prices are favourable for 

 the purpose. 



