Notices for a Young Farmer. xxxi 



among us. The Scarcity root is there cultivated extensively, 

 for dairy cows and ewes in milk ; also for fatting cattle, with 

 oil cake, occasionally, as a change. It supplies succuh v-X food, 

 in the season when such food is the most scarce. This root 

 thrives well in our country ; and should be more generally 

 attended to ; for swine and cattle particularly. For the lat- 

 ter, it is important at all seasons ; its leaves in summer be- 

 ing as valuable, as its roots in winter or spring. Carrots 

 may also be profitably cultivated. They are not only highly 

 nutritious, but preventives against some diseases, and reme- 

 dies for others, (asthmatic maladies particularly,) in horses 

 or cattle. High prices, and scarcity of bread stuffs, will com- 

 pel us to imitate European examples, in substituting esculent 

 roots for grain, in feeding our live stock. Of Potatoes we 

 know so much, both as to their culture and uses, that it seems 

 unnecessary to mention what is commonly practised. It has 

 been the opinion of many, for a long time past, that they arc 

 exhausting; and that unless additional manure is bestowed 

 on the land on which wheat is to follow them, the wheat crop 

 will not be abundant. This opinion is not confined to our 

 country. Many believe potatoes are best in dry soils; yet it 

 is asserted by an intelligent writer, in England, (see Bath 

 Papers, vol. 14, page 147,) after actual experiment for 16 

 years, that ** potatoes will never be mealy, if not grown in 

 tolerably moist ground ;" and a drained ht>ggy earth is pre- 

 ferred to all others. In this kind of earth, the Irish potatoes 

 are generally cultivated. It is fortunate, that this root will 

 grow in almost any kind of soil ; and the advocates for differ- 

 ent opinions may respectively indulge in taking their own 

 course. Potatoes are generally planted too late. Early plant- 

 ing admits of the crop being gathered in time for sowing 

 wheat, by those approving that practice. Contrary to com- 

 mon opinion, it is now said by some practical agriculturists, 

 that young, or unripe seed potatoes, are most productive. 



Teach yourself, by reading and observation, at least the 

 outlines of veterinary knowledge ; and promote its en- 

 couragement. This will instruct you in the best and most 

 wholesome modes of feeding, as well as administering inno- 



