On the Cultivation ofRuta Baga. 291 



particular extensive districts and soils, (as those of Nor- 

 folk for instance) than to the improved culture of tur- 

 nips, generally and especially that of the Ruta baga. 



We have not yet those extensive flocks of sheep which 

 require to be wintered in this way, besides which, I doubt 

 whether our climate would admit of it; the more usual 

 modern mode is to haul all the turnips, and feed them with 

 straw in the barn yard. As the amount of the crop is to 

 be ascertained early in the winter, if it is more than will 

 feed the existing stock, store cattle are purchased, either 

 lean or half fed, the last of which are fully fattened by the 

 turnips and straw, and the first so far improved, that in 

 the spring the one is sold to the butcher, and the other 

 soon finished on the early pastures, while altogether a 

 vast quantity of straw is converted to manure. 



I have never been able to go farther in my small way 

 of farming, than to feed my own stock, to give them the 

 advantages of green food, and to save my fodder or hay 

 till the spring. I have accordingly given my turnips in 

 conjunction with straw, corn blades, or hay, to all my 

 cattle, and in this way I have fattened some to kill, and 

 fed the milch cows, and kept the stock altogether in ex- 

 cellent order, without any meal or corn, and with a far 

 less quantity of hay than I should otherwise have used. 

 The quantity I use in feeding, is for the fattening cattle of 

 about 5 cvvt., to begin with half a bushel at morning, 

 noon, and evening, that is, one bushel and a half per 

 day, increasing, when they feed heartily, to two or 

 two and a half bushels, with cut straw or fodder 

 morning and evening, and hay at night, the cattle being 

 always kept in the stall, and watered, and well supplied 

 with litter, and cleaned. To the milch cows I give a 

 peck at each feed, once, twice, or in bad weather, when 

 they do not leave the stalls, three times a day with straw 

 fodder or hay, though in good weather, they walk thf^ 



