FOOD 261 



It is generally believed that sheep are somewhat difficult 

 to bring on to roots owing to the liability to ' scour,' but 

 it is quite possible this may be due to the fact they have 

 been given in excess. Sheep should be brought on to 

 them in sparing quantities, and with a sufficiently nitro- 

 genous diet. Most sheep breeders restrict their in-lamb 

 ewes in the matter of roots, owing to the supposed liabiHty 

 to abortion. 



Mangels are a very valuable crop, but better suited for 

 spring and early summer feeding than for autumn and 

 winter. This is due to the fact they require at least two 

 months to mature after the crop is ' pulled,' during which 

 time sugar develops at the expense of the pectin, and the 

 irritating properties of the mangel, which cause diarrhoea, ' 

 are got rid of. It is said by some that if mangels are 

 exposed to the air for a week or two, they may be used 

 early in the season with safety. If mangels are kept too 

 long they lose a considerable amount of dry matter, due to 

 destruction of the sugar. 



Mangels are very liable to be damaged by frost, so during 

 the winter they should be buried. Frost-bitten roots fre- 

 quently cause tympany and other trouble. 



Mangels in excess are liable with male sheep to produce 

 serious trouble. McFadyean has shown* that a diet of 

 mangels produces diuresis, increases the alkalinity of the 

 urine, and so favours the deposition of salts of magnesium 

 phosphate, the crystals of which, being unable to pass 

 through the vermiform appendix of the penis, block the 

 urethra. 



The mangel crop is not very prone to parasitic trouble 

 excepting from the attacks of the Beet Fly, which blisters 

 the leaf by feeding on its structure. 



Mangels should be given sliced or pulped ; the bulk of 

 evidence is in favour of slicing, as they then require more 

 mastication and animals do better on them. 



The amount allowed to animals is from 60 lbs. to 70 lbs. 

 daily for cattle, and about 20 lbs. or less for sheep. 



* Journal Boyal Agricultural Society, vol. ix., part i., 1898. 



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