370 
On the Breeding, Feeding, S^-c. of Sheep. 
carrots, with some swedes daily and clover chaff. At the expi- 
ration of the trial I found that those kept on 
Swedes and chaff gained each on White carrots and swedes and 
an average 19ilbs. chaflt" gained each 15.'j lbs. 
Being an increase of 4 lbs. each lamb in favour of using all swedes. 
Having proved, by repeated experiments, and quite to my satis- 
faction, the inutility of using carrots for feeding sheep, I have 
discontinued growing them ; they are an expensive root to grow, 
and must injure the soil for some time afterwards if it is not well 
adapted for their growth. 
Experiment, No. 9. 
Between cabbages and swedes. In the jear 1836 I drew two 
lo's of lambs, 8 in number for each lot ; they were weighed ; and 
one lot was put upon cabbages with some clover chaff only; the 
other was fed with cut swedes and chaff only. After they had 
been kept in this manner a month, they were weighed again, and 
the result was found to be as follows : — 
8 lambs fed with swedes and chaff 
gained each 8j lbs. 
The increase of weight being in favour of the cabbages 2j lbs. each 
lamb per month. 
Being aware that it was the custom with some sheep-breeders 
to wash the food — such as turnips, carrots, and other roots — for 
their sheep, I was induced also to try the system ; and, as I usually 
act cautiously in adopting any new scheme, generally bringing it 
down to the true standard of experience, I selected for the trial 
two lots of lambs — one lot was fed in the usual manner on carrots 
and swedes unwashed ; the other lot was fed exactly on the same 
kinds of food, but the carrots and swedes were wasJied very clean 
every day : they Vi cre weighed before trial on the 2nd of Decem- 
ber, 1835, and again on the 30th of December. 
Experimeyit, No. 10. 
8 lambs on cabbages and clover 
chafl' gained each 11 lbs. 
Lambs fed with food unwashed, 
gained each 1J lbs. 
Lambs fed with food washed clean, 
gained each in same time 4| lbs. 
Which shows that those lambs which were fed in the usual way, 
without having their food washed, gained the most weight in a 
month by 2| lbs. each lamb. There appears to me to be no ad- 
vantage in this method of management : indeed, animals are fond 
of licking the earth, particularly if fresh turned up ; and a little 
of it taken into the stomach with the food must be conducive to 
their health, or nature would not lead thoin to take it. 
Much having l)ecn said and written by high authorities upon 
the decided advantage to be derived from folding or feeding shecj) 
in the yard during the winter months, I was consequently induced 
