AGRICULTURAL TEXT-BOOK. 203 



auch as arc used for potatoes may be made in the field. On 

 feeding, the bulbs should be cut up. This may bo done with 

 a common shovel, but there are various machines for the pur 

 pose, which save much labor. 



449. Fattening cattle, averaging 900 Ibs. live weight, will 

 eat 150 Ibs. of common turnips daily, with 7 Ibs. of oat straw. 



450. In Europe, mnny diseases, such as Fingers and toes, Black crackt, 

 Ac. seriously injure this crop. In the United States it appears to be free 

 from any geneial malady. 



451. There are several insects which are more or less injurious in this 

 country. The worst is the Black Flea-beetle ( Haltica pubcscens. Ill ?) 

 if we do not have the true Turnip fly of Europe (H. nemorum); but 

 little is yet known of this family. On a small scale, it may be driven 

 of? by scattering over the plants finely powdered plaster, or boiled plas 

 ter mixed with spirits of turpentine, and dried ; but the best preventa- 

 live is rapidly forcing the plant into the rough leaf. This insect is pecu 

 liarly fond of White Mustard, which may be sown in the neighborhood. 

 In Massachusetts, the caterpillar of a white butterfly (Pontia oleracea) 

 devours turnip leaves. The lulus also bores into the roots, and even the 

 common Earth-worm appears, in some way, to penetrate them. 



452. If seed is required, the best roots should be selected in 

 spring, set out about 2 feet apart, in good land, and hoed while 

 growing. If any particular variety is required it must be kept 

 far apart from any other. 



453. The seeds of turnips contain much oil. The following 

 production of seed and oil is given by Boussingault. 



Swedish Turnip. Rape. Kohl Rabi. 



I5cwt.lqr.251bs. IGcwt. 2qrs. 181bs. 13cwt.3qrs.l91U. 



595 - 81bs 64l - 61b8 565.4 Ibs. 



Oil obtained 



per cent. 

 Cake pr. cent. 62 62 61 



454. KOHL RABI, Turnip stemmed Cabbage, is chiefly culti 

 vated in Germany, where it is eaten both by man and animals. 

 It is perfectly hardy on the Detroit river, is subject to few casu- 

 alities, and is little affected by frost. It may be grown in thd 



