Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 August 1877 — Computing Dressed Weight. [ARTICLE]

Computing Dressed Weight.

A few years since the following rule for computing the dressed weight by measurement ot cattle, hogs and sheep, went the rounds of the papers, viz.: “Ascertain the girth in inches back of the shoulders, and the length in Inches from the straight or square j?f the buttock to a point even with the shoulder-blade. Multiply the girth by the length and divide the product by 144 for the superficial feet, and then multiply the superficial teet by one of the following numbers, for animals of different girths, and the product will be the number of pounds of beef, pork or mutton in the four quarters of the animal. “ For cattle of a girth from five to seven feet allow twenty three rounds to the superficial foot; of a girth from seven to nine feet, allow thirty-one pounds; of a girth of three to five feet, allow sixteen pounds. For sheep, hogs, pigs or calves, etc., measuring less than three feet girth, allow eleven pounds to the superflcisl foot.” This, like many < ther items in the papers, was probably read and then forgotten ; but the near approach to accuracy of this rule is such as to entitle it to the especial consideration of persons who are in the habit of selling animals on foot, or of those who purchase in the same way; for bv a measurement of tbe animal ana a calculation by the above rule, a very near approximation to correctness is obtained. We have tested the rule and give results as obtained as an evidence of the correctness of the rule: 1. Measurement of ox: length 4 ft. 11 in.—s 9 in.; girth 6 ft. 10 in.—B3 in.; 82x 59—4838; divided by 144—33.5 superficial feet: 33 5x23—770.5 the computed pounds weight ; the actual weight was 775 pounds. 2. Measurement of steer: length 4 ft.— 48 in.; firirth 5 ft. 2 in—62 in.; 62x48 2976; divided by 144—20.6 superficial feet; 20.6x28—474, the computed pounds weight; the actual weight was 484J£ pounds! 3. Measurement of heifer: length 3 ft. 7 in.—43 in.; girth 5 ft. 8 in.—6s in.; 65x 43—2795; divided by 144—19 4 superficial feet; 19.4x23—446, the computed pounds; the actual weight was 450 pounds. 4. Measurement of cow: length 4 ft. 5 in.—sß in.; giith 4 ft. 8 in.—s 6 in.; 53x 56—2968; divided by 144—20.5; the girth being so near five feet the multiplier 23 was used; 20.5x23—471.5, the computed pounds; Jhe actual weight was 470 pounds. Without giving further measurements we give three other results: Measurement weight of heifer, 404 pounds; actual weight,4o6pounds. Measurement weightof pig, 225 pounds; actual weight, 229 pounds. Another pig, mess ured weight, 205 pounds; actual weight, 198 % pounds. This shows the rule to be worthy the farmer’s use.— Ohio Farmer.