FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



beets have considerable purgative properties, caused by the 

 large proportion of organic acids which they contain, a fact 

 that must be recognized when feeding them 



Sugar beet tops. With sugar beets, the proportion of 

 the tops to the beets is large, usually more than 25 per cent, 

 owing to the fact that a considerable proportion of the root 

 is removed with the top when preparing the roots for the 

 factory. The feeding value of the tops, therefore, is very 

 considerable, but, because of the presence of oxalic acid in 

 the leaves, they should be fed with moderation. In some 

 countries of Europe, lime is sprinkled over the successive 

 layers which form the earth-covered heaps in which they 

 are sometimes kept for feeding, with a view to neutralize 

 the acid. 



Turnip tops. The tops of rutabagas and turnips are 

 usually from 20 to 25 per cent of the entire crop. Live 

 stock are very fond of them and they do not possess purga- 

 tive properties to nearly the same extent as beet leaves. But 

 they must be fed with caution and discretion to cows in 

 milk, or they will taint the same and also the butter made 

 from the milk. To avoid such a result, they should be con- 

 sumed only after each milking. 



Carrot tops. The tops of carrots furnish from 20 to 

 25 per cent of the total weight of the crop, but the dry mat- 

 ter in the tops is somewhat greater than in the roots. Car- 

 rot tops, like those of turnips and rutabagas, do not relax 

 the bowels nearly as much as the tops of beets or mangels. 

 Nor do any of these taint milk as do rutabagas or turnips. 



Sweet potato tops. The tops of sweet potatoes, though 

 possessed of considerable feeding value, are seldom fed to 

 live stock, owing in a considerable degree to the difficulty of 

 harvesting the vines, because of the trailing character of 

 their growth. This does not apply to the vineless sorts, 

 which may be cut with the mower. In some instances they 

 are grazed down before the tubers are dug. Sheep are best 

 adapted to such grazing. 



