SECRETARY'S REPORT. 109 



described for carrots, also using eight cords of manure to 

 the acre. Sow the seed (from the tenth to the twentieth of 

 May,) in rows thirty inches apart, as soon as possible after 

 the last stirring of the earth in preparation. Seed sown in 

 fresh earth will germinate much sooner than when sown in 

 the sun-dried soil. One inch covering of the seed is better 

 than a deeper covering. Time of sowing and the depth of 

 covering must be regulated by the weather. Seed must not 

 be sown until severe frosts are over. When the temperature 

 of the ground is such as to induce an immediate germination 

 of the seed, plant it, keeping in mind also the fact that the 

 mangold, if sown too early, will incline Jo grow a seed stalk 

 rather than to develop its strength in root. In ordinary sea- 

 sons, the plant will show itself within two weeks from the 

 time of sowing the seed. The soil must be kept free from 

 weeds, and in a condition to drink in the rain and the dew. 

 When the plant shows a strong leaf, thin out the backward 

 plants, leaving the roots six inches apart in the rows. At the 

 second thinning, early in July, if you wish to grow mammoth 

 roots, leave the plants twelve inches apart in the rows. Medium 

 sized roots are equally good, and will mature if left ten 

 inches apart in the rows. Your committee have reason to 

 believe that plucking the leaves of the mangold wurzel before 

 the root reaches maturity, checks its growth. It is possible, but 

 not probable, that nature furnishes a surplus. " A square 

 rod, where the leaves had been so taken, yielded one hundred 

 and seventeen and a half pounds," and the adjoining rod, where 

 the leaves had been left, yielded one hundred and fifty-seven 

 pounds. The one-horse subsoil plough may be run between 

 the rows during the growth of the crop with advantage. The 

 crop should be gathered before frosts come. Your committee 

 would here refer to vol. 1858, p. 210, Report of the Board 

 of Agriculture, where the manner of growing the mangold 

 wurzel in England is fully described. The mangold wurzel is 

 next in value to the sugar beet for feeding purposes. 



Sivedish Turnips. — The ruta-baga. A sandy or gravelly 

 loam is to be preferred for this root. The soil should be in 

 good condition, and manuiied six cords to the acre. If the 

 land has been previously thoroughly cultivated, one ploughing 



