39* FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 



seed, the advantage will also be obtained that is common 

 to all change of seeds. 



See CHANGE OF SEEDS. 



Three pounds of seed to the acre is amply sufficient, for 

 either sort of turnips. It is advisable to give this allowance, 

 in order that if part of the seeds should fail of vegetating, 

 or some of the plants be eaten by insects, there will still 

 be as many left growing as will be wanted. Where consid- 

 erable fields of turnips are grown, however, there is but lit- 

 tle to be feared from insects , for, though they might be 

 sufficiently numerous, when collected on a small patch of 

 turnips, to destroy it ; still, when they have several acres to 

 feed upon, their ravages would not so essentially injure the 

 plants, but that enough will remain fit for cultivating. 



Where land is naturally rich, or where it has been well 

 manured for a previous crop, turnips may be successfully 

 grown, without manuring them in the drills. A much less 

 quantity of manure, however, will answer when applied in 

 this latter way, than when mixed in the ground ; but, if this 

 method be taken, let the barn-dung be carted out in the 

 Spring and mixed in the ground for a crop of potatoes, or 

 Indian corn. 



Where land has been previously prepared in the best 

 manner for flax (see FLAX) that crop may be first taken ; 

 and, if pulled while green, and the ground immediately 

 cleared of the crop, there will be time sufficient for a crop 

 of turnips of the common sort, especially in our more south- 

 erly climates; and in such the ground might be cleared of 

 this crop in time to sow it with Winter-wheat. 



In raising seed for ruta-baga, we should advise to select 

 a spot for the purpose, sufficiently remote from any place 

 where the seeds of the common turnip or of cabbages are 

 raised : Manure the ground well ; mellow it with the 

 plough ; then set out good thrifty large roots, taken from 

 ground where they remained during the preceding Winter; 

 let them stand in rows at suitable distances each way, and 

 keep the ground clear of weeds while the plants are grow- 

 ing the seed. 



If the stems bearing it are unable to sustain the weight, 

 let them be supported, on each side of the rows, by poles 

 laid on crotched stakes drove into the ground. When the 

 seed-crop has fully ripened, it is to be cut, dried, threshed 

 out, &c. the manner of doing which requires no minute de- 

 scription. A similar method is also to be observed for rais- 

 ing seeds for the common turnip. 



\Ve have dwelt thus at length on this article, as well oft 

 account of the proper mode of cultivating turnips not being 

 generally understood in this Country, as from a conviction 



