80 ON ROOT CROPS. 



will remain ff>20b ; a balance of ^150 in favor of 

 Mangel Wurtzels, and without making any allowance 

 for the superior condition in which the land would be 

 for a succeeding crop. But the value of roots does 

 not depend merely upon the common amount of pro- 

 duce. As an article of food for cattle or swine, they 

 are very valuable as well as very cheap. On a farm 

 profitably managed, there always will be a considera- 

 ble quantity of ordinary fodder which is too valuable 

 to be wasted, but which does not contain nourish- 

 ment sufficient to sustain cattle in good flesh. While 

 eating this, they need some nutritious food to supply 

 the deficiency — roots are just the article necessary. 



The great expense of providing food for cattle, is 

 not the only disadvantage resultnig from our tedious 

 winters. Six months is too long a period to keep 

 cattle entirely confined to dry fodder. Without some 

 change, it is difficult to prevent their losing flesh ; 

 and indeed for a few weeks before turning to pas- 

 ture, this will be the case more or less. This is quite 

 a serious evil with cows which calve early in the sea- 

 son. They become dainty, just when they require 

 an additional quantity of food. Milch cows are thus 

 injured for the whole season, to the great damage of 

 their owners. For although their milk will increase 

 when they are turned to pasture, it never will be 

 so abundant as it would have been had the cows 

 been supplied with suitable food before they were 

 turned out. Now an abundant supply of roots will 

 enable the farmer to consume all his ordinary fodder 

 without injuring his cattle in growth or flesh, to keep 

 them in good health and to prevent his milch cows 

 from being partially dried before they are turned to 

 pasture. 



In these unkindly seasons it is no small recommen- 

 dation to say truly of a crop, that it is a sure one. 

 So far as the seasons are concerned, this may be said 

 with respect to Mangel Wurtzels. If the land is suit- 



