222 
On the Feeding of Stock. 
The cake eaten by the young stock in 1855-56 varied with the 
season of the year. In winter some rape-cake was used ; in 
summer, linseed. Not to overburden the estimate with details, 
a mean value between the price of linseed at Is. Ad. per stone, 
and rape-cake at llcZ. per stone, has been taken, which, allowing 
for a little waste, may he fairly set at Id. per lb. The turnips 
are valued at 2jfZ. a bushel, allowing, 40 heaped bushels to the 
ton — or at the rate of 8s. 4c?. per ton. 
If we now proceed to criticise this estimate, the first objection 
that may be made to it is that the quantities are estimated partly 
by measure, partly by weight. Our practice has been amended 
of late in this respect, so that, when practicable, all quantities are 
now taken by weight. When this is generally done, and a uni- 
form standard of weights established, we shall generalize more 
easily, if not more safely, than we can do at present. 
1st. As to the estimate of 5Z. 4s. for one year's keep of a calf 
from 3 to 15 months of age, it is not easy to ^ive this calcula- 
tion with more precision. The calves were supplied at first 
with malt-combs, btan, oil-Cake, and meal mixed with cut hay 
without stint. The quantity consumed was always varying and 
steadily increasing. They soon ate 1 lb. of cake a-day, and pro- 
bably for the last six months 2 lbs. per day ; or, at last, if other 
nutritious substances like bran and malt-combs were withdrawn, 
at the rate of 3 lbs. of cake per day.* " 
The valuation only shows a' loss so far of 14s., when the young 
calf has been valued as high as 45s. ; so that thus far I think 
there is not much to-. be dissatisfied with. But when we come 
to the next year 1855-56, the keep allowed was not judicious : 
the half-peck of barley-meal at 2s. 6c?. was a mistake, but the 
prospects of stock-farming were encouraging, and a desire was felt 
to push the young beasts on. The allowance of food that would 
have been substituted for this in 1858-59 would have been pro- 
bably — 
For Yearlings. Per week. 
Per day. 
31bs. ofcake ...19 
2 lbs. malt-combs or bran .. .. 0 8t 
Eoots or stover 0 G 
2 11 or say 3s. Od. 
Instead of 4 9 
The cost of cake, but not that of keep, might be diminished 
in summer when green stover came in. 
* According to an estimate of Mr. R. Bond (at the Discussion of the Central 
Farmers' Club, Dec. 1858), calves, from the second to the eighth month, should be 
charged at the rate of Is. &d. per week ; and from the eighth to the fourteenth 
month at 2s. 
•f Or at the rate of about 5 guineas per ton. 
