14 THE PARSNIP CROP. 



indicates to him that the parsnip may be kept, properly 

 stored, without suffering injury, for a longer period than 

 any other of his root crops which contain the same food 

 materials in the form of sugar, as is seen in carrots, 

 mangold, &c. If we compare the parsnip with the carrot, 

 with which plant it is most closely allied, we see that it 

 presents a superiority in many respects as a crop for 

 feeding purposes. It contains on an average about 5 or 6 

 per cent, less water than the carrot, which materially im- 

 proves its keeping qualities, the difference being made up 

 by an additional proportion of solid extractive matter, 

 by which its general feeding qualities are proportionately 

 increased. The flesh-forming compounds, too, are nearly 

 double those contained in the carrot; while the oil, starch, 

 &c., in its composition would indicate that for fattening 

 as well as for feeding purposes it is of greatly superior 

 value. 



