573 



STEAMING ROOTS. 



This application of fire to the preparation of 

 roots for feeding stock, is a practice of the present 

 age, and it is thought a very favourable one, and 

 laigely practised by many very intelligent culti- 

 vators. The best apparatus which I have viewed 

 is that of Mr. Stares, of Hampshire, of which there 

 is an explanation and a plate in the Annals of Agri- 

 culture, vol. xxviiu p. 228. The great effects of 

 feeding cows with steamed turnips mixed with cut 

 chaff, has been detailed by the Rev. Henry Close, 

 in the Communications to the Board of Agriculture ; 

 and this application of potatoes in feeding horses, 

 has been practised upon a very large scale by H. C. 

 Cunven, Esq. M. P. 



FATTING BEASTS. 



Of the food raised on the farm, the best for this 

 business is parsnips ; next carrots ; then come cab- 

 bages, potatoes, and turnips. If a fanner has a due 

 provision of these plants, with good hay for cutting 

 into chaff with straw, he will not find corn and oil- 

 cake profitable, unless beef promises to be very 

 high, and corn and cake very cheap. Whatever 

 the food, it cannot be too often repeated, that small 

 i|\iantities are to be given at a time ; that troughs, 

 cribs, &c. are to be kept very clean, and that litter 

 i^ust be so plentiful, that the beasts have clean 

 hid^s and warm beds. 



BREEDING 



