478 Abstract Report of Agricultural Discussions. 
the locality. But, taking an average, and of course excluding 
machinery and farmhouse, he should say that 1700/. would be a fair 
estimate. 
Mr. Blackburn said that the accommodation provided for 50 
head of cattle (or even for 100, if tied up in pairs), although satis- 
factory in 1850, hardly met the requirements of the present day. 
A proper value was not then set upon straw, which is worth 
something more than to be trodden under foot. Very few farmers 
would now like to bestow 20 lbs. of straw per day in litter, Avhen 
stall-fed cattle could be kept in good condition on 12 or 14 lbs. a 
day, and with boards 5 lbs. a day was sufficient. 
Mr. Blundell : The use of boards was more a question of manure 
than of feeding. 
jMr. Blackburn : These boards, with a proper quantity of straw 
upon them, formed an admirable bed. They were non-conductors 
of heat, and a bed that was always dry. He considered that it 
must be prejudicial to the health of animals for them to lie on a 
collection of manure. It reminded him of the cesspool system. 
' Mr. Elliot preferred a bed of earth, as suggested by Mr. Blundell, 
to a floor of laths. The earth might be obtained from any part of 
the farm, and any one who observed the superior quality of the 
manure which came from the boxes must be satisfied that an 
abundant return was made to the land for the earth so taken and 
applied. 
Mr. Blundell said he lived in a district where the soil was loamy, 
and he took the earth from about the hedges and ditches. It was 
gathered in heaps, left to stand about 12 months, and then put into 
the boxes. 
A Member : Once or twice that might do ; but it would take a 
great deal more than could be spared from the land to use it conslantly. 
Mr. Blundell objected to boarded floors, as unnatural and incom- 
patible ; besides, there was an exhalation from the pits that was 
most objectionable. 
Fatting Bullocks on Arable Farms. 
Mr. Blundell said, altho\igh this subject had been discussed at 
various times at the different farmers' clubs and other meetings, 
yet up to the present time there seemed to exist an under current 
of feeling, inducing the belief that fattening bullocks with corn and 
cake would not answer the purpose, were it not for the object of 
turning the straw pjroduce of arable farms into good manure. This 
question presents two aspects — viz., the economy of feeding the 
animals, and the economy of making the manure. In connection 
with the former, the points which should engage attention are : — 
1. The sort or breed of the animals. 2. The best ago to begin 
fattening. 3. The condition at the commencement of fattening. 
4. The preparatory or probationary state of the animals. 5. The 
kind of food. G. The quantity of food. 7. Tlie time of feeding, 
and state of the food. And 8. The accommodation most likely to 
insiire the health and well-doing of the animals. Under the latter 
division, the points for consideration are — the value of the manure 
