1805.] On Comparative Experiments in Agriculture. 79

Novice, and other, inexperienced. graziers, may often be misled by Some copious tables,&c. which have been published on this Subject.

Though the long agitated question, whether large or Small cattle consume the most.food in proportion to their size? has not been Satisfactorily decided; it is probable, that in both kinds, those breeds are the most profitable which fatten quickly, and produce the most beef in proporition to: their Size or outward dimensions; for besides the advantages:of early maturity, it Scems reasonable to conclude, that those which produce the most Meat in proportion to their Superfices, approach nearer Solidity 3 and consequently, that their Stomachs and other intestines, and the quantity of food consumed, will be Proportionably small.

I am aware, that in opposition to this argument, s5ome will advance the powers of the organs of digestion, and contend, that the quantity of food digested, is not in proportion to the Size of. the stomach and other internal parts,&c.&c- Proofs, however, are wanting; and, in the present state of our know- ledge, we must continue to defend our favourite hypothesis, without the aid of. a Suficient number of facts. If our dis- CusSIONS excite Some greaf breeders, who have Sufficient leisure and ability, to decide our disputes by a Series of very accurate experiments, they will prove highly beneficial to the country,

But though the above important question has not yet been decided, most graziers Seem to agree in this, that while small Sized cattle will fatten completely(within four or.Six months) on inferior pastures, those of a very large Size will.not in the Same time, and on Similar Jands, attain maturity z and as it is often attended with great disadvantages to the'grazier; to be obliged to Sell cattle which are not fat, it is deemed the most ju- dicious practice to stock Such lands with beasts of a middling or Small Size, more especially where turnips cannot be profitably cultivated.

After all, there is 50 much judgment required in cattle markets, which can only be gained by experience; and 50 great 2 difficulty in estimating the increase of weight which cattle of various descriptions will gain within a given time; that, I think, all inexperienced persons would be perfectly. right in pursuing the prudent course your correspondent R. W.(of Norfolk) has recommended to 4 Novice, in the last number of your Ma- gSazine.

Perhaps it may also be necessary to make Some remarks ex- Planatory, of what I stated in your last number, on the Subject of comparative experiments in agriculture.. When I Said, that the quantity of Seed Should be precisely equal in each mode of culture, I alluded to experiments made with a view of discover- ing the most beneßcial rotation of crops, the most fertilizing manures, the best modes of applying them,&c.&c- and not to