REPORTS ON CROPS. 297 



The labor is figured at the rate of ^2.00 per day for man ; 

 for man and horse, fo.OO ; for man and two horses, $4.00. 



Root Culture, by the Secretary. 



In estimating the relative advantages of the culture of roots 

 as food for farm stock, as compared with grain, or forage 

 crops, various considerations should be taken into the account. 



High culture and high manuring always make land 

 better, and as it is only in this way that the cultivation of 

 roots can be properly conducted, the tendency is always to 

 improve the farm where it is practised. Again, though roots 

 demand high manuring, yet being consumed on the farm 

 they greatly increase the value of the manure heap, resforing 

 in a shape most readily available to other plants not only or- 

 ganic matter but also that mineral matter which they have 

 gathered from the soil. 



As food for stock they have a value far above that which 

 their chemical constitution would indicate. Not only is their 

 nutritive material in the best shape to be assimilated by the 

 animal, but they also assist in the digestion and assimilation 

 of the other kinds of food consumed. A more healthy 



