TICK CULTIVATION OF FARM CROPS. 539 



horse potato digger, or some hand implement. They ought not to be ex- 



d to the sun for any length of time, but may dry on the surface in a 



cloudy day, or be gathered into small heaps with some of the tops spread 



over them, until freed from the surface moisture, when they may be 



>>d. Those selected for seed should be placed in small piles in the 



1, or in thin layers in a cool, dry place in the cellar where the air is 



luded, and no heating or injury can occur. Such as are intended for 



umption may be put in dry bins or barrels in the store-room, covered 



with straw and dry sand or loose earth to prevent the circulation of air. 



or buried in the field. 



ROOTS. Any man who is thoroughly acquainted with the best systems 

 of growing root crops, and can put his knowledge into effective practice, 

 i tain, under ordinary circumstances, to prove a good and successful 

 farmer. The supply of manure, and, consequently, the continued fertility 

 of the soil depend, to a very large extent, both on the skilful culture of 

 roots, and on their economical consumption. The first thing calcula 

 cure the success of root culture is deep and effective working of 

 BoiL 



Deep ploughing in autumn or early winter, when the soil is tolerably 



dry, and effective spring working, calculated not only to give a deep- 



rum of fine earth on the surface, but to preserve the sap required to- 



uiinate the seeds readily, are essential parts of skilful root cultivation. 



It will be found of much advantage in many cases, to apply the farm- 



i manure required for the crop, in the autumn season, rather than in 



By spring-time it will be well rotted, and can then be properly 



mixed with the soil, in addition to having acted to mechanical ad\ 



>il. 



Wli-'ii tin- ground has heen reduced to a sufficiently fine tilth in spring 

 itvfully cheeked, the next step i^ the preparation of tic- 

 i-l.ed. Sowing mi the Hat is common; and, in some ot' the 



where the soil is light, the system has it-> advantages. 1' 

 if the land is to In- cleaned for A SQCOeedillg giain CIOp, 01 it' a \-r\ heaw 

 1 of roots is \\Mid, there is no mode of managi-im-nt e.pial to bl 



in slightly raised drills, varying from twent 

 inches in width. 



The -'il growing of root crops depend-:, to :\ large extent. .MI th- 



t'ul and liberal us,- of proper manures. The I'-irm.-r dare not appK 



Og fertilisers to his cereal crops ; for in the ..-. 



luxmiance of the -: raw, In- is e.-rtain to diminish rather than increase 

 their n ilue. With root rrop^. part icularly turnips, the ra- 



