OF AGRICULTURE. 141 



touching the top of the bank, make a shelter of 

 clap- boards, which may be confined down by billets 

 of wood. 



TURNIP CROP. 



The cultivation of the turnip as an esculent, both 

 for animals and man, is of great antiquity, and it is 

 too much neglected at the South. 



Selection and Preparation of the Soil. Turnips 

 delight in a loose soil, on new land, in which they 

 are raised to the greatest perfection, and the least 

 risk. It has been proved by long experience, in this 

 country, that old sod, well rotted, or newly cleared 

 land recently burnt over, produces the largest and 

 best flavored roots. These four points should be 

 carefully attended to in the cultivation of turnips : 

 First To have the ground in a finely pluverized 

 state. Second To force forward the young plants 

 into the rough leaf, in order to secure them from the 

 attack of the fly. This is best effected by sowing 

 guano, superphosphate of lime or other stimulating 

 manure with the seed. Third To have the ground 

 clean and free from weeds before the seed are sown, 

 and watching the growth of weeds afterward, and 

 cutting them off before they choke the crop. 

 Fourth If sown in drills, to keep the ground con- 

 stantly loose and open about the plants by stirring it 

 between them in dry weather. 



Choice of Seed. New seed should always be sown 

 in preference to old. 



Quantity of Seed. The quantity of seed varies 

 According to the condition of the soil and kind 

 employed. Say from one to four pounds to the acre. 



Uses. Food for man and beast. 



