Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1881-09-22

House and Farm
Feeding Turnfps.


respondent, Mr.. j. Talcott, concerning
the feeding of roots, I would say that
previous to the time that / fatted the
two peeves referred to-, had heard
the subject discussed as to whether
the food that beef or other animal
was fatted on would impart the flavor
or taste of that feod to the meat.
While admitting the plausibility of
the theory, yet doubted the truth Of
it to DO the extent claimed by some Of
its advocates.
To satisfy myself in relation to the
matter, decided to feed one beef on
turnips as before stated. This COW
was fed about two bushels Of cut rut-
abagas @ day, after she was fed on
hay, and this ration was continued up
to the day before she was slaughtered.
Two quarters Of this beef were sold to
different parties, the other | kept for
nv own use. While this beef was be-
ing dressed and cut up, and while try
ing out the tallow, | was unable to
detect any turnip taste or smell. On
;nquiring Of those persons who
bought and used the two quarters Of
beef mentioned above, they pronounc-
ed the beef Of a superior quality, and
that they discovered no turnlp favor
about the meat or tallow in any way
that it was used.
The COW that I fatted the next
year was fed and treated in the same
way, and part o. the beef sold to
other parties, and with the same re.
suits. Since that time / have fatted
beeves wholly and in part en- rutaba-
gas, and have sold the meat to our
butchers end other persons; vet have
never heard Of a single instance in
which the taste of turnips was noticed
in the meat. For several years past
when l have had surplus Of turnips
10 spare for that purpose, I have fat.
tsd my beeves partly on turnips and
partly on meal, giving one ration of
Eurnips and one of meal in day. In
nll respects I think that the results
have been more satisfactory than
when | have fed either turnips or
meal exclusively.
During the past winter fatted
three he;fers. Two of them were two
years old in March 1880; the other,
sno years old in October following,
After they came to the barn, l COM
menced feeding them, in addition to
what hay they wanted, onehalf bush
81 Of turnips in the morning and two
quarts of Indian meal and ore quart
ofwheat bran mixed together at night.
January q. killed one Of the oldest
heifers, and on February 6 the ether
two were killed. The dressed weight
Of the three was 2,0S4 pounds. The
euality of the beef was pronounced
uy the butcher, who had two of them
to be equal to any be had ever
bought.
The lot of lambs THAT 7 fed ore
year ago last winter were fatted on
turnips and corn. In the spring
they were sold to a butcher who
dressed and used them for his own
trade. He said they were the fattest
lot of lambs that he had ever bought.
He never intimated to me that any
turnip favor had been noticed by
him or others to whom he had sold
the meat, although he knew that they
had been ted on turnips every day up
to the time that he bought them.
IN answer to Mr.. Talcott's inquiry,
I would say that both my experience
and observation have led me to fully
endorse the sentiments expressed IN
the closing paragraphs of his commr'
nicstion in relation to the feeding of
cattle as we'll as other farm stock, and
the observation of all intelligent farm.
ers must confirm the truth of his
etatementp-C T. Ahpord, IN Anser5-
cn7s Cuhtyutor.,