142 MARKET GARDENING. 



The principal succulent and saccharine roots, besides 

 the turnip, raised for cattle feeding, are, it is almost 

 unnecessary to observe, mainly comprised by the tribes 

 of beets, carrots and parsnips. There are some others, 

 but they are hardly of sufficient importance to occupy 

 space in limited pages. 



In this country the turnip and the ruta baga, or 

 '* Swede," as it is familiarly called, is more generally cul- 

 tivated for stock-food than any other root— not that it 

 is the best, but because it can be so readily grown, and 

 at small cost. While beets, mangold, carrots, kohl rabbi 

 and parsnip demand an entire season to mature, the 

 turnip is of so quick growth in our climate, that within 

 a few weeks only after sowing abundant supplies may 

 be in hand. 



The writer cannot, however, but maintain that, 

 though at some increase of labor in the production, no 

 expenditure on the farm may, in the long run, pay bet- 

 ter than an annual crop of mangolds and carrots, even if 

 raised only in sufficient quantity to alternate with the 

 ruta baga, and thus the food be varied ; a change which 

 the milch cow, the stall-fed ox and the sheep crave 

 equally with man. At the present tune, when foreign 

 demand for American beef and mutton has assumed 

 gigantic proportions, the subject of stoch feeding pre- 

 sents itself with increased force. 



The subject is one which concerns the Union ; our 

 prosperity cannot advance faster than our progress in 

 agriculture, whether as planters, grain producers, stock- 

 breeders or dairymen. When they prosper all industries 

 participate. The railroads, the mills, the forges, the 

 shipping, find profitable employment, all are subordinate 

 to the farmer's industry. 



The Turnip.— That turnips, singly and alone, 

 will secure health and strength and rich milk, the writer 

 is far from maintaining ; but he does contend that, in 



