106 ■ BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



But wliilst a variety of kinds of root should be cultivated, it 

 is little to be questioned, that in a dry climate like ours, the 

 carrot sliould occupy the most prominent place, it being pecu- 

 liarly calculated to withstand the effects of the sharpest drought. 

 It is also a very productive crop when well cultivated. Its supe- 

 rior value as food for animals, and especially for liorses, emi- 

 nently entitles it to this position." 



A]i esteemed correspondent, in Somerset county, writes as 

 follows : 



'' Rutabagas and carrots arc now cultivated, to some extent, 

 by nearly every farmer in these parts — from one-eighth to one 

 acre to a farm. The amount raised has been constantly on the 

 increase, and becoming more general for some five years. The 

 seed is put in with a secdsower, and as there is but one in this 

 immediate neighborhood, I have had a good chance to know 

 the progress made in this branch of agriculture. I should think 

 it would be a fair estimate to set the gi^ound sowed to turnip 

 and carrots, this year, by this one machine, at one hundred 

 acres. A man will sow one-quarter of an acre in from one to 

 two hours. Beets are sowed less now than five years ago. 

 They are not as sure to come and not so handy to use as the carrot, 

 which may account for their disuse. The yield of carrots will 

 be found to vary from three to eight hundred bu.shels per acre, 

 and turnips from five to twelve hundred bushels ; more, and less 

 tlian this yield, of course, sometimes, in extreme cases. The 

 carrot requires old, mellow and rich ground, made fine and deep 

 by ploughing and working well with plenty of fine manure, as 

 good as that used for corn in the hill. If the manure is scanty 

 it should be put into the drill, two furrows turned on and raked 

 smooth, then run the sower twice, about ten inches apart. 



Turnips prosper best on sward ground; indeed, they are 

 usually ruined by the worms if put on old ground, such as is 

 fit for carrots. In this respect the farmer can raise turnips bet- 

 ter than carrots, as he can prepare worn out mowing for a crop 

 of grain and grass seed the next year as well with turnips as 

 with corn, and thus be restoring the general condition of his 

 farm. Carrots require most labor in hoeing, and unless sowed 



