Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-12-24
FEEDING vAlus OF POTATOES.

Chemical analysis gives a very low
feeding value 10 potatoes, as well as all
other root crops. That il Is not possible
TO show the total food value of any srti-
Gle by chemical work, Is statement
easy OF proof. As between two or more
articles of food, each of which has a
similar effect upon the animal system,
analysis shows which i the more valu-
able. Il Is safe 20 follow the teachings
OF chemistry in making comparisons be-
tween similar foods; II Is not safe To
make comparison between foods which
are dissimi,ar. Chemistry cannot show
the dietary effect Of any food upon the
system. Theoretically, a man can live
upon tablets containing the same chem
ical properties OF human food AS are
found In ordinary food rations; prae-
ticaily, man not oEly will stsrve upon
those tablets, but they also hasten his
death BY causing internal arrangement.
consideration the effect of food upon the
system before we eau place any Just esti-
mate upon its value for man or beast.
Experience shows that potatoes have
a much higher feeding value than any
chemist has assigned TO them. They, In
common with most root crops, have
dietary effect upon the animal system,
which Is equal, at least, TO their real
food value a. shown by analysis.
have recently seen IL stated, by dairy
man OF Que OF the central states, that
potatoes were worth 20 him fifty cents
per bnshel as feed for cows. lie claimed
that by substituting potatoes for the
grain ration twice week, there was no
decrease either of milk or butter. SO
fed, they were worth, TO him, as much
as grain.
This Il twice as much as | have ever
been able 10 obtain from them, IS the
highest value | can place upon them as
the result of my experience Is twenty
five cents per bushel. The quantity OF
potatoes that can BE- protitsbly fed Il
limited. While small amount will have
good effect and prove profitable,
large amount often proves Injurious.
They are not complete food either for
man or beast, and are, therefore, best
used in combination with more highly
concentrated food products, such as
corn, wheat, meal, etc.
A. feed for horses | prefer one
bushel OF potatoes 20 two bushels OF car
rois, although many place high value
upon the latter. Ii Is as food for hens
that | have obtained the best results
from potatoes. Fed 10 laying hens IN
connection with grain and meat foods
they are worth a. much ss shorts, or
wheat bran, /. G., hy measure, not by
weight. -Four quarts OF potatoes cook
ed and mashed aud mixed with meal
give as good results as sn equal quantity
0f shorts or bran. This Is not case
where III little is good more Is better
will apply. find that cannot pronta-
bly feed more than one quart for every
sixteen hens Neither can | feed
larger amount Of shorts than this, and
find IL profitable. IL il better 10 feed
small daily ration in connection With
grain than to occasionally feed larger
amount in place of grain.
When pOtatOes are low In price, ss
they are ~ present, aud there Is good
flock OF hens 20 feed them 10, or colts
and horses and young growing stock,
good market for par. of the crop may be
profitably found at home. But II must
be remembered that all root crops should
he fed in small quantitles.-Cor. IN
Maine Farmer.