Sugar Beet ... 67-11 2-80 -05 26-95 1-46 1-63 1:9.7 



According to feeding experiments conducted in the 

 United States, eight pounds of mangels are equal in feeding 

 value to one pound of maize grain. Calculated on this basis, 

 three times more feeding value is obtained from an acre of 

 roots yielding 20 tons than from one acre of maize yielding 8 

 bags (26 to 27 bushels). From the above analyses it will be 

 seen that mangels contain a very large proportion of water, 

 and consequently do not contain sufficient nourishment to 

 form the sole ration ; the mangel should therefore be supple- 

 mented with more concentrated foodstuffs, e.g., lucerne hay, 

 maize meal, etc. Its chief value, however, lies in its tonic 

 effect and succulency during periods when feeds of this nature 

 are scarce. It can be fed to all classes of livestock, but as the 

 cost of production of this crop in the Union is rather high, its 

 use as a feed will naturally be restricted to comparatively 

 high-priced stock. 



Climate and Soils. — Mangels require a warm growing 

 season of about five to six months, and plenty of moisture, for 

 full development. Maximum yields in the Union are obtained 

 under irrigation in somwehat arid areas. After the first two 

 months of growth the plants are fairly drought-resistant. 

 When grown on land not irrigated (drylands), the early 

 growing period must take place after the regular summer 

 rains have commenced. 



Next to the salt-bushes, mangels are probably the most 

 alkali-resistant of farm crops. 



They require deep, open, productive, well-drained soils; 

 heavy clays and loose sandy soils should bo avoided. They 

 respond well to manures, particularly nitrogenous manures. 



