212 



Feeds and Feeding. 



The yields are based on comparatively small areas, but the 

 figures are valuable in expressing the comparative returns of the 

 several crops. 



315. Yield of digestible nutrients. — The digestible nutrients 

 yielded by each crop are the true measure of their value to the 

 farmer. These are presented in the foUoTving table: 



Estimated yield of digestible nutrients per acre in root crops grovm at 



the Ontario Agricultural CoUege. 



Crop. 



185 bushels of potatoes 



28 tons carrots 



24 tons mangels 



23 tons fall (flat) turnips 



20 tons nita-bagas (Swedes) 

 17 tons sugar beets 



The potato gives the poorest returns of any crop under trial 

 measured by the total digestible matter. The mangel and turnip 

 lead in protein, while the carrot and sugar beet stand first in 

 carbohydrates. The relatively low amount of protein in the 

 sugar beet with its high content of carbohydrates, mostly sugar, 

 shows how successfully that plant has been bred for the single 

 purpose of sugar production. 



316. The potato. — Despite the poor showing for the potato it often 

 happens that the farmer has large quantities of these tubers which 

 would better be fed to his stock than forced on a profitless market. 

 According to Fjord's experiments, four pounds of potatoes are 

 worth one pound of grain for pig feeding. Trials by the writer 

 showed that 445 pounds of potatoes, when cooked, were equal to 

 100 pounds of corn meal for pigs. (4S3-6, 866, 897) For pig 

 feeding, potatoes should be cooked and mixed with meal; for 

 sheep and cattle they are fed sliced, with good results. Care 

 should be exercised in regulating the amount fed, heavy feeding 

 of raw potatoes inducing scouring. (658) 



317. The carrot. — This root is much relished by horses of all 

 ages and conditions. (487) Being watery, it cannot be fed in 



