TURNIPS AS FOOD FOR STOCK. 181 



617. Manures rich in nitrogen and comparatively poor 

 in phosphates, promote the growth of the leaf rather than 

 of the bulb, and their injudicious use will produce an 

 inferior crop. When the soil is not very rich and soft in 

 itself, a heavy dressing of farmyard manure may safely 

 be ploughed in, and home made super-phosphate or bone 

 dust, mixed with guano, may be applied near the surface 

 or in the drill. 



618. The common round or flat turnip is usually sown 

 broadcast and harrowed in, but the Swede or ruta-baga is 

 sown in drills about two and a quarter feet apart, with 

 the seed sower. Neither should be planted in ridges or 

 raised drills, except on very thin soils, as the benefit to 

 the land of a deep-rooted crop is less marked, than if 

 the ground is kept level. 



619. From two to three pounds of seed are allowed per 

 acre. This quantity will give more plants than can be 

 grown to advantage, and they should be thinned out so 

 that there may be a proper distance between them during 

 the summer. 



620. The horse-hoe may be used between the drills 

 when the first rough leaves have appeared. This is 

 followed by the hand-hoe to clear out the weeds and stir 

 the soil around the plants. Subsequent hoeings will be 

 necessary to prevent the growth of weeds. 



621. Turnips may remain in the ground till the hard 

 frosts begin, without injury. They should then be taken 

 up and stored in suitable root cellars or in pits on the 

 field, where they may remain till wanted for use. 



622. As has been said, turnips are a valuable article of 

 food for sheep and all kinds of store cattle. An animal 

 can easily be fattened on turnips and hay. They should 

 be cut with the shovel or the turnip-slicer before being 



