CHAPTEE XVIII 



ROOT AND ALLIED CROPS 



These crops are grown for human consumption, some 

 often for the manufacture of sugar, but in the Union princi- 

 pally as a foodstuff for livestock. Their present rdle in South 

 Africa is a small one; nevertheless, in specialised farming, 

 such as dairying and sheep farming, where climatic, soil, and 

 irrigation conditions are suitable, their cultivation is likely to 

 increase. 



The chief field crops belonging to this group are : — 

 ChenopodiacecB : Beta vulgaris : — 



(1) Sugar Beets. 



(2) Leaf-Beets or Chard. 



(3) Mangel-Wurzels or Mangels or Mangolds. 

 Cruciferce : — 



(4) Turnip — Brassica rapa. 



(5) Swede or Rutabaga — Brassica campestris. 



(6) Eape — Brassica napus. 



(7) Kale — B. olcracea var. viridis. 



(8) Kohlrabi — B. oleracea var. caulorapa, 

 Umhelliferce : — 



(9) Carrot — Daucus carota. 

 Coynpositce — 



(iO) Jerusalem Artichokes — Heliantlms tuberosum.- 



A common characteristic of these crops is that during the 



first season the excessive nutrients not needed for the 



immediate use of the plants are stored up in the roots, leaves, 



or thickened stems. 



They are grown most extensively in European countries 

 and in Canada. In the United States maize silage is mostly 

 used to provide succulent feed during winter, though 

 " roots " are often grown for the special feeding of certain 



301 



