410 On llik Ctdiiualion oj l/ic Par^'Uip, 



deeper parts of the soil, it is evi<lent that it is particulniiy caf- 

 culaled to succeed the generality of {ihrous-iootcd vcget;il)lea. 

 If sown, therefore, after a hay or barley crop, it sekloiri iiec<Ls any 

 n-ianure, aiifl yields a very good produce without it. In Eng- 

 land, where niamire is recjuircd, farm-yard dung is preferred, 

 and it is turned into the soil by a light plough, inunediately be- 

 fore sowing the seed. But in Gucrnsev, sea-weed is universally 

 adopted when it can be obtained — a species of manure in which 

 many districts of the Highlands abound, although its use is l)y 

 no means so extensive as it deserves to be. The recent and ap- 

 parently steady diminution in llie price of kelp now going on, 

 will doubtless introduce liiis vahi;iblc manure into much greater 

 use in the Highlands, than has hitherto been the case. 



The parsnip is considered by the Guernsey farmers to be the 

 most nutritions root known, superior even to the carrot and the 

 potatoe. When small, it is given to the animals whole ; but 

 when large, it is sliced lo)igitudinaI!y. As uo farmer in-Cinern- 

 sey feeds his horses or cattle on parsnips alone, it is not possible 

 to determine its exact value from t'leir practice, with the ac- 

 cmacy which the more scientific agriculiurists of this country 

 would desire. The art has not vet attained in that island the 

 same precision, nor been subjected to the same laws of rigid cal- 

 culation, which it has undergone in Britain. But a tolerable 

 conclusion may be drawii of the efficiency of this root, even from 

 the examination of the testimony of Guernsey farmers. 



Cows fed with parsnips are said not to yield so great a quan- 

 tity of n)ilk as when fed with turnips: but the milk is richer, 

 and the butter is better, as well as in far greater ))roportionj and 

 both are also free from the disagioeable flavour which they ac- 

 quire from turnips; a circumstance highly deserving the atteii- 

 tion of those duiry farn)ers who supply the population of great 

 towns with these indispensable articles of consumption. They 

 are in fact ccjual to those which arc produced by fi'cdiug in the 

 best pastures. These animals, when intended ior the butcher, 

 are observed to fatten faster and better on parsnips than on aisy 

 other food. The only precaution used, is to interpose h.ay, to 

 prevent them from being surfeited with the root. It is aKo 

 found necessary to begin with a smaller projiortion, as they are 

 apt to be satiated with this food in the first week, if given to ex- 

 cess. After that period, it is remarked tisat it may be used in 

 any quantity. 



The farmers are of opinion that cabbages are the best sub- 

 i^tance to interpose for this purpose, although turnips or hay may 

 also be given with the })ar.snip. 'I'he allowance for fattening an 

 ox who will weigh 1 100 lbs. is 120 lbs. per day, exclusive of hay. 

 As far as any experiments have been made in England, the re- 

 sults 



