28 ON THE AGEICULTURE OF THE 



of storing turnips observed. The old-fashioned plan of putting 

 in longitudinal heaps and thatching with straw has in many in- 

 stances been superseded by what we think is a better method — 

 that of storing in square heaps, having a uniform depth of three 

 feet These heaps are finally covered with straw, and the bulbs 

 keep admirably, the rain running through without doing any 

 harm. Another plan is to cart the roots to a piece of clean lea, 

 and set them closely together upon the turf, the tops serving for 

 a protection. Where it is intended to consume the crop by sheep 

 upon the land during spring-time, turnips are sometimes put in 

 heaps as most convenient, and covered with straw and earth ; or 

 four rows are thrown into a drill, and a deep furrow drawn up 

 each side, the soil being laid close to the roots. In consuming 

 the turnip crop, the farmer has to consider two points — ^the 

 making of the straw at home into manure, and the enriching of 

 the land for the future wheat or barley crop. In order to pro- 

 vide for both these important matters, four drills are usually 

 drawn off to consume with the straw in the cattle folds, the re- 

 maining four being eaten upon the land by sheep. This practice 

 leaves the soil in high manurial condition, especially if a little 

 cake has been allowed with the turnips. Some farmers let theu' 

 roots for consumption, the rate per week for aged sheep being 

 6d. less or more, according to supply and demand. One penny 

 per day is reckoned a very good price : if the crop is hea^y, it 

 ensures a remunerative return. When let for cattle, the general 

 rate is 4s. or 5s. per week, or about L.8 to L.9 per acre. Should 

 the purchaser desire to consume cake along with the turnips, of 

 course the farmer gets the benefit in the improved manure ; for this 

 cake he gives an equivalent in money at the rate of L.2 to L. 3 per 

 ton. The city dairymen buy a considerable quantity of turnips 

 from the farmers near Edinburgh, for which they pay heavy prices. 

 Potatoes. — In each of the counties under consideration the 

 potato crop covers about half the extent that is allotted to tur- 

 nips, so that the apportionment of the green crop, with trifiing 

 exceptions, is one-third potatoes, two-thirds turnips. Edinburgh 

 stands in the eleventh position as regards other counties, while 

 Linlithgow, owing to its limited area, holds an inferior position. 

 The breadth was in — 



The extent of land under potatoes remains much the same 

 as it was twenty years ago. The soil and climate are generally 

 favourable to the growth of this esculent, and a good yield 



