206 FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 



of turnips, in Northumberland and other parts of the North, 

 with this exception, that the rows there are twenty-seven 

 Inches apart. There may be reasons in the North for still 

 prefering that space ; but in Essex the effect of it, in the 

 cultivation of the beetroot, would be, that, instead of forty- 

 eight tons per acre, forty-three tons only would be obtained. 

 Experience has proved, that the roots do not get to a 

 larger size in rows three feet apart, than they do in rows 

 two feet apart. It may, therefore, fairly be presumed., 

 lhatlhey would not be larger in rows twenty-seven inches 

 apart ; and, if not larger, the weight of the crop, per acre, 

 roust be less; because the plants decrease in number as the 

 rows increase in space. 



The advantages that would arise from the cultivation of 

 these roots, upon a small part of every strong-land farm 

 throughout the kingdom, must be obvious Calculations 

 might be given that would astonish, and almost exceed the 

 belief of, most Readers. Such calculations, however, in 

 general, are but little attended to ; and it is thought better 

 to omit them ; hoping that enough has been said upon the 

 subject to fix the attention of every Person interested in 

 the cultivation of land. 



MANURES. A knowledge of the efficacy of different 

 manures, to what soils they are most suitable, and the 

 means of making the most of each, is worthy of the parti- 

 cular attention of the Farmer. Lands are seldom so rich, 

 but it may be a matter of gain to increase their fertility; 

 and few tracts are so poor but, with proper tillage and ma- 

 nuring, they may be made the residence of plenty. 



Manures are composed of all those substances whicii, 

 either directly or indirectly, supply plants with their requi- 

 site food, by means of which they are enabled to expand 

 and come to maturity. 



See FOOD OF PLANTS. 



In the first place, different earths will serve to manure 

 each other. Thus, clay is a fertilizer of a light sandy soil, 

 and sand is equally a fertilizer of clay. Where clay-lands 

 are in grass, the sand should be laid on as a top-dressing; 

 but where they are ploughed, it should be well mixed with 

 the soil, for the purpose of destroying its adhesion. Sand 

 which has been washed down in roads and elsewhere is 

 best. Where clay is applied to a sandy soil, it should be 

 carted on in the Fallj and spread evenly over the ground, 

 that the frost may pulverize it before it is mixed with the 

 soil in the Spring. 



The better these earths are mixed in the respective soils, 

 the more sensible and immediate will be their effects ; but 

 their principal excelence is, that they are calculated perma- 



