The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-11-29
%CUlTUREAND STORAGE
OF ROOT CROPS
BY T.. j.

by T.. ). NICIiE.
foWln OF root crops deserves
more attention by farmers who do not
nave slios in which to store s~ucculent
iced for Their stock.
tloots Of various kinds have ALWAYS
oeeh held in high esteem BY armers
ana stockmen. In England and other
european countries. they are gener-
aIE raised for feeding to all classes
o. livestock. where. owing 10 the cooL
summers. corn does not do well. Roots
are depended Upon to supply succu-
lent feed for the winter months. To
quite an extent the same * true Of
Canada.
very doubtful if he MONA grow roots
TO any great extent. but it may pay
70 raise roots to lessen the expense
or buying commercial feed stuns.
one pound OF dry matter in man
gels has been found to be equivalent
IN feedlns value to one pound of dry
matter n mill feeds. and a little more
than one pound OF dry matter in corr
sdlage. Tests have shown hat man
gels may profitably replace one-half
Of the grain ration under conditions
where the roots can be produced fol-
81 per ton. In those experime nts the
roots We're fed 70 dairy animals. In
many sections, the silo has not yet
come into general use. On such farms
root crops are OF doubl value. for
they may be used to supply s~ucculence
as We'll as feeding value. In fact
where winter dairyjng is practiceC
they become almost Indispensable for
best results.
Aside from the value for feedine
purposes. there are other good rea-
sons for raising root crops. With gooG
care and preparation of the soil
large o of feeding material car
be grown upon an acre. Twenty tons
per acre is not An uncOmmonly large
yield, under good conditions Of sol
and weather; yields Of over twice tina
amount ave been reported. TO Suci
enormous yields it IS necessary 10 nav,
a rich soil.
Another advantage is that grain
crops OF all kinds do we'll after roots
for the latter not only necessitat
clean cultivation, but open up the sol
by means OF their long roots Cult
waited crops should come regularly i
the rotation, and roots should be IN
Guided in the list of such crops on al
stock farms.
Root crops are valuable for stoc
feeding, both for their content Of di
2eStible nutriments and in supplyln
@succulent feed for the winter month:
!, This is true in all parts of the coun
try, but more especially in the State
where winters are long and severe.
+ Under good conditions a laTe
e amount of feed per acre can be grow
from roots. and for this reason the
are useful on small farms where tn
amount Of land under cultivation
small.
u Roots do best on loan soils, BIZ
may be grown successfully on eithe
light or heavy soil, providing tn
: ground is properly fortified and pre-
pared. Thorough preparation Of tn
n soil and an abundant supply OF avail
2 able plant food are necessary 10
I good returns.
: Mangels give the heaviest yield pc
!, acre. with r~utabagas and turnips
l close second. and carrots third. TuS
nips and ~rutabagas do not keep s
; well as some other roots. They shout
!. be fed in the fall and early Winte
: in the order named. AanseE an
! carrots keep well over winter Whe
, properly stored.
Roots may be planted in rows l
t TO "a inches apar when cultivate
a with hand machines, but at no les
, than 80 inches when q horse cultivate
; is to be used. seed should be use
literally in order 20 insure a goo
i, stand. Thinning should be attende
to promptly. leaving single plant
| from 8 to Il inches apart, dependin
=, on distance between rows and kin
/, OF roots grown.
, Thorough, yet shallow cultivatio
: should be practiced throughout tn
growing season. Rldglng at p!antln
; time is helpful on wet or neaVE so L
Root crops will stand light frostl
but they should pc harvested befor
heavy freezes. This applies especial
2 to
: Roots may be stored in a pit, cellar
$ or root house. Roots can probaol
r be grown for less than 81 per TO
: under good conditions. The cost
t production per acre Is approximate
$35 per acre.