.542 THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPAEDIA. 



which is from loth of June to loth July in this country. The field hav- 

 ing been thoroughly mellowed by grubbing, harrowing, and rolling more 

 than twice if necessary, the surface is finally left smooth from the roller. 

 Now by hand, or special broadcast machine, give 150 Ibs. mineral super- 

 phosphate, 150 Ibs. gypsum, 200 Ibs. find ground bone dust, and 300 Ibs. 

 >alt, previously mixed. Drill immediately at 27 or 28 inches, and keep 

 the seeding close to the drilling all the time. Four pounds of seed per acre 

 i< better than two, under almost any circumstances, never grudge the 

 seed, because much allowance has to be made for poor germination, 

 drought, and insect enemies, and besides close neighbourhood gives 

 an earlier start if a more tender plant, which early thining helps to remedy. 

 Horse-hoe early twice if necessary before thinning, and thin before much 

 bunching takes place. Nine inches from plant to plant is a good average 

 In this operation the hand hoe removes all weeds left by the other. Allow 

 the plants to rise from their generally recumbent position ere allowing 

 any more cultivation, but as in moist weather much of the dirt is left a foot 

 between drills, send the horse-hoe over again soon. A second hand-hoeing 

 to remove " doubles," and new weeds in drills, with a final horse-hoeing 

 before leaves meet, should complete Swede turnip cultivation. 



Leave the crop as late into autumn as possible with the view to secur- 

 ing all the weight per acre bulbs swell best during cool evenings and 

 warm days. Ten degrees of frost will do no harm. In harvesting, top 

 with a sharp hoe, pull up in dry weather with the hand, or a heavy wooden 

 harrow having few teeth, and haul to pit or cellar at once. Some prefer 

 leaving the top root on the bulb as having mostly some earth attached 

 is better for long-housed cattle and sheep contending that the greater 

 liability to heat and rot is overborne by the extra health of stock. Pit- 

 ting in the field is better, when properly done, than a poor cellar. 



MANGEL WURZEL. 



The mangel crop is grown, to a greater or less extent, on every variety 

 of soil ; but those best adapted to its successful cultivation are deep ad- 

 hesive loams. Hot and dry summers are favourable to its success as a 

 field crop. On all adhesive soils autumn cultivation is of the utmost im- 

 portance. 



During the early autumn, and whilst the land is still dry, a heavy dress- 

 ing of farmyard manure should be applied, and ploughed under deep. The 

 spring preparation for seeding is similar to that for turnips, and the 

 special manures cannot be less, and should give at least 400 Ibs. salt per 



