BOOT-CROPS. 67 



for the requirements of fattening animals. In roots the albu- 

 minoid ratio varies very greatly ; but it is probably seldom 

 more than as 1 to 12, and frequently as low as 1 to 20 or 

 more. The ratio will generally be lower in swedes than in 

 common turnips, and lower still in mangels. 



It is obviously very essential to give with roots other Necessity 

 foods which are richer in albuminoid substances, and which -C 07 " l nixed 

 contain a higher proportion of albuminoid to digestible 

 non-nitrogenous matters. Nevertheless roots are, by virtue 

 of the amount of sugar they supply, very valuable for meet- 

 ing the respiratory requirements of the animals, also for 

 fat-forming, and for milk - production, when given in due 

 admixture. 



General Conclusions. 



From all the illustrations that have been adduced, it will 

 be obvious that both the quantity and quality of the produce, 

 and consequently its feeding value, will greatly depend on the 

 selection of the best description of roots to be grown, and on 

 the character and the amount of the manures, and especially 

 on the amount of nitrogenous manure, to be employed. It will 

 at the same time be obvious that no hard and fast lines can 

 be laid down in regard to these points. Independently of 

 the necessary consideration of the general economy of the 

 farm, the choice must be influenced partly by the character of 

 the soil, but very much more by that of the climate. Judg- 

 ment, founded, it is true, on knowledge, and aided by careful 

 observation, both in the field and in the feeding-shed, must be 

 relied upon as the guide of the practical farmer. 



Lastly, independently of the great advantage arising from 

 the opportunity which the growth of roots affords for the 

 cleaning of the land, the benefits of growing the crop in 

 rotation are due — to the large amount of manure applied for 

 its growth, to the large residue of the manure left in the soil 

 for future crops, to the large amount of matter at once 

 returned as manure again in the leaves, to the large amount 

 of food produced, and to the small proportion of the most 

 important manurial constituents of the roots which is retained 

 by store or fattening animals consuming them, the rest 

 returning as manure again ; though, when roots are used for 

 the production of milk, a much larger proportion of the 

 constituents is lost to the manure. 



