No. 216.] 313 



instead of confinement upon a stable floor, I attribute the great ac 

 tivity and sprightliness of the cattle when at their perfection. Al- 

 though remarkable for expanding in size, and taking on fat, they 

 were never, what could be called, great eaters. 



I purchased the steers in the fall of 1843 for the sum of $60 00 

 I kept them for work 2| years, but as their work was 

 not severe, and they only received the ordinary keeping 

 of my stock, I estimate the expense of keeping over work, 



at 4s. per week for 2| years, --'-.»•' *-- 65 00 



I then, commenced feeding them, and for | of a year, fed 

 but moderately — say, what equals in expense 8 quarts of 

 corn meal for each per day— being | bushel corn per day 



for 274 days, making 137 bushels at 4s. per bushel, 68 50 



Add hay, grass and attendance 8s. per week, * 39 00 



For the last year, I fed them in the best manner-^say 

 corn, oats and barley meal, about 12 quarts each per day, 

 and some pumpkins, potatoes, and carrots, equalling in 

 expense one bushel corn per day — being 365 bushels, at 4s. 



perbushel, 182 50 



Hay and attendance 8s. per week, -•- — » -»-- 52 00 



$467 00 



This at a liberal estimate, was the cost of the cattle when sold 

 I sold them in November, 1847, for $550 paid down, and a promise 

 from the purchaser, Mr. Calkins, of $100 m.ore, if the cattle turned 

 out well—- which promise he has since agreed to make good. 



I annex a copy of a certificate given by over one hundred butchers 

 and cattle dealers, and the purchaser, who saw the catttle in New* 

 York, and certify as to their fine qualities. 



Very respectfully yours, 



ALLEN AYRAULT. 



