Experiments on the Feeding of Stock. 
439 
wheat at different stages of growth and in different states of dry- 
ness, with special reference to their feeding value, and to the 
question whether sales should be effected by weight or by 
measure. 
The specific gravity of a grain of wheat is determined by 
comparing it with the same bulk of water ; if this expression 
can be applied at all to the bushel it then refers to an ima- 
ginary quantity — the weight which would result if the grains had 
no spaces between them. The amount of these spaces evidently 
depends upon the form of the grains ; so that a long, thin, dry 
wheat, of greater specific gravity, may weigh less per bushel than 
a plump, round sample, of less density in itself. Careful mea- 
surement of 20 kinds of wheat from different countries showed 
that the specific gravity or density of wheat varies from 1290 to 
1407 ; that is to say, a measure which, when filled with water, 
weighs 1000 grammes, would weigh from 1290 to 1407 grammes 
if it could be so filled with wheat that no intervals were left between 
the grains ; whilst, if the measure beactually filled as corn is usually 
measured for sale, the weight will vary from 739 to 816 grammes 
(equivalent to 58J and 65tV lbs. per bushel).* A' practical rule 
for measuring corn is given as follows : — Pour the grain from a 
shovel held 4 inches above the measure, fairly into its centre, 
without shaking it, and strike the surface once. For these expe- 
riments, however, a small apparatus made by M. Busche was 
employed, in which the feeding-pipe can be very exactly regu- 
lated.t 
Of these varieties, that which had the greatest specific gravity 
or density (1407) was a very hard' Polish wheat, Avhich only 
weighed 59^ lbs. per bushel, whilst a white Russian variety, 
grown in France, weighing 65 lbs. pet bushel, had the density 
1378, and the Albert (grown from English seed, and weighing 
63|- lbs. per bushel) density 1358. The actual weight of the 
bushel of wheat does not therefore tally with its specific gravity. 
These trials were, followed b}' researches into the amount of 
water found in wheat under different circumstances, and the 
effects of its absorption and evaporation on the weight and bulk 
of the grain. The most remarkable points of practical interest 
brought to light by these inquiries are : 1st, that each variety of 
wheat naturally contains a certain quantity of moisture, and if 
either wetted or dried, promptly takes occasion to return to its 
* The results of such experiments can be far more neatly expressed in modem 
French measii,res adapted to the decimal scale than by our English standards, 
■which our scientific writers appear to be abandoning even in English treatises. 
t It had been previously ascertained, that by shaking the measure it may be 
made to hold as much as from one-thirteenth to one-teuth more than its usual 
contents. 
