110 
The Practical Value of BaiKj 
weight — viz. to take off oue third of the living weight. The 
greatest amount of increase of any animal in the 1885 Show 
was No. 80, which made a return of about 13 lbs. per week, 
according to the rale of calculation. The smallest rate of 
increase is only 5 lbs. per week — a wide difference. The relative 
cost of feeding must, however, in all cases decide where the 
greatest profit or smallest loss may be. 
In the tabular statement on page 109 it will be observed as 
a coincidence that the average weights over three years are so 
much alike. 
Most cattle-feeders know that early maturity should be 
aimed at, with a view to profit. These tables show most 
distinctly how much greater the increase is per week under two 
years than at any greater age. 
!b5. 
The differeut classes vnider two years showed in 1885 an average gain of 10^ 
» „ tliiee „ „ „ 8^ 
» four ,y » 7f 
Year after year the result is pretty much the same. If 
there are any doubts whether fattening cattle on dear food is a 
paying concern at any age, there need be no doubt whatever 
that it is a costly piece of business to keep a beast of only 
100 stones for two years afterwai'ds. Not only does the animal 
make less return per week, but even consumes more food. 
Some years ago Sir J. B. Lawes carried out an experiment 
at Woburn Park Farm on fattening oxen. The number under 
trial was 44, and the experiment was continued for 53 days. 
Everything connected with it was carried out with the greatest 
care and skill. Detailed accounts are given, with very minute 
particulars. All I now aim at is to give an abstract of the kind 
and quantities of food consumed, litter used, &c., and then work 
out the cost according to my own plan. Sir John Lawes says 
nothing whatever about the profit or loss. To get at anything 
like a standard for cost, the market prices of eveiything in 
connection with the experiment must be given, besides a charge 
made for attendance and interest on capital invested. 
Food, &c., used in tiik Experiment. 
\hi. £ -1. d. 
] '1 ,804 linsoed-cako, and llnseed-meal compound, at Irf. per lb. Gl 13 8 
.'50,097 clover cut into cliafF, at-4s. per cwt 64 8 0 
124,115 Swedish turnips, at Gd. per cwt. . . . , . 27 14 0 
44,566 litter, at 2s. per cwt 30 16 0 
190,853 dung— 44 oxen = 333 weeks of 1 beast, attendance, 
interest, &c., at Is. . . . . . , 16 13 0 
Total Cost . . , 210 4 8 
