Further Experiments on the Economic Value of Root Crops 559 



THE CULTURE OF ROOT CROPS 



There are many farms where a few bushels or tons of roots should be 

 grown every year. Silage is not a safe feed for all farm animals under 

 all circumstances. Some kinds of roots are to be preferred for horses, 

 sheep, and poultry. 



Breeders of pure-bred 

 cattle who are mak- 

 ing advanced registry 

 tests can make good 

 use of such roots. 

 Where labor is 

 abundant and con- 

 centrated feed high, 

 mangels, and possibly 

 carrots, should be 

 grown, to replace part 

 of the grain ration for 

 milch cows. If it is 

 impracticable to have 

 a silo on the dairy 

 farm, then roots are 

 needed as a succulent feed. In the higher altitudes and the northern 

 counties of the State, root crops will thrive where corn growing may be 

 impracticable. For those farmers who desire to cultivate root crops, the 

 following suggestions are offered: 



Fig. 153. — Sonic useful tools for the culture of root crops 



MANGELS 



The soil. — Mangels should be rotated with other farm crops in order 

 to avoid serious attacks of fungous diseases on their leaves. This vege- 

 table will grow on a variety of soils. A clay loam, silt loam, or sandy 

 loam is to be preferred to a gravelly soil because of the way in which 

 small stones interfere with early cultivation. A soil which is deep and 

 mellow without being very porous, and which is free from trash, might be 

 considered ideal for the purpose. In general, soils that are adapted to com 

 growing can be made to produce mangels, although a finer seed bed is 

 needed for mangels than for corn. Deep autumn plowing followed by 

 somewhat shallower spring plowing should be practiced on soils of a tena- 

 cious character ; a mellower seed bed results from this kind of preparation. 



Fertilizing. — Fresh stable manure, if used, should be applied to the 

 land during the previous season. Decayed manure may be applied before 

 the spring plowing, with good results; fresh manure applied just before 



