SUGAR FOR GENERAL FEEDING. 309 



(11) Were any observations made (11) Nothing could exceed the 

 on the quality of the flesh produced quality of the flesh, and from the 

 by this food? If any trials were trial I made on milch cows it cer- 

 made on milch cows, what was the tainly greatly improved their condi- 

 effect on the quality and quantity of tion without any visible increase of 

 the milk ? the quantity of milk. 



(12) From the result of your trials, (12) The use of the molasses must 

 have you found any estimate of the depend on the price of every other 

 price at which this article of food article of a fattening tendency, 

 would be profitable in the use? 



(13) Were the stock weighed alive (13) No weight of stock taken at 

 at the commencement of the experi- the time of putting up; their value 

 ment, or the value ascertained by increased in as great a proportion as 

 other means ? if fed by any other means. 



(14) Were the stock slaughtered (14) The two former sets of oxen 

 from sugar or put to other food? If were slaughtered from molasses; the 

 the latter, were they weighed alive, last two oxen deemed worthy of 

 to ascertain the increase weight notice at Lord Somerville's show were 

 gained by the sugar? fed on molasses the 1st of February, 



and the remaining month upon cake. 



But between 1850 and I860 some German investigations were 

 the starting point of considerable information on the subject, 

 and deserve more than a passing notice. 



It was very natural that as sugar had been used in the form of 

 molasses for forage combinations, the use of sugar alone should 

 have been thought of. The only obstacle in the way was its 

 excessive price; but in 1874, after the duty on sugar had been 

 done away with in England, renewed efforts were made to feed 

 cattle with it, and little by little this has become a regular prac- 

 tice in that country. 



In Brazil, chickens and the like have been fed with sugar for Sugar for ger- 

 many years back. In India it is frequently customary to sub- ffa ' 

 stitute a portion of cereal for sugar in feeding, with the view to 

 economy. 



Sugar gives to all animals to which it is fed the best of ap- 

 pearance, explained by the fact that it is a rational substance, 

 and the mammifera consume considerable quantities in the milk 

 during their early feeding. However, it must be noticed that 

 saccharose does not produce the most desirable effects in all 

 cases, and this may be, in a measure, accounted for by de- 

 fective digestive organs which vary with the individual. 



