AGRICULTURAL TEXT-BOOK. 



pressed down. A good thatch is laid over the centre. In our 

 Northern States, the most economical plan, when this crop is to 

 bo regularly cultivated, would probably be the preparation of 

 root houses, or cellars under barns on hill sides. 



526. The crop varies very much according to soil, manure, 

 and cultivation. In France, the average maximum is about 278 

 cwts. per acre; the minimum 67 cwte. per acre. Boussingault 

 gives, for the same country : 



Tons. Cwts. Qrs. Ibs. 



Pas cle Calais, - 12 9 1 19 



Department of the North, - 12 1U 2 25 

 Department of Cher, - 15 1 39 



or an average for the whole country of 10 tons, 9 cwt, 1 qur. 

 13 Ibs. per acre. In England as high as 39 tons, 13 cwts. per 

 acre have been procured, by not applying manure directly to the 

 crop ; but 20 tons are considered a good average on soils yield 

 ing 5 quarters (46 American bushels,) of wheat to the acre. 

 Wiggins gives the yield, in Delaware, of the Silician Sugar 

 Beet at 800 bushels per acre, but a premium crop was grown 

 in Monroe County, New York, of 1,489 bushels per acre, of 50 

 Ibs. per bushel (~37J American or 33 English Tons,) at a to 

 tal cost, including manure, of about $22,00. (Trans, of N. Y. 

 Agricul. Soc y. vol viii. p. 328. 



527. Cattle are readily fattened on this root. Late experi 

 ments in Scotland have proved Mangolds to be as profitable for 

 this purpose as any other food that can be given. Steers weigh 

 ing 935 Ibs. live weight, consumed 120 Ibs. of Mangolds per 

 day, divided into three feeds, and 7 Ibs. of straw besides. In 

 100 days each animal gained 161 Ibs. (Trans, of High, and 

 Agricul. Socy. of Scotland 1&53.) 



528. Manures act very variably upon this root. Ammoniacal 

 manures increase the size and yield, but injure the sugar, while 

 organic manures add to the sugar, but the crop is smaller. Gu- 

 ario is beneficial if the roots are intended for feed. Common 

 salt is specifically beneficial, and should be applied in moderate 



