628 Abstract Report of Agricultural Discussions. 
mising the consumption of the root crop one-half, consume in a 
given time 5140 lbs. of dry matter, against 6048 lbs. when feeding 
solely on turnips. Surely this difference will be partly compensated 
by the healthier condition of the sheep, and by the lesser amount of 
fuel required to maintain the heat of the body when less cold water is 
taken into the system. Scouring, which in bad weather is common to 
ewes eating only tm-nips, is rarely seen where straw is consumed. I 
am satisfied that on the Cotswold Hills breeding sheep may be kept 
up to or near lambing time in a healthy, thriving state, by the use of 
straw. The addition of a very small quantity of artificial food would 
doubtless prove a good investment, both as regards the land and the 
animal, enriching the manure to some extent, but acting principally 
as a stimulus to the digestive powers of the animal. The cost per 
head would be very small. Thus, 100 sheep would take 33 days to 
eat off 15 tons of tm-nips, as proposed, and if supplied with. ^ lb. a- 
day of artificial food, would eat 825 lbs. The food would cost pro- 
bably about 81. a ton, and might be thus composed — ■ 
£. s. d. 
g of rapecake or nutmeal, at 7 0 0 per ton. 
3 of beans, peas, or lentils, at .. .. .. .. 8 10 0 „ 
3 of Indian corn, at . . 7 0 0 „ 
3)22 10 0 
Cost per ton ^ ... 7 10 0 
To which might be added — 
Fenugreek .. .. 9 lbs. 
Aniseed G lbs. 
15 lbs. at 8d. per lb. .. 0 10 0 
Cost of compound .. .. 8 0 0 per ton. 
Nutmeal is a comparatively new feeding article, which is valuable 
chiefly on accoimt of the large proportion of oil it contains, which 
varies from 16 to 25 per cent. It is the meal produced from the 
manufacture of oil from the palm -nut-kernel, and is principally sold by 
A. Smith and Co., Liverpool. The present price is 6Z. a ton. Beans, 
peas, or lentils, all closely analogous in composition, contain 24 to 26 
per cent, of nitrogenous compounds, and hence are very suitable^ for 
growing stock when given in small quantities ; and crushed Indian 
corn contains much fattening matter, so that a meal composed of these 
ingredients is both cheap and nom'ishing. The addition of the com- 
paratively small proportion of fenugreek and aniseed gives a flavoirr 
to the whole, and acts as a tonic to the digestive system. The cost 
per acre of the artificial food is 21. 19s., of which outlay a considerable 
portion is repaid in the manure. The total quantity of artificial food 
consumed by 100 sheep during six months amounted to 2 tons 2 qrs. 
14 lbs., or 3s. 3d. per head. Of this, one-third will be returned in tho 
increase of wool, especially in long-woolled sheep, one-third left as 
manure, and one-third will be paid for in the improved condition of 
tho ewes and lambs. Two years since, wishing to economise tho roots. 
