442 



FEEDING ALLOWANCE. 



tion of tlie livin* weight to the food being, therefore, as 100 is to 

 2 73, say 2|. 



The largest cow, again, weighed 1784 lbs., (127 stone 4 lbs.,) so 

 <^at the relation is here as 100 is to 1.85, or 1 JJths. The average 

 relation, taking the whole of the cows in the stable, came out as 100 

 13 to 2.25 ; in other words, for every 100 lbs. of carcass weight, 

 24 lbs. of meadow-hay per day had to be allowed. 



It thus appears, from these inquiries, that growing animals require 

 more food relatively to their weight than when they are adult. The 

 young animals, upon which I made my observations, were from 5 to 

 20 months old ; and for this age I found that for every 100 of living 

 weight 3.08, or upwards of 3| lbs., of hay were required. The fol- 

 lowing table will give my conclusions at a glance : 



In the course of the experiments, the calves were kept on good 

 meadow-hay, allowed them at will, according to our usual custom, 

 the hay that was put into the crib once a day was weighed, and an 

 account was kept and deducted of any that had been left of the pre- 

 vious day's allowance. The length of time durmg which each sev- 

 eral experiment was continued, varied from 2 to 13 days; and I have 

 thought it right to indicate the season of the year, lest that should 

 have any influence. To sum up, then, it may be said, that for every 

 100 of living weight neat cattle require ; 



