634 Abstract Report of Agricultural Discussioiis. 
cially during the depth of winter, than a very large quantity of 
roots. 
In the very brief sketch which the time allotted enables me to make, 
you will observe that I have not touched upon several matters of 
interest and importance, such as the value of the different breeds of 
sheep — in itself a most comprehensive topic. I will say no more, 
however, than to thank you for the attention with which you have 
listened to my observations. 
Lord Bekneks (the Chairman). — I am sure the meeting will be 
of opinion that most of the suggestions that we have heai'd from 
the Professor are of the highest value and importance. I can 
state that I have for many years carried out what he has recom- 
mended with respect to dry food both for cattle and sheep, and 
have foimd that when I reduced the quantity of turnips given to 
bullocks and sheep, and supplied them with a certain proportion of 
cut straw, they have done a great deal better than they did before. 
An ignorant common labourer will often give his bullocks as much 
turnips as they will eat, whatever be their condition at the time. One 
day, I found in a yard twenty or thirty bullocks tied up and shiver- 
ing dreadfully. I asked the man in attendance what was the cause 
of this ? and he replied, " Oh, yes ; they always be so after eating so 
many turnips." I at once ordered the quantity of turnips to be re- 
duced, and gave the animals dry food, and there was no more shiver- 
•ing afterwards. With regard to cutting hay and straw, I do it entirely 
by steam. I pulp the roots at the same time, and experience the 
greatest advantage from it. 
Mr. Coleman has alluded to the couples depending very much 
on condition ; this I foimd to be the case a great many years ago. 
When residing in Norfolk, I had about a thousand ewes on the 
high lands, and we were short of food ; but, happening to have some 
coleseed on the land which I had brought into cultivation, I sent the 
thousand ewes to feed upon it, and we had not only a greater number 
of lambs than before, but the ewes, as the shepherd said, came quickly 
into use. My lambs acquire the habit of eating artificial food before 
they are weaned, otherwise there is a difficulty in inducing them to 
eat it at the time of weaning. Though the quantity given is ^ but 
small, yet it is a means of keeping them in good condition imtil the 
cold weather comes. In my neighbourhood it is not the practice to 
give lambs artificial food until cold weather arrives, and I have seen 
them at that season half-dead and hardly able to move ; but the 
instant you give them this stimulating food they die off more rapidly 
than before, I think, then, it is of the gi'catest consequence to keep 
all stock going on with such a supply of food as prevents their being 
enfeebled and chilled. 
Mr. Coleman's observations upon the diflcrent kinds of straw ■ 
are also very valuable ; and hero I may mention a fact which 
some of the gentlemen now present may remember. Some of you 
may recollect how successful Mr. Grantham was at the Smithfield 
