FOOD FROM FIELD ROOTS AND TUBERS 325 



to 20 tons an acre, the average under American conditions 

 being about 15 tons, but far higher yields are easily attain- 

 able. The yields are usually higher than those of sugar 

 beets and the labor of growing them is much less. Mangels, 

 when grown, are easily injured by frost, even before they 

 are harvested. The longer that mangels can be kept, the 

 more they improve for feeding. This at least is true of them 

 for several months subsequent to maturity, and it results 

 from chemical changes which take place in the roots. If feel 

 in large quantities for some weeks subsequently to maturity, 

 they tend to produce scouring. The highest use of mangels 

 when fed to stock, is to promote growth in young animals 

 and to stimulate milk production. As with all classes of field 

 roots, mangels have a higher feeding value than chemistry 

 assigns to them, especially when fed in small quantities. 

 More commonly they are sliced or pulped before being fed, 

 except when feeding them to swine. 



For cattle of all classes, when on dry food, mangels are 

 excellent and more especially when much of the food fed is 

 carbonaceous, as in the case of corn. A few pounds fed daily 

 to calves before and subsequently to weaning, and to grow- 

 ing cattle in winter, will tend to promote increase in frame 

 and muscle in a marked degree. Usually not more than 20 

 to 30 pounds per day are fed to cows giving milk, but larger 

 amounts may be fed without harm. They do not taint the 

 milk, hence they are preferred to rutabagas and turnips for 

 milch cows. The quantities named will also be suitable for 

 animals that are being fattened under ordinary conditions in 

 America, although as much as 100 pounds daily per animal 

 is sometimes fed to cattle that are being fattened in Great 

 Britain. 



For sheep, mangels are nearly or quite as valuable 

 relatively as in feeding cattle. Finely sliced, they are much 

 relished by lambs. Two to four pounds a day fed to breed- 

 ing ewes previous to lambing and larger amounts subse- 

 quently, prove very helpful to them. As much as 20 pounds 

 per day is in some instances fed to large sheep that are be- 



