26 



ON SOWING EARLY IN NORTHERN DISTRICTS ; AND 

 IN MOIST WEATHER, 



(From upland-ground, Ayrshire.) I consider that the proper method 

 of prevention consists in bringing the young plants quickly on to 

 development of the rough leaves, and, as a measure to this, that there 

 is nothing like early sowing. I have never seen the early sowing fail 

 to produce a crop on such amount of land as I have annually to do 

 with on an upland farm in Ayrshire, where we have been in the habit 

 for many years of sowing our Swedes and Turnips of all kinds in the 

 latter end of April or beginning of May, and (in consequence) we have 

 never been troubled with the " flea," although this year, for instance 

 our neighbours all round about who sow later on have had to resow 

 two or three times. I estimate the crop at above thirty tons per acre. 

 This early sowing gives the plant time to develop its rough leaves 

 before the beetles appear in sufficient numbers to do harm, and the 

 Turnips yield all the better crop from the longer time they occupy the 

 ground. I am aware, of course, that early sowing would not suit 

 southern districts, where again early-sown Turnips tend to run to 

 seed, especially the softer varieties ; but, if good seed is used, there is 

 no danger on this score. We ourselves have never been troubled with 

 an undue quantity of "shot " Turnips. P. M'C.) 



Ballinacourte, Tipperary. Sowing early, where practicable, and 

 in such weather as would force the plant quickest into the rough leaf, 

 that is immediately before or after rain, and the use at all times of 

 plenty of seed, has been found successful. (D. S. S.) 



I am very particular never to let horses go on the land in spring 

 when it is wet, and always like to let the land lay still for ten days 

 before sowing ; we run a skim through and drill when the land is quite 

 dry at the top, using a good dressing of artificial manures and bones. 

 I have noticed people drilling Turnips when the land was wet, and 

 generally found that they suffered from the fly, unless the weather was 

 showery for a week or so after. I have always thought the best pre- 

 ventive against the ravages of the fly is not to sow till you have a good 

 season, nor before about the last week in May, and use a good dressing 

 of phosphates, &c. (E. R.) 



I have never seen the fly so ravenous in either very early or very 

 late sowings as in the medium, say from the middle to the end of May. 

 -(L. P. 0.) 



