83G Annual Report fur 1891 of tliti Consuliiny Chemist, 
the reason that fewer members have thought it necessary to have a 
confirmatory analysis made. It is also a matter of considerable 
satisfaction that some firms have not hesitated to openly avow 
their readiness to sell cakes according to the Society's form of 
guarantee. 
On the other hand, where cakes have been purchased under the 
vague description of "oil-cake," it has been generally found that 
these have gone from bad to worse, and have become more than 
ever the media for conveying into stock the refuse sweepings and 
dirt of the mills. 
It cannot be said that any fresh special adulterant has been 
brought to light this year, but mention may be made of an instance 
where linseed-cake was found to have been adulterated with Bassia 
(/iassia JatifoJia) seed, the husk of which has an intensely acrid and 
bitter taste. This taste it imparts to the cake with which it is mixed, 
and renders it a veiy undesirable one to use for feeding purposes. Also 
it is well to mention, by way of caution, that more than one case 
has been brought to my notice in which decorticated cotton-seed meal 
has been found to contain the husk of castor-oil beans. In one 
instance a number of animals had been killed by the use of this 
meal, while many others were made very ill, though they finally 
recovered. Besides containing the castor-oil husk referred to, the 
meal was stale and distinctly acid. 
Feeding Stuffs. 
Linseed-cakes. — Until the month of October tlie price of linseed- 
cake continued fairly regular — viz. from 7/. 1 per ton to 8/. 10s. 
for good-quality cake. In October, however, prices took a sudden 
rise, consequent, partly on the low returns obtained for oil, and, more 
immediately, on the prohibition of the export of linseed from 
Russia. From 8/. 10s. per ton the cost rose to 9/. 10s., 9/. 1.5s., and 
even 10/. per ton. As cotton-cake, both undecorticated and decorti- 
cated, had also risen .simultaneously — the latter, indeed, being liardly 
obtainable — little relief for feeders of stock could be gained by the 
substitution of cotton for linseed cake. 
Occasionally an exceptionally hard-pressed and low-quality 
linseed cake has been sent to me. Of such a one I give an analysis (A) 
in the following Table, placing in comparison with it those of two 
high-quality cakes. 
Jloisture .... 
Oil 
' Albuminous compounds 
Dig-pstible fibre, mucilage, &c. 
M'oody fibie .... 
Minend matter (ash) 
' Con'a'ning nitrogen 
A 
B 
C 
8'55 
14 30 
11-38 
57-{ 
15-30 
20-96 
35-50 
2o-50 
33- 19 
37-10 
30 64 
24-13 
7-87 
7-9G 
6-30 
6-25 
6-30 
404 
100-00 
100-00 
100-00 
C-C8 
4-08 
C-31 
