SECRETARY'S REPORT. 47 



turnips ten to eleven per cent. ; English turnips nine to nine and 

 one-half per cent. 



Mr. Goodale further remarked, that although he proposed this 

 topic for consideration, he did bj no means maintain that the 

 extensive culture of the turnip would accomplish for us what it 

 had done for England. We were differently situated. Our climate 

 was very unlike theirs. In England many roots were left in the 

 £eld for consumption where they grew, and when harvested, a com- 

 paratively slight protection would suffice to protect them from the 

 frosts of winter — here all must be secured in root cellars ; and yet 

 he believed that the culture of roots promised well enough with us 

 to warrant its increase a hundred fold. In the state at large they 

 had been sadly neglected — totally neglected, (if we except the pota- 

 to, by a majority of farmers,) as afield crop. 



When we grow as many acres as we now do rods, we may approx- 

 imate the right proportion. The value of roots is not comprised in 

 a single item. Their cultivation is the best preparation of soil for 

 other crops They yield a very large amount of nutritive matter. 

 By their help we can sustain more cattle and sheep, and can also 

 give them such a variety of food as will cause them to thrive better 

 than when confined to dry fodder, however good it be. 



The stock thus fed will in turn so increase the supply of manure 

 that we can grow heavy crops of grain and not be dependent upon 

 other states for bread stuffi. 



Perhaps no single crop will ever be to us just what the turnip is 

 to England, but I am not sure that roots and Indian corn together 

 may not. My estimate of Indian corn is very high. I think it 

 well entitled to be called, as it has been, " meal, meadow and ma- 

 nure," and sometimes am inclined to look upon the extent and style 

 of its culture, at least in the southern half of the state, as a tair 

 index to the condition of agriculture among us. 



As to the root to be preferred, he would not decide dogmatically, 

 nor confine himself to one, to the exclusion of others, each farmer 

 should decide according to his soil and other circumstances. Each 

 root has its advantages and disadvantages. The mangold would 

 thrive in a heavier soil than suited the carrot or turnip. The pars- 

 nip could remain in the ground all winter. The turnip was liable 

 to tbe fly and the carrot to rust The turnip was best in early 



