Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-11-20
Feeding roots.

Feeding roots.
The subject raising and feeding roots,
is receiving increased attention in this
country, as well it might, when we cons
slider and become practically acquainted
with their relative value, as compared
with corn and other grain. But objeco
lions arise in regard to raising roots
largely for feeding purposes, on account
of the amount of labor involved in their
culture, harvesting and storing. A Com
neottiiout correspondent of the Country
Gentleman writes as follows:
As all know, root crops are a heavy
crop to handle, rs is necessary in har-
vesting, and again in feeding out In
England, where the turnip and other
roots are so generously raised, the climate
admits of their being fed off on the field
where they grow, saving q very great
amount Of labor and heavy lifting. The
climate Of the northern portion of our
! country, where roots are the most raised,
| precludes the advantages enjoyed in
| England Instead Of turning on Sleeper
cattle to feed off our turnips, we are
under the necessity Of harvesting them,
which involves the labor of pulling, top
| ping, hauling and storing, and again
handling to feed out, which makes much
lifting. Not only this, but the storage
requires considerable room, and this
room must be proof against frost, so as to
prevent the freezing of the roofs
The number who grow roots for feed
ing increases annually, and often new
beginners in feeding, are at loss
t. know the most economical mode of
feeding them out Those who are mex
perienced in feeding them often are Has
bic to feed too freely, where they have the
roots in plenty; thus, instead of benefit
ing the animals, they rather injure them
too much of a good thing is worse than
none Feeding too freely gives the ami.
strength, and consequence Is, they lose
il condition, and turnips are voted a
humbug, and are Improbable, when, in
stead, the humbug lies in the error or iSN
nOrance, in feeding.
Animals, as we'll as men, are fond of 4
variety of food in their diet, and in win
ter the most general provision made for
their keeping is hay, straw ard stalks, all
of which have to be dried in order to
keep in bulk and this constant feed Of
dry food creates Il craving for other and
more suculent food. Dry hay, &c, shOIld
form 4 part Of the daily fodder ofOur ami
mails, Eo matter what else may be added.
This is necessary to the health and well
l.. -. -, Il &, fHbTz
should follow, whether we have the OBJ
iect of producing milk or beet, or to keep
our animals only in a thriving condi7
ton.
The quantity Of turnips suitable to be
fed to an animal depends largely upon
the purpose had in view in feeding size
and strength oC the animal fed, etc.
Cows giving milk may have (sliced and
mixed with hay or stalks a bushel day,
at their three feeds, but generally less
quantity is preferable, as so large q
quantity is apt to prove too lOosening-
they not eating sufficient dry feed to
absorb and neutralze the water of the
roots. For cows giving milk where
quality is desirable, it is better to feed a
portion of meal with them, One-haF n
jushel day, with too quarts of meal
mixed, and good feeding with hay or
sweet cornstalks, will give good quanti-
ties as well as quality Of milk, and good
yellow butter. A fattening bullock, or
animal, may have 4 bushel, at three feeds
a day, giving him what good hay he may
consume in connection; and he will gain
as fast rs on any feed that can lie
! given, and the beef so fed, finished of the
| last few weeks of feeding with the prinS
cipal feed of meal will be tender, juicy
| and well mixed with fat, rich, and much
| to be preferred to that made entirely OF
corn meal-at least such is the case in
nv own estimation and experience.
Stock cattle with plenty Of hay or stalks,
! with one-fourth to one. half bushel OF
turnips a day, will be kept thriving, pros
vided they have good shelter, without any
grain.
A great mistake is often made in feed
ing roots without cleaning them Of dirt;
they ought to be we'll cleaned by washing,
or other wav-washinC is the most prac7
| teal. Several bushels may be cleaned at
once, By the aid of cylinder revolving
in vat of watcr-the cylinder being COWS
! bTtu Will SluAS, WIN 9t'SNS DNINSN"
which pass the water and dirt A good
root cutter is almost Indispensable for
cutting the roots for feeding.
Many growers raise only one variety
of roots; consequently there is no choice
which shall be first fed but when sew
eral varieties are grown, the English tur-
nips are the first TO feed of the turnip
variety, as they remain in their best COM
dition only few weeks; follow these
with ruta bagas and white French tur-
nips, these keeping well through the win
ter; carrots and sugar beets may be used
as soon as dug-these are the best roots
for mileh cows, not giving the milk that
unpleasant flavor SO often experienced
when turnips are fed The mangel wur'
eel needs to undergo a curing process,
and should be the last fed they are good
= keepers, holding on till June. They show
by analysis a much greater nutritiyt
value than the Swedish turnips, and ara
a much more valuable crop to raise.