174 SCIENTIFIC FEEDING OF ANIMALS 



other dry matter is given along with them. It is 

 well to restrict the amount of roots or tubers to 

 £- j- of the total dry matter in the ration, and up 

 to this point they have a very beneficial effect on 

 fattening and milch cattle, and in smaller quantities 

 on young stock also. Roots are less suitable for 

 horses which have to work at a rapid pace, for they 

 tend to cause softness and liability to sweat, but 

 slow-working animals may be given moderate 

 quantities. Foals ought only, from time to time, 

 to get a few mangels. Sheep which are fed con- 

 tinuously on such watery food are rather liable to 

 sickness and disease, but pigs do very well on large 

 quantities of roots and tubers. 



On account of their cooling and slightly purgative 

 action, mangels, etc., are useful in preventing 

 torpidity of the digestive organs and constipation. 

 As a good deal of soil adheres to roots and tubers, it 

 is advisable to wash them before they are given to 

 the animals. 



I. Plants similar to the beet all contain con- 

 siderable quantities of sugar, the dry matter of 

 the mangel as much as 60%, the carrot and kohl- 

 rabi 50%, and turnips 50-60%. The members 

 of the beet family are also distinguished by con- 

 taining a large amount of pectin substances which 

 are very digestible, but starch is absent except in 

 the case of the carrot. They also agree in having 

 a high percentage of non-protein nitrogenous sub- 



