FOOD FROM FIELD ROOTS AND TUBERS 33 1 



Carrots. The carrot is one of the surest root crops 

 that can be grown in the United States, and it may also be 

 grown under the greatest variety of conditions. It is also 

 one of the most valuable when it is grown. Nevertheless, 

 it is probably grown to a less extent as a food for live stock 

 than any other root crop devoted to such feeding. This 

 arises, first, from the relatively large amount of labor in- 

 volved in keeping the crop clean, and second, from the rel- 

 atively large amount of the same called for in harvesting 

 and storing the roots, which do not usually gpow so large 

 as other field roots. They furnish an excellent and safe 

 food for all classes of farm animals. As with other field 

 roots, they have a physiological value, so to speak, in addi- 

 tion to their feeding value, especially when the other food 

 fed is dry. To produce this effect, it is not necessary to feed 

 a large quantity. Notwithstanding, carrots are so safe a 

 food that they may be fed in large quantities where such 

 feeding will prove economical. It is not necessary to slice 

 them for feeding unless when they are being fed to young 

 calves or to lambs. 



For cattle of all classes, carrots furnish an excellent 

 food. A few pounds fed daily to calves will add greatly 

 to their development, especially when the fodder fed 

 is dry. They may be fed with the utmost freedom to milch 

 cows, and without any fear of tainting the milk. They tend 

 greatly to stimulate milk production in cows on winter ra- 

 tions. For milk production they may be fed up to the limit 

 of at least 30 pounds daily, when they are not too costly. 

 When they can be spared for such a use, a few pounds fed 

 daily to cattle that are being wintered on dry fodder will 

 result in great benefit to them. They will also tend to pro- 

 duce rapid gains when fed to cattle that are being fattened, 

 but they are usually too costly a food to admit of feeding 

 them thus. 



For sheep, carrots are as valuable relatively as for cat- 

 tle. From I to 3 pounds daily in the winter will add 

 much to the thrift of store sheep and breeding ewes kept on 



