102 REPORT ON TURNIPS FOR SEED. 



or two. Let him go over his field about the month of October, 

 and make his selection of swedes, say two or more cart-loads, 

 according to the wants of the farm* Let him then look out a 

 nice corner in some of his fields, either after potatoes, grain, or 

 a lea field. A sprinkling of manure may be necessary on the lea, 

 or after the grain crop. Open up a furrow with the plough, and 

 plant the bulbs about twelve or fifteen inches apart ; make other 

 two furrows with the plough, then another row of turnips, and 

 so on, firming the roots well by trampling and setting the soil 

 properly about them. 



The above plan is the very best for growing stock seed from ; 

 but should seed be wanted on an extensive scale for sale, do as 

 already described for stock seed to begin with ; then about June 

 or July, after the regular crop of turnips is all sown and finished, 

 prepare the ground for the seed turnip in a similar way as for an 

 ordinary crop. Give an easy manuring, say about 20 tons per 

 acre. Make up the drills in the usual way, but about four inches 

 narrower between each ; run the drill harrow over them before 

 sowing, which will allow the turnips a better covering for 

 winter, and raise them less above the natural level of the 

 field. Sow and thin in the usual way, but in thinning leave the 

 plants at least double the thickness you would for full-grown 

 bulbs ; hoe and clean thoroughly, and before winter sets in, be 

 sure and give them a good earthing up to protect them from frost 

 as much as possible, and this operation will also leave a clear 

 furrow for surface water to run off more freely. In early spring 

 let them have a sprinkling of guano, say from two to three cwts. 

 per acre, and run the plough through them, which will greatly 

 refresh them. 



These remarks apply to dry field or light land generally, but 

 in carse or heavy land the drills require to be the usual height, 

 and no earthing up for winter. Such soils are much damper 

 than dry field, and therefore apt to rot if covered, or in too low 

 drills. There is some difference of opinion as to the manner in 

 which the manure ought to be put on the land — some main- 

 taining that if put into the drill in the ordinary w T ay the bulbs 

 will grow too long in autumn, get soft, and perish through the 

 winter. My opinion is, that when the land is in good heart, by 

 all means manure in autumn or winter, and cover in ; but where 

 the ground is poor, put the manure in the drill in the usual way 

 without fear. I may here remark, that I have been connected 

 with the growing and saving of seed for a great many years, 

 and have seen numerous plans tried, but know of none more 

 effective than that here recommended. It is the cleanliest and 

 tidiest way, and will produce the best crop and the truest stock. 



* One ordinary cart-load of turnips will produce about tliree-fourtbs of a 

 Lushul of seed. ( 



