MISCELLANEOUS ROUGHAGES 



297 



Mangels or Mangel-wurzels. — The average chemical com- 

 position of mangels is as follows : water, 90.9 per cent ; 

 ash, 1.1 per cent; crude protein, 1.4 per cent; crude fiber, 

 0.9 per cent; nitrogen-free extract, 5.5 per cent; and fat, 

 0.2 per cent. The net energy value is 4.6 therms per 100 

 pounds. Their actual feeding value, however, is much 

 greater than their chemical composition indicates. They 

 are especially valuable in keeping the digestive system in 



Fig. 81. — Mangels. (Cornell Experiment Station.) 



good condition. Their most important use is to promote 

 growth in young animals and to stimulate milk production. 

 If fed in too large quantities, they are liable to cause scour- 

 ing. They are commonly sliced before feeding. 



Milk cows and beef cattle may be fed 20 to 30 pounds 

 per day. Young calves may be fed two or three pounds per 

 day, the amount being increased as they grow older. In 

 England as much as 100 pounds per day are fed cattle which 

 are being fattened. Mangels are not usually fed to horses, 

 but there is no apparent reason why a few pounds daily 



