420 Comparative Fattening Qualities of Sheep. 



than 2 lbs. ; and amono^ the forty Sussex sheep^ of from httle more 

 than 2^ lbs. to less than lb. Indeed the tenor of all pub- 

 lished results on feeding, seems to show that these fluctuations 

 and variations are the rule and not the exception; and the fact 

 of them, therefore, should lead us to great caution in drawing 

 nice conclusions from experiments made with but a small number 

 of animals, and extending only over a short period of time. We 

 think, however, that the general results of experiments with forty 

 sheep in each lot, and carried on for a period of 26 weeks, cannot 

 be considered as open to serious objection on account of these 

 irregularities. 



With these remarks as to the degree of reliance which Vve 

 believe our results may fairly claim, little further comment is 

 necessary upon these talDles of mere detail: but we would suggest 

 in passing — besides a glance along and across the columns to 

 show the fluctuations alluded to — an inspection of the columns 

 showing the quandties of wool obtained from each sheep of 

 the two breeds respectively, and also, that the reader should 

 carry his eye down the column (No. 12) of each of the tables, 

 showing the average weekly gain of each animal, and also along 

 the bottom lines, wherein are given the average weekly gain per 

 head of the forty sheep during the several — chiefly monthly — 

 periods of the experiment ; he will thus, by an easy view, gather 

 a pretty clear conception of the average rates of gain of the two 

 breeds respectively. 



In the six following tables are given, for the two lots of sheep 

 respectively : — 



In Table III., the total food consumed, and total increase 

 produced, between each weighing. 



In Table IV., the quantities of food consumed to produce 

 100 lbs. increase in live weight. 



In Table V., the food consumed per head weekly. 



In Table VI., i\ie food consumedper 100 Ihs. live weight weekly. 



In Table VII., the average increase in weight per head weekly. 



And in Table VIIL, the average increase in Vjeight per 

 iOO lbs. weekly. 



