Annual Chemical Report. 339 
1.9. 3(f, to Is. Gd. a buslicl ; a bushel ■weighing about ^ cwt. 
The proportion of flesh -forming or nitrogenous matters in 
them is very small, whilst that of starch and analogous fat- 
producing compounds, is large. Acorn kernels contain but a 
small quantity of indigestible woody fibre, and are excellent 
fattening food for sheep. 
Their composition affords another proof of the fact that the 
economic value of food is much more dependent on the amount 
of available non-nitrogenous than on that of nitrogenous com- 
pounds contained theicin. 
Beef Powder. 
A sample of dried and powdered beef, prepared in Queensland 
and sent to England in an ordinary flour-barrel, on analysis 
yielded : — 
Moisairo 7-48 
*Xitvo;2;enons (flesh-forming) matters .. .. G7'o6 
Fat, extractive matters, &c 21'55 
Mineral matters (ash) 3'il 
100-00 
* Containing nitrogen 10 "80 
Composition of Feeding-meal sold in the neiglibourJiood of Reading 
at prices varying from 5/. to 61. a ton. 
A sample of such feeding meal on analysis was found to con- 
sist of; — 
Moisture 3'77 
Oil 119 
*Albuminous compounds (flesh-iorminc! matters) 1'62 
Woody fibre (cellulose) " .. .. 40-86 
Oxides of iron and alumina 1-23 
Carbonate of lime and a little magnesia, with) A^.gg 
traces of alkaline salts j ^ 
Silica G-40 
100-00 
* Containing nitrogen -20 
A glance at the preceding results shows that this meal, which 
had the appearance of rice-meal, consists almost entirely of rice- 
husks ground fine, and chalk ; the latter taking the place of the 
starch of good rice-meal. 
It is scarcely necessar}' for me to say that such a mixture is 
worse than useless when given to animals in any quantity. 
Composition of Feeding-meal recommended as Pig's Food. 
Rice-meal when of good quality, in conjunction with other 
food, may be given with advantage to pigs ; but rice-refuse meal 
