298 BOAED OF AGRICULTURE. 



growth of young animals is secured by the use of roots than 

 grain. 



The culture can be conducted in connection with the other 

 operations of the farm so as to give regular employment to 

 the whole force, and rarely to interfere with more important 

 abors. 



The produce from a given quantity of land is very large 



n comparison with most other crops, so that if we desire to 



carry the largest stock possible we must cultivate a share of 



roots. When properly managed the cost of culture does not 



exceed that of other kinds of cattle food. 



These projwsitions which we have announced we believe will 

 bear the test of examination and are sustained by the testi- 

 mony of all those farmers who have given root culture a fair 

 trial. They require that upon a well managed farm tiie cul- 

 ture of roots sliould receive its due attention. 



Soil. — Any good soil will answer, either light or heavy, but 

 as the amount of labor required is large, this will yield a 

 better return when applied to a soil naturally productive. A 

 light soil is more easily cultivated and the culture can be giv- 

 en when a tenacious soil would be too wet to work. A light 

 sandy soil does not answer well for beets, but often yields 

 good crops of turnips. By selecting the proper kind every 

 farm may enjoy the benefits of a good crop of roots. 



Preparation of the Soil should be deep and thorough. A 

 well cultivated crop of corn or potatoes is a good preparation 

 for roots. By all means so manage the field designed for 

 roots that it sliall not be full of foul seeds to choke the young 

 plants and increase the labor of cultivation. 



I Rave known a rich, old turf, inverted just before planting, 

 to be used most successfully. In this case well rotted ma- 

 nure should be thoroughly harrowed in and mixed with the 

 soil after plowing. Use fermented manure or compost for 

 carrots, beets or mangolds, finely pulverized, whetlier plowed 

 under or harrowed in on the surface. Repeated plowings 

 and harrowings, to secure its perfect admixture with the soil, 

 are of the first importance. Ashes or superphosphate may 

 be harrowed in and plaster sown on the young plants, espec- 



