Hints on agricultural subjects, and on the best means of improving the condition of the labouring classes / By J.C. Curwen.

  • Curwen, J. C. (John Christian), 1756-1828.
Date:
1809
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hints on agricultural subjects, and on the best means of improving the condition of the labouring classes / By J.C. Curwen. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    benefits which result from the mixture with straw *. In the present season (1807), when the crop has fail- ed, I have begun to mix an equal quantity of cut straw and potatoes: to the horses that are below ground, in the coal-works, and obliged to remain there, 1 am under the necessity of allowing a propor- tion of hay, as well as potatoes: formerly it was 14 lb.; I have now reduced it to 9 lb. of hay, and 5 lb. of straw, and shall very shortly make the quantities equal. Racks are, according to this mode of feeding, as unnecessary as they are productive of waste, for to save trouble, they are always filled ; and what is not eaten is so tainted with the breath of the animal as to be wasted. i • Work horses of size consume little if any thing short of two stone of hay in 24 hours; (working oxen are stated by Mr. A. Young, from an experi- ment made by the late Duke of Bedford,) to eat two stone and a half in the .same period. To this con- sumption must be added the unavoidable waste so long as the practice of feeding from racks continues. I * Doubts have indeed been entertained of the correctness of this statement of the loss sustained by steaming. From recent experiments upon eighty pounds at a time, I have found the best and most farinaceous potatoe rather to gain than lose. I am not enabled from experience to judge of the comparative excellence of roasted and steamed potatoes. Assuming bulk to be as re- quisite as nutrition, the loss in weight must decide the question in favouring of steaming. It would be impracticable to roast two tons per day, which is my daily consumption ; the surface of a square yard containing only four stone eight pounds weight of potatoes. have