154 DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



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ment made upon sheep, by selecting those of nearly 

 equal weight, and feeding for four months under dif- 

 ferent circumstances. One was entirely unsheltered, 

 another in an open shed, another still in a close shed 

 and in the dark. The food was alike, 1 lb. of oats 

 each per day, anil as many turnips as they chose to 

 eat. 



a. The first sheep consumed 1912 lbs. of turnips, 

 the second 1394 lbs., and the third 886 lbs., or less 

 than half of those eaten by the first. 



b. The first one gained 23J lbs. in weight, the se- 

 cond 27J lbs., and the third 28{ lbs. 



c. For every 100 lbs. of turnips eaten, the first 

 gained in weight 1§ lb., the second 2 lbs., the third 

 3 T V lbs. This is a most striking example of the effect 

 of warmth and shelter; the one kept in a close shed 

 and in the dark, eat less than half as much, and gained 

 more than the unsheltered one. 



Another remarkable instance is given by Prof. John- 

 ston. Twenty sheep were kept in the open field, and 

 twenty others of nearly equal weight, kept under a 

 comfortable shed. They were fed alike for the three 

 winter months, having each per day \ lb. linseed 

 cake, ^ pint barley, with a little hay and salt, and as 

 many turnips as they wished to eat. " The sheep in 

 the field consumed all the barley and oil cake, and 

 about 19 lbs. of turnips each per day, so long as the 

 trial lasted, and increased in the whole 512 lbs. Those 

 under the shed consumed at first as much food as the 

 others, but after the third week they eat 2 lbs. each of 

 turnips less per day; and in the ninth week 2 lbs. 

 less again, or only 15 lbs. per day. Of the linseed 

 cake they also eat about \ less than the other lot, and 

 yet increased in weight 790 lbs., or 278 lbs. more 

 than the others." 



This too was with nearly 200 lbs. less of oil cake, 

 and about 2 tons less of turnips, according to the above 



