ROOT CROPS. 89 



tion and experiment show conclusively that such is the fact. 

 The average analysis, as given by different authors, both in this 

 country and Europe, is as follows : — 



or 



The yield of an acre being 700 bushels, the total amount of 

 nutritive matter afforded would be about two tons. Lord Spen- 

 cer, in an exceedingly interesting experiment, to test the relative 

 values of the mangolds and Swedes for feeding purposes, came to 

 the following results. He found, after feeding one of two steers 

 on mangolds, and the other on Swedes, that they gained at the 

 rate of forty-eight and one-quarter pounds for every ton of 

 Swedes consumed, and sixty-five and one-half pounds for every 

 ton of mangold wurzel. He then changed the food of the ani- 

 mals, giving to the one that had had Swedes, mangolds, and to 

 the other Swedes. He found that they then gained at the rate of 

 only thirty-six and three-quarters pounds for every ton of man- 

 golds consumed, and fifteen and one-half pounds for every ton 

 of Swedes. These experiments were conducted carefully, and 

 prove conclusively the relative values of the roots and the effects 

 of changing the diet of animals from a more nutritive food to a 

 less. Equal quantities of hay were consumed in both cases. 



Turnip. 



The importance of turnip culture is hardly as yet appreciated 

 in this country at its true value. In Great Britain, much atten- 

 tion is paid to it, and the farmer would be at a loss to manage 

 his stock without the assistance of this valuable root. Like the 

 Swedish turnip, this root succeeds best in light, warm soils, 

 running to long necks and heavy, luxuriant tops in richer 

 lands. 



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