AND OTHER FOB AGE PLANTS. 5 5' 



with a root cutter. Otherwise animals are liable to choke; but 

 this is not the only or principal objection to feeding whole. 

 There is great waste in several ways in feeding whole large po- 

 tatoes and that is the sort all should produce. But it is cruel to 

 feed them whole ; for in attempting to bite off pieces the gums 

 of the animal (even of the hog) are often badly lacerated and the 

 blood flows freely. No animal can be benefitted under such suf- 

 fering however fed otherwise. 



For milk cows, potatoes are very profitable in combination' 

 with hay, grass and other foods. They improve the appetite, di- 

 gestion and condition generally. 



For the horse there is no better food than sweet potatoes. In 

 a warm climate, even in winter, I should say if a horse is to be 

 deprived of corn or potatoes, let him have the latter. The rider 

 or driver will soon discover that the animal has a softer smooth- 

 er coat, a healthier skin and secretions, more life, elasticity and 

 bottom than when fed on corn; that he will endure more hard- 

 ship, render more service and last longer. 



For the table, we have nothing that may be prepared in a great- 

 er variety of ways or that can furnish a greater number of ap- 

 petising dishes than the sweet potato ; to say nothing of its many 

 other uses in domestic arts and medicine. 



The vines. As fodder, nothing can be found richer, better, or 

 more relished by live stock. Even when thickly covered with 

 mould, they are readily eaten by animals. They are full of rich, 

 starchy, sugary gum and rnilk and consequently very difficult to 

 cure cannot be dried at ordinary temperatures. 



When ready to harvest the crop, a very large plow may be 

 used to tear off and heap the vines. These vines may be hung 

 on fences, stumps, rails, poles or under open sheds and thus par- 

 tially dried. Those exposed to rain or dew should be used first ; 

 and those under shelter reserved indefinitely for emergencies du- 

 ring winter. If not convenient to gather the vines ; long before 

 harvesting the roots, calves and colts, or a milk cow or two may 

 be turned on the vines an hour or more daily with much benefit 

 to the animals and little detriment to the tubers if the growth of 

 vines be rank. 



CULTIVATION OF THE SWEET POTATO. 



A variety suitable for the purpose contemplated should be se- 

 lected. If for the table, none can surpass the old white or rather 

 creamy yellowish yam with deeply lobed leaves and slender vines. 

 One or two other varieties are nice for the table, for starch and 

 other purposes. But it is for stock food that we are to consider it 

 here. The red or Cuba yam is approved by many because it is 

 early, attains large size, mostly rounded and yields an abundant 

 harvest. It however, contains less nutritive matter and more 



