EOOT CROPS. 319 



For instance, rutabaga turnips are now (January, 1869) selling in 

 the New York market for $2.50 per barrel, which is very nearly 

 $1.00 a bushel. These turnips probably yield to their producers, 

 after deducting the cost of transportation, commissions, etc., 75 

 cents a bushel; and, at this price, even the small crops of the 

 unfavorable season of 1868 must have been generally profitable. 

 It is hardly necessary to tell a farmer, however, that, except as a 

 condiment with other food, being fed in very small quantities, 

 roots are worth for feeding nothing like 75 cents a bushel. By 

 reference to tables, showing the theoretical and experimental 

 value of different sorts of food, it will be seen that the amount of 

 roots necessary to be fed, in order to produce the same effect as 

 a given weight of hay, is very large ; and, if we were to take only 

 this table as a basis for our estimate of the value of roots in feed- 

 ing, it would seem questionable whether it would pay to raise 

 them at all, except under the very best circumstances. It is not 

 true, however, that in the feeding of farm stock the importance 

 of roots can be exactly measured by this standard. In addition to 

 their nutritive elements, they have the very great advantage of 

 being a fresh and succulent food, that may be easily kept through- 

 out the whole season, and the effect of which, on the animal 

 organization, is similar to that of salad, celery, and other green 

 vegetables, used on our own tables during the winter season. 

 They keep the system in a more healthy and better lubricated con- 

 dition, and greatly stimulate the growth and thrift of young stock. 

 Where they are largely fed, all animals, both old and young, 

 come out in the spring of the year in much better condition than 

 if kept only on dry food, however rich it may be. The value of 

 roots in their influence on the manure that results from their 

 consumption, is also very great, and should constitute a consider- 

 able element of any estimate of their value. The roots which 

 it is most advantageous to grow for use on the farm are the fol- 

 lowing : — 



Common Turnips, Carrots, 



Rutabaga Turnips, Mangels. 



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