Varieties of Roots. 



139 



plow through the rows at the last cultivation to increase the pro- 

 portion of the root below ground. Whether this practice will answer 

 or whether it is commendable or not, the authors are not in a position 

 to state. 



Harvesting and storing mangels: 



Mangels should be harvested before severe frosts occur. The 

 withering of the outer leaves is taken as an indication of cessation of 

 growth. This frequently occurs about the middle of October and 

 no time need then be lost before storing. The roots should be pulled 

 up with as little injury as possible and the tops twisted off. Care 

 in handling is requisite as, although mangels are the first roots to be 

 stored, they are the last to be used, and their keeping quality should 

 not be reduced wantonly. In this state a root cellar is perhaps the 

 best place in which to store them. It should be dry and well venti- 

 lated, as the roots suffer if these points are neglected. 



Yield of mangels: 



The average yield of mangels is generally from 16 to 29 tons, al- 

 though during the past three years several varieties have yielded at the 

 rate of 40 tons per acre. The average yield of dry matter per acre in 

 the past three years was between two and four-tenths and three tons 

 per acre. In the case of sugar-beets, yields of 20 tons of beets containing 

 four to four and five-tenths tons of dry matter were secured, while the 

 yields of half-sugar mangels 

 ranged between the yields 

 of mangels and sugar-beets. 



Composition and feeding 

 value: 



The amount of dry matter 

 in the mangels usually va- 

 ries between seven and four- 

 teen per cent., and there is 

 generally as great variation 

 between individuals of a vari- 

 ety as there is between differ- 

 ent varieties. This is true in 

 regard to the weight of indi- 

 viduals, their dry matter and 

 sugar content. During the 



year 1904, on the University ^'La^SSr'rXX^t?' '?i<fTL 

 farm the dry matter content poor type of root. 



