FEEDING VALUE OF ROOTS. 



63 



Knowing this, the ill effect likely to be produced, may easily be 

 avoided. 



The roots that are generally fed to sheep are sugar beets, man- 

 gels, ruta-bagas, yellow turnips, and white or cow-horn turnips, and 

 are to be preferred in the order in which they are here enumer- 

 ated. Their comparative nutritive value may be gathered from 

 the following table, the estimates hi which are from analyses by 

 Drs. Voelcker and Lankester : 



TABLE OF THE NUTRITIVE ELEMENTS OF ROOTS. 



Considering the large quantity of water contained in them, roots 

 may be considered as highly nutritious food, and when fed in con- 

 junction with dry fodder, and in proper proportions, are greatly 

 conducive to the health and growth of the sheep. Their effect 

 upon the quality of the wool, especially the lustrous wool of some 

 of the long-wool sheep, is very favorable. The proper quantity 

 of roots to be given depends upon the kind of sheep. As a 

 safe guide, it may be estimated that one bushel of roots will be a 

 sufficient daily allowance for 10 sheep weighing 150 Ibs. each, live 

 weight, if along with the roots, li Ib. of hay and i Ib. of meal or 

 bran per head be given. The question of food rations will, how- 

 ever, be considered at length in another place. 



Grain, or preparations of grain of various kinds, furnish the 

 concentrated foods, which are found needful to maintain sheep in 

 a healthful condition, or to induce rapid growth and fattening for 

 market. These foods exist in abundant variety, but no one alone 

 can be fed with the greatest benefit for any length of time. A 

 change of food is both acceptable to, and healthful for sheep, and 

 the difference in the money value of these articles of food, which 

 exists at nearly all times, makes it necessary to exercise a judi- 

 cious choice in this respect, in order to secure the greatest profit. 

 The feeding value of these various substances used as winter feed 

 for sheep, varies greatly, as may be seen from the following table ' 



