ROOT CROPS. 321 



tion ; and, as early as possible in the spring, the land should be 

 rolled and the harrow (preferably Shares' harrow) should be run 

 lengthwise of the furrow, at least once, and, if necessary, two or 

 three times. The ground should then be cross-plowed, and again 

 rolled and harrowed. After this, it should receive a copious top- 

 dressing of stable manure, or not less than five hutidred pounds 

 per acre of a thoroughly good superphosphate of lime or of 

 Peruvian guano ; — and this manure, whatever its kind, should be 

 only lightly harrowed by a single operation, and then left undis- 

 turbed until after a heavy rain, when a second harrowing and 

 rolling will prepare the ground for the reception of the seed. 



The operations detailed above will have the effect of loosening 

 the soil to a great depth, of giving it a good supply of organic 

 matter, and of thoroughly enriching it with the different elements 

 of plant food that the coming crop will require ; while its surface 

 will be so freed from clods and other inequalities as to place it in 

 the best condition for the rapid germination of the delicate seeds 

 with which it is to be sown. Except as to the character of the 

 special commercial fertilizer to be applied, the operations, as far 

 as detailed, are suited to the growth of rutabagas, carrots, or 

 mangels, but subsequent operations must depend on the variety of 

 root that it is intended to grow. 



RUTABAGA TURNIPS. 



What is called in England the Swedish turnip, is known here 

 as the rutabaga, or white French turnip. It is distinct from the 

 common turnip, being more like the cabbage in many of its 

 characteristics. Its German name is " cabbage-turnip." It is 

 subject to the same diseases as cabbage, — notably to the club-foot, 

 — is consumed in. its early stages by the skipping-beetle, and 

 grows to its greatest perfection under circumstances which are 

 best adapted to the growth of cabbage, which it cannot success- 

 fully follow or be followed by, except in very rare cases, — and it 

 has the same advantage that it may be easily and safely trans- 

 planted. 



