Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-09-07
Roots for Mich Cows.
RELATIVE VALUE or TuRNIPs, MANGELs AM
CARROTS IN THE PRODUCTION or MILK.

RELATIVE VALUE or TugNIPs, MANGEts AND
CARROTS IN THE PRODUCTION or MILK.
In recent number of the Mark Lane Err.
press we find a statement from an English
writer on the comparative value of mangels,
carrots and turnips for the production Of milk.
lie regards both the carrot and mangel as in
ierior to the turnip, when quality Of milk is
sought-that is milk Astounding in cream.
As the relative value Of different kinds Of
food must always be Of interest to dairymcn,
we give this writer's statement, but without
in any way indorsing it. lie says
Although mangel-wurzel enables COWS to
give large supply Of milk, it is Of poorer
quality than when they are turnip fed, and
not nearly so productive Of cream The but
ter made from it has also slightly acrid
taste, not 80 powerful as that Of turnips per-
haps, but much more difficult wholly to re.
move or even to obyiate TO passable degree.
The thinness of the milk, when wholly man
gel-fed, and this unpleasant TASTE make it
imperative to feed with bran, grain, crushed
corn, or a portion of cake during the whole
time this root is being used with milch cows.
Farm horses eat it with great apparent
relish and thrive well upon it and by its use
a moderate saving in oats can be effected.
When grated and mixed with chopped hay, a
very agreeable and appetizing mess is formed,
both filling and nourishing, and highly con
ducive to the health Of the animals. If graz
ting is objected to on the score of extra
trouble, the whole roots thrown into the feed
ing box with the cut hay do almost equally
well, the saliva of the horse and abundant
sap of the root itself moistening the chat
abundantly."
The carrot is evidently regarded Of less
value for milk than the mangel, for he says
" In giving carrots to mich cows, the only
recommendation they have is the absence OF
all unpleasant taste ia the butter, as the milk
is neither so abundant in quantity nor so rich
in quality as that obtained in turnip feeding
He remarks, further, that some years ago q
series Of experiments were instituted with diff
ferent roots, the. whole extending over peri.
cd Of about four months, and the conclusion
arrived at, after such heightened trial, wa.
exactly that which is here recorded But as
feed for farm horses they are recommended
as they save corn and give fine gloss to the
skin, besides keeping the animals in good con.
dition. From fourteen to twenty-one pounds
in single feed are liberal allowance any
thing over that being apt to affect the kid
neys and induce excessive stating"
This writer's estimation of turnips seems
to correspond very nearly with that held by
DR.. Loring, who, we believe, regards the
turnip as the king of roots" for feeding
whether to COWS or horses. There are SC
many different opinions in regard to the re-
lative value of these roots as feed for mlcf
COWS, that we should be glad to see the result
Of some wel.conducted experiments at oui
Agricultural colleges, to throw more light Oh
the matter. And these experiments in feed
ing properly belong to the Agricultural col
leges since they can there be conducted with
that care and accuracy that would be likely
to give authoritative results which would b,
Of great value to the farmer