ANIMALS AND THEIR PRODUCTS. 125 



the carrot be given to milch cows, because it imparts 

 an unpleasant flavor to the milk. But it has the ad- 

 vantage of most if not of all other crops in the great 

 amount that can be grown on an acre, without injuring 

 the land, but rather benefiting it, for other crops, 

 particularly for the wheat crop. In countries that are 

 both wheat-growing and wool-growing, the turnip cul- 

 ture has proved highly advantageous. The sheep eat 

 the turnips; and the turnips and sheep prepare the 

 ground for wheat. England can this moment raise 

 turnips enough to feed millions of sheep, and yet raise 

 more wheat, than if no turnips were grown. Whether 

 such a state of things will ever be introduced into our 

 country, time must show. But as many are doing a 

 little at the turnip culture, it is desirable to ascertain 

 what is the best use for these roots. They seem to 

 possess very little of the fattening properties. For 

 stock cattle, if turned off with poorish hay, they could 

 not fail to be of great use, both for the substantial 

 nourishment they contain, and from their influence in 

 keeping the animals in a healthy condition. But their 

 great use is for sheep. Sheep will do well on about 

 half the hay they would otherwise require, if they can 

 have as many turnips as they will eat. Our climate is 

 less favorable to the turnip culture than the more hu- 

 mid climate of England. There, from 25 to 30 tons of 

 turnips can be grown to the acre with great certainly. 

 Our dry climate must ever render this crop less certain. 



222. I have not spoken of potatoes, as a food for 

 animals, because this crop has become so doubtful, 

 owing to the blight, that if hereafter we can obtain 



