1 32 Cultivation of Arable Land. Turnips Seafons of f owing of. 



be requifite in different cafes, as much mud depend on the nature of the foil, 

 the period of fowing, and the methods and c i re um (lances under which it is put 

 into the ground. In Norfolk, where this fort of huibandry is carried to a con- 

 iiderable extent in the broadcaft method, it is generally from about one pound 

 to a pound and a half; while on the fandy lands in Suffolk, and thofe of the 

 lighter kind in Yorkmire, a pound or pint is found to be fufficient. But on the 

 turnip foils in Middlefex nearly two pounds are employed. It is always, howe 

 ver, a good practice in fowing turnips not to be too fparing in the ufe of feed, 

 as the unneceflary plants may be eafily thinned out at the time of firft hoeing 

 over the crop. The calcareous or chalky foils, in general, require the largeft pro 

 portions of feed. 



But in cultivating the root in the drill method, as the feed is delivered with 

 more co rrectnefs, and the whole of the ground is not to be occupied by plants, 

 fome faving may be made in the quantity of feed made ufe of. 



As much of the fuccefs of turnip crops is found from experience to depend on 

 the quick vegetation of the feed, and the plants pufhing expeditioufly into broad 

 leaf, it may be a practice of great utility in thefe views to have the feed fteeped 

 a few hours in water or fome other liquid, before it is committed to the foil. When 

 the feafon is dry, this will be particularly neceflary. In the trials we have made 

 in the garden practice, the fteeped feed has conflantly fucceeded j while that which 

 has been fown without immerfion has frequently failed. 



Time and Methods of Sowing. The periods of putting crops of this nature into 

 the ground muft be principally regulated by the intentions of the cultivator in 

 regard to the difpofal of the produce. For the general more early confu mptiori 

 of the root, the moft proper feafon for performing this operation may be about 

 the beginning of June j but when it is intended that the crop fhould fcrve as food 

 for animals in the early fpring months, it is a better practice to delay the fowing 

 till towards the end of it or beginning of July. When the root is, however, cul 

 tivated upon an extenfive fcale, it may be advantageous to vary die times of putting 

 the feed into the ground more confiderably ; as by fuch means the plants not only- 

 come more infucceflion to the hoe, but like wife for the purpofes of confumption.* 



In fome diftricts, as thofe where the practice of lamb-fuckling is carried on, 

 very early crops are occafionally required ; in which cafes the feed is generally put 

 into the ground as early as poflible in the month of May ; fuch land as is in a fine 

 ftate of tilth, and perfectly clean from weeds, being chofen for the purpofe. 



* Modern Agriculture, vol. II. and Corrected Agricultural Report of the North Riding of York-* 



