FOOD FROM FIELD ROOTS AND TUBERS 329 



long as the former. The methods of growing the different 

 varieties is substantially the same, although on suitable soils 

 and at proper elevations, they may be grown over wide 

 areas of the United States, the conditions best suited to 

 their growth being on good, sandy loam soils where the tem- 

 peratures in the growing season are moderate to cool, and 

 where the atmosphere is moist. Large areas in Canada are 

 admirably adapted to the growing of both. All kinds of 

 turnips are at their best for feeding when the crop is first 

 harvested, but rutabagas especialy retain their good feed- 

 ing properties for a long period. More commonly these 

 roots are sliced or pulped before feeding them, except, of 

 course, when they are fed off by sheep where they grew. 

 This practice, very common in Great Britain, is quite feas- 

 ible in those portions of the United States where the soil is 

 not heavy, and where frost does not lock the ground early in 

 the season, but more commonly it is necessary both in this 

 country and in Canada to store the crop for future feeding. 

 For cattle of all classes and ages, as a food adjunct 

 both rutabagas and turnips are excellent, except that 

 when fed to cows giving milk, both the milk and butter 

 resulting will possess the odor of the roots unless they are 

 fed with caution. From say 10 pounds downwards, fed 

 daily to calves, according to age, will aid materially in the 

 absence of other green food in maintaining them in good 

 thrift, and in securing satisfactory development of bone and 

 muscle. To young cattle, yarded in winter, and maintained 

 chiefly or wholly on inferior hay or straw, they may be fed 

 with much benefit up to that limit which would make feed- 

 ing them too costly. Along with straw, 10 to 15 pounds a 

 day will insure both thrift and growth in such animals. To 

 cattle that are being fattened, 100 pounds per day is some- 

 times fed in Great Britain. Such feeding of roots would be 

 too costly under American conditions. Such cattle in this 

 country, if fed rutabagas or turnips at all, are seldom fed 

 more than 10 to 20 pounds per animal, daily. Milch cows may 



