98  The  Cost  of  Winter  Grazing  in  East  Norfolk, 
bullock  for  tending.  The  evidence  of  all  the  returns  made 
to  me — that  is  over  eighty — proves  that  directly  the  daily  cost 
of  grazing  exceeds  or  the  beast  is  kept  for  more  than 
sixteen  weeks,  the  question  of  profit  becomes  very  uncertain. 
A rapid  turnover  in  capital  is  a point  to  be  observed  in  every 
business,  but  it  seems,  according  to  these  returns,  to  be  greatly 
neglected  by  local  graziers. 
To  show  the  extent  of  the  business  referred  to  in  the  forty 
tabulated  returns,  I may  say  that  they  include  particulars 
relating  to  the  grazing  of  some  4,060  bullocks,  which  cost 
52,983Z.  to  buy  in,  and  over  28,623Z.  to  fatten.  They  meantime 
consumed  more  than  35,000  tons  of  mangold  and  swedes, 
which,  at  5s.  per  ton,  may  be  reckoned  at  nearly  9,000Z. 
They  also  consumed  some  2,058  tons  of  artificial  food,  which,  at 
6Z.  10s.  per  ton  on  the  average,  would  have  cost  13,375Z.  1,547 
tons  of  hay,  cut  hay,  and  straw  chaff,  being  used  as  food,  this, 
at  21.  only  per  ton,  comes  to  over  3,090Z.,  and  labour  would 
cause  the  local  expenditure  of  another  2,130Z.  It  will  be  seen 
from  these  figures  that  the  expenditure  on  artificial  food 
exceeds  the  value  of  the  roots  consumed. 
There  is,  as  I have  said  above,  a general  consensus  of 
opinion  as  to  the  advantages  of  separate  boxes  over  tying  up, 
or  over  open  yards.  Each  beast  in  a loose  box  gets  its  fair  and 
uninterrupted  share  of  food,  and  it  is  easier  for  the  attendant 
to  see  when  a bullock  is  at  all  ailing  or  is  off  its  feed.  Bullocks 
undoubtedly  “ get  their  coats  ” quicker  under  cover,  and  the 
same  quantity  of  food  goes  further  than  when  fed  to  them  in 
an  open  yard  surrounded  by  shelters,  there  not  being  so.  much 
food  wasted  in  keeping  up  internal  heat.  At  the  same  time 
proper  ventilation  is  necessary  in  enclosed  premises  to  prevent 
sweating.  I have  seen  bullocks  that  had  clipping  irons  run 
down  once  on  either  side  of  the  spine  to  obviate  this. 
As  this  paper  will  probably  reach  some  of  those  who,  at  so 
much  trouble  to  themselves,  have  kindly  assisted  me  with 
information,  without  which  I should  have  been  unable  to 
compile  it,  I wish  in  conclusion  to  express  to  them  my  grate- 
ful thanks. 
Maurice  C.  H.  Bird. 
Brunstead  Rectory, 
Stalham. 
