490 
The Seed and its Germination. 
thus adding largely to the cost. Eightpence per ton would be 
a moderate estimate of the difference between the two, and this 
on 8 tons shows a balance of 5s. 4c?. per head in favour of beasts 
kept in Covered Yards for the winter. 
Saving of Litter. — Not more than half the quantity of straw 
is required for litter in a Covered Yard than is necessary in an 
open one, and a reduction of 1^ ton per head of ordinary-sized 
cattle may fairly be calculated on. This saving may be turned . 
to account as food, thus enabling a larger number of cattle to be 
kept. This is no slight matter in these days, when live-stock 
•are, and, for many years to come, are likely to remain, the main- 
stay and sheet-anchor of British Agriculture. 
The savings and gains accruing from the use of Covered 
Cattle Yards may be tabulated thus : — 
£ j. d. 
Economy of food, superior health, and well- 
doing of stock, estimated per head . .12 6 
Superiority of manure, estimated per head . 0 14 0 
Economy in application of same, estimated per 
head 0 5 4 
Saving of litter (straw) to he used as food, 
1A ton per head (at consuming value) . . 1 10 0 
£3 11 10 
I have, I believe, fairly estimated the cost of providing 
Covered Yards at the prices current of labour and materials, 
and hope I have not exaggerated the statement of benefits to 
be derived from their use. 
At the present time, perhaps few ways are open to a land- 
owner in which he can so readily and greatly assist his tenants, 
whilst indirectly benefiting himself, as by the equipment of his 
estate with covered yards. On many estates this has been done, 
and my parting word to the owners of those where it has not is 
— lose no time in effecting a work that ranks so high in the list 
of farm economy, which, judiciously carried out, will, prove a 
lasting benefit to the tenants, tend to an enhanced value of 
property, and thus become a sound investment of capital. 
W. J. Moscrof. 
THE SEED AND ITS GERMINATION. 
Perhaps no process in the life history of a plant is invested 
with more interest than its reproduction, and of all its members 
none is more singular than the seed — the structure which is 
