The Carrot bears a close resemblance to the parsnip, from which, however, it differs, containing no starch, and being somewhat inferior in nutritive value. According to Voelcker, its average composition is as follows:—
| Water | 88·50 |
| Flesh-formers | 0·60 |
| Fat-formers (including woody fibre) | 10·18 |
| Mineral matter (ash) | 0·72 |
| ——— | |
| 100·00 |
As carrots contain a high proportion of fat-forming matters, and a low per-centage of flesh-forming substances, they are better adapted for fattening purposes. Dairy stock greedily eat them; and they are given with great advantage to horses out of condition.
Kohl-Rabi.—This plant, though early introduced into the agriculture of these countries, has made but little progress in the estimation of the farmer. It belongs to the order and genus which include the turnip, but differs widely from that plant in its mode of growth. Its bulb—which is formed by an enormous development of the overground stem—is, according to some authorities, less liable than the turnip to injury from frost. It is subject to no diseases, save anbury and clubbing; and, owing to its position above the soil, it can be readily eaten off by sheep. The bulbs store better than Swedes, and, according to some farmers, keep even better than mangels. With respect to the flavor of this bulb, there is some difference of opinion. Professor Wilson, of Edinburgh, quotes several eminent feeders to prove that "whether in the fold for sheep, in the yard for cattle, or in the stables for horses, it will generally be preferred to the other descriptions of homegrown keep." Mr. Baldwin, on the contrary, states that although good food for sheep, it is too hard-fleshed for old ewes, and that carrots are better food for horses, and Swedish turnips for cattle.
An accurately conducted comparative trial to test the nutritive value of the Kohl-rabi, was conducted at the Glasnevin Model Farm, under the direction of Mr. Baldwin. The experiment was commenced in January, 1863. Four oxen were selected, and divided into two lots. Nos. 1 and 2 (Lot 1) were fed on Kohl-rabi, oil-cake, and hay, and Nos. 3 and 4 (Lot 2) on Swedish turnips, oil-cake, and hay. As the animals supplied with the Kohl-rabi did not appear to relish it, and as it was desirable to gradually accustom them to the change of food, the experiment did not really commence till the 12th January. On that date the weights of the animals were as follows:—
| cwt. | st. | cwt. | st. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1. { | No. 1. | 10 | 1 | Lot 2. { | No. 3. | 7 | 5 |
| No. 2. | 7 | 4 | No. 4. | 10 | 2 | ||
| ——— | ——— | ||||||
| 17 | 5 | 17 | 7 | ||||
The lots, therefore, counterpoised each other pretty fairly. From the 12th to the 28th January they received the following quantities of food per diem:—
| 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roots | stones | 7½ | 6 | 6 | 7½ |
| Oil cake | pounds | 4½ | 3 | 3 | 4½ |
| Hay | pounds | 10½ | 10½ | 10½ | 10½ |
The animals fed upon the Kohl-rabi evinced from the first a disinclination to it, but they nevertheless ate it before their meal of oil-cake was supplied to them. On the morning of the 28th January they were put upon the dietary shown in the table, and which induced them to eat the Kohl-rabi more quickly.
| 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 6.30 a.m. | { | Roots, Stones | 3 | 2½ | 2½ | 3½2 |
| Cake, lbs. | 1½ | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| At 12.30 a.m. | { | Roots, Stones | 3 | 2½ | 2½ | 3½ |
| Cake, lbs. | 1½ | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| At 6.30 p.m. | { | Roots, Stones | 3 | 2½ | 2½ | 3½ |
| Cake, lbs. | 1½ | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| At 9.30 p.m. | Hay, lbs. | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | |