153 



•work. At the beginning of the experiment, eight -were in good 

 health, two in indiflferent he^alth. At the end of the time, all were in 

 good health, and had gained, on an average, more than four pounds, 

 only one man having lost. The greatest gain was nine pounds four 

 ounces. The one who lost was reduced five pounds two ounces. 



xVnothcr set received the same fare, excepting that the potatoes 

 were baked. They were found far less nutritious than the boiled. 

 The prisoners lost, on an average, one and a half pounds' weight. 

 The subsequent addition of a quarter of a pound of meat did not add 

 to their weight. 



In the second experiment, ten prisoners were fed thus : breakfast, 

 two pounds of potatoes, boiled ; dinner, three pounds ; supper, one 

 pound per man. At the end of two months, the health of all was 

 good ; there was an average gain in weight of nearly three and a 

 half pounds ; the greatest gain, eight and a. quarter pounds ; only 

 two lost a trifling quantity. The prisoners all expressed their satis- 

 faction with this fare, and regretted the change back to the ordinary 

 diet. 



It should be remembered that these experiments were made upon 

 persons confined only to light labor. Probably potatoes would not 

 furnish sufficient strength for long continued hard work in the 

 open air. 



Almost all domestic animals are fond of potatoes, and, in moderate 

 proportions, they are W"holesome, if not very nutritive, to cattle and 

 hogs. Almost every farmer has his peculiar ideas upon this point, 

 gained by his experience. Some of great experience do not think 

 them profitable, if the expense of boiling and mashing with meal be 

 taken into account ; yet they admit that they are valuable as an 

 alterative. Loudon, good authority in England, does not think they 

 are as profitable a crop for stock as ruta-baga, carrots, or turnips ; 

 but opinions differ widely on this point. Low,* Professor of Agri- 

 culture at Edinburgh, says that " when boiled, they afford food in 

 a high degree nourishing and salubrious." They may bo given to 

 dairy cows, or to any kind of cattle, for the purpose of fattening ; 

 but it is observed that boiled food is not generally attended with the 

 same benefit to ruminatinsi; as to other animals. To ho^s it is given 



* Elements of Practical Agriculture, p. 425. 



