1906,] 



Quality of Swedes. 



283 



quality as estimated by the dry matter was sometimes made up 

 by the quantity of produce. For instance, a 20-ton crop 

 analysing 13 per cent, of dry matter is equivalent to a 26-ton 

 crop containing 10 per cent, of dry matter, on the assumption 

 that all the dry matter is of equal feeding value. The 26-ton 

 crop contains then an excess of 6 tons of water over that in the 

 20-ton crop, and the extra labour involved in the handling of a 

 watery turnip crop is a point to be taken into account, as well as 

 the injurious effects sometimes consequent upon injudicious 

 feeding of watery bulbs. A proof of the fact that the dry 

 matter in the roots can be taken as an indication of the feeding 

 value was afforded by the Sheep Feeding Experiments of 1903 

 and 1904 conducted at the same College. 



The sheep in these experiments were of the same class and 

 nearly of the same size. They received the same concentrated 

 foods and as much hay and swedes as they could eat. The 

 swedes used in 1903 analysed just over 10 per cent, dry matter, 

 while those of 1904 analysed just under 13 percent. Of the 

 former there were consumed 17*2 lb. per head per day, and of 

 the latter only 12*4 lb. The theoretical quantity to give the 

 same amount of feeding material should have been 13^ lb. 

 The sheep did equally well, and this indicates a clear advantage 

 in favour of the swede with a high percentage of solids. In 

 fact, the sheep consumed 2/1 tons of the former for every 

 20 tons of the latter. Evidently, therefore, bulk can be sacri- 

 ficed to a considerable extent without decreasing the feeding 

 value of the crop if it is balanced by improved quality. 



As regards actual yield, the experiments showed the Premier, 

 in the two seasons in which it was tested, to be the heaviest 

 cropper ; while the Conqueror occupied a hardly less prominent 

 position in being second in each of the three seasons ; while 

 the Magnum Bonum, Paragon, Dods' Favourite, Royal Crimson, 

 Waverley, Model, Aberdeenshire Prize, Queen, and Best of All, 

 may be regarded as varieties giving heavy crops. Stirling 

 Castle, Kinaldie, and New Arctic are more prominent for 

 quality. Carter's Elephant, Excelsior, and the rest of those 

 tested proved themselves light croppers. 



In the following table the yield per acre, the weight of dry 

 matter per acre, and the percentage of dry matter are given, the 



