On the improved beet root, as winter food for cattle

by Pinder Simpson

The improved Beet has other material advantages over turnips. The crop is more certain, as the infant root is not injured by the fly; the ground may be cleared in time to sow wheat upon it, and the Beet attaining perfection, as it does, before the winter sets in, much labour and all the difficulty of getting and carting turnips in bad weather are saved to the farmer.

A bushel of the sliced Beet weighs 6 pounds heavier than a bushel of Swede turnip sliced. Two bushels of it per day satisfies a bullock better than 2 bushels and a half of Swedes; and it is well known, that 2 bushels and a half of Swedes are better than 3 bushels of common turnips. Sheep are fond of the improved Beet after Christmas; so are pigs, young cattle, and cows; and, with hay or straw, it will be found excellent food for young horses. For milch cows, the Beets have a decided advantage over turnips. Turnips, from their rankness, spoil the cream and butter; Beet, from its peculiar sweetness, improves both.

It is strongly recommended to the farmers near London to cultivate this root, and to the cowkeepers in London to consume it: to them it will be found of great value.

Since the above was written, the Author has been favoured with the following information, from a Friend, who left his crop in the ground till spring.

“My Beet in the Old Yard has stood the late severe frost better than any common turnips, and perhaps equally well with the Swedes, very few indeed being injured. Some of them were covered with snow, but others were exposed. They were rather small, having been planted so late as June.” I. K.

“Feb. 23, 1814.”

CHAP. IV.

For the information and guidance of those occupiers of land, who may be desirous of cultivating the improved Beet Root upon strong land, the next Chapter will contain a particular account of the method used in cultivating that root upon strong land at Bedfords. The method there stated, is that which has been found, on three years’ trial, to be least expensive in the beginning, and most profitable in the end.—The cultivation of this root is earnestly recommended to the attention of all persons farming strong lands with a view to profit. It should never be forgotten, that 48 tons, the produce of only a single acre, of this root, will make 10 bullocks fat enough for the butcher; and that 6 acres, of equal produce, will fatten 60 bullocks; that the profit on each bullock will be considerable; and that when the business of feeding is over, the yard will be full of rich dung: neither should it be forgotten, that the tenant who sells his straw, cannot partake of any of these advantages.

In proof of this assertion, the following facts are submitted for consideration:

Mr. Heaton bought two lean Welch bullocks, at Harlow Bush Fair, on the 9th of September. They cost together £34. They were pastured on the Rowens till the 20th of November following, when they were tied up, and fed with Beet Root and oat straw till the 9th of February following, when they were sold together, in Romford market, for the sum of £50; yielding in twenty-two weeks, a profit of £16, which is equal to 7s. 3d. per week, for each bullock.