182 WHAT I KNOW OF FARMING. 



and a still larger product of Beets ; and the Carrot, 

 in my judgment, ought now to be extensively grown 

 in the South and West, as well as in this section, for 

 feeding to horses. I hold that 60 bushels of Carrots 

 and 50 of Oats, fed in alternate meals, are of at least 

 equal value as horse-feed with 100 bushels of Oats 

 alone, while more easily grown in this climate. The 

 Oat-crop makes heavy drafts upon the soil, while 

 our hot Summers are not congenial to its thrift or 

 perfection. Since we must grow Oats, we must be 

 content to import new seed every 10 or 15 years from 

 Scotland, Norway, and other countries which have 

 cooler, moister Summers than our own ; for the Oat 

 will inevitably degenerate under such suns as blazed 

 through the latter half of our recent June. Believ- 

 ing that the Carrot may profitably replace at least 

 half the Oats now grown in this country, I look for- 

 ward with confidence to its more and more extensive 

 cultivation. 



The advantage of feeding Roots to stock is not to 

 be measured and bounded by their essential value. 

 Beasts, like men, require a variety of food, and thrive 

 best upon a regimen which involves a change of diet. 

 Admit that Hay is their cheapest Winter food ; still, 

 an occasional meal of something more succulent will 

 prove beneficial, and this is best afforded by Roots. 



