ROOTS FOR STOCK FEEDING. 167 



better, than two men with hoes. You are all, doubtless, 

 acquainted with it. " Scuffle-hoes " some call them, on wheels. 



Mr. Huntington. I would like to inquire in regard to the 

 economy of raising roots for stock feeding. I don't know but 

 the farmers in your section raise their roots for market. I 

 would like to know their opinion in regard to the economy of 

 raising them for stock. 



Mr. Ware. We do raise for the market, but we don't neglect 

 our own stock. I have in my cellar now more than thirty tons 

 of roots that I intend to feed out. I have a very small farm, 

 and don't keep a very large stock, although I have quite a stock 

 of horses just now. But we never intend to sell roots to the 

 neglect of our stock. We sell the surplus, but are sure to keep 

 enough to feed our stock through the winter, and feed them lib- 

 erally. It saves a vast amount of hay. Many of us — I myself 

 for one — have to buy our hay, in part, and the raising of roots 

 reduces my hay bill very much indeed, and stock will appear 

 very much better when fed partly with roots. The idea of a 

 peck of carrots being worth as much as a peck of oats is per- 

 fectly absurd. I have heard that idea suggested, especially in 

 parts of the country where carrots are not very much grown. 

 It is better for stock to be fed with carrots, in connection with 

 hay and grain, rather than to be fed entirely with hay and grain. 

 I think a portion of roots for all animals is not only economical, 

 but keeps cattle and horses and all stock in better condition, 

 better health and better heart ; and I would never fail to have 

 an ample supply of carrots and other roots, such as I would 

 most desire to feed out through the winter. 



Professor Chadbourne. What state do you like the tops to 

 be in when you harvest the crop ? 



Mr. Ware. The carrot tops are usually in a green and grow- 

 ing condition ; not, of course, growing so rapidly as they were 

 in October ; but I like to have my carrot crop not so far in 

 advance as to have the tops dead or dying. I like to have them 

 green. And, by the way, there is another point in the matter. 

 I rake off my tops, after they are cut, and feed them out to my 

 stock. Every particle is eaten by the cows and horses, so that 

 the whole crop is saved. The tops would always be green and 

 growing at the time of harvesting if sown at the proper time ; 

 but if sown early the tops would be of no value, and the bot- 



