i crops. 519 



They may be theu forked out and ''topped" (th< leaves removed just above 

 crown) with large beel knives (a sharp dim knife answers the purpose). 

 This operation is usually done by contract, when the crop is grown on a large 

 - ale; grown for feeding purposes the plants may be topped in the rows with a 

 sharp hoe and dug later, as required. 



Storing. 

 The tops of both mangolds and hoots form splendid cattle feed, and in 

 America arc often converted into ensilage. The root- may be stored by 

 stacking in heaps about 2 ft. high on a bed of straw, under shelter, with 

 plenty of ventilation, while they may also be covered with straw and earth. 

 as is done in the case of potatoes. In a warm climate storing cannot be 

 carried out through the summer, owing to a high temperature favouring the 

 development of the agencies which cause decay. Roots to be stored should 

 bo handled carefully to avoid bruising, which provides entrance for fungus 

 spores, causing decomposition. 



Feeding Value. 



Mangolds and beet contain a very large proportion of water (more than 

 any other root crop), and the average of a large number of analyses in 

 connection with trials of mangolds at various experiment farms shows the 

 moisture content to he 92 01 per cent. Although they are a very bulky crop, 

 containing a very small proportion of actual nutriment, a comparison of the 

 total feeding value of the yield of an acre, with that of a crop of maize or 

 oats cut as green fodder, shows the mangolds to a very slight advantage. 

 Allowance must also be made for digestibility and palatability, particularly 

 in relation to dairy cattle. 



Summary. 



The advantages and disadvantages of these crops may be summarised as 

 follows: — 



Advantages. — (1) The crops form a useful supplement to a ration for 

 cattle, pigs, or stud sheep. 



(2) They stimulate the milk yield of dairy cattle. 



(.3) Their cultivation may be very profitably combined with the operations 

 of a mixed farm. 



(4) The thorough tillage necessary for the successful growing of these 

 crops results in a splendid soil condition for tihe following cereal crop. 



(5) The practice of feeding the roots on the farm means that soil fertility 

 is maintained to a greater extent than where crops are sold off the farm. 



(6) They may be easily stored and utilised in the early spring when 

 Bucculent feed is scarce. 



Disadvantages. — (1) The crop entails a great deal of labour, which means 

 that it is preferable to sow a small area and give it proper attention, rather 

 than to neglect a big area by reason of labour shortage. The estimated cost of 

 production of a crop at Grafton Experiment Farm, which yielded 25 tons 

 per acre, in 1920, was £8 per acre. 



(2) On account of their bulk, compared witb their actual food content, 

 the roots take much handling, and for this reason should not be fed unless 

 supplemented by more concentrated foods, or a falling-off in condition will 

 result. 



(3) They are a soil-exhansting crop, and should not be grown on the same 

 land more than twice in succession. 



