116 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The ruta-baga often yields enormous crops, sometimes 

 reaching as high as thirty-seven tons per acre ; an average 

 yield is about twenty tons. When its value is compared with 

 hay, it is found that four tons are equal to one ton of hay ; it 

 is thus a profitable root to use. Its importance as a cheap 

 and nutritious food for growing stock has long been realized 

 in Europe, and it is fast gaining ground in this country. 



ENGLISH. TURNIP. 



The cultivation of the common white turnip is so universal 

 among farmers, that perhaps I need allude to it but briefly. 

 No root is so cheaply grown, and none is of so little nutritive 

 value ; but when fed freely to young and growing stock, it 

 stimulates the animal to rapid development. The crop is 

 often grown in this State as a second crop, following pease, 

 early potatoes, strawberries, in fact any crop that can be 

 removed previous to August ; they are often sown among 

 corn at the last hoeing, and where any crop fails, the turnip 

 affords another and the last chance for the season. 



The turnip should be the first root to feed in the foil or 

 early winter, it not being a late keeper, and it is a very poor 

 root to store in large bulk. They require a good soil to pro- 

 duce a large yield, but they may be grown at comparatively 

 small expense ; a piece of sward land may be turned over after 

 the hay has been removed, dressed with well decomposed 

 manure, ashes- or commercial fertilizers, and the seed sown. 

 They are best grown in drills twenty inches apart, but often 

 succeed well when sown broadcast. Rich land and a moist 

 atmosphere will insure a bountiful yield, which will help out 

 a short hay-crop. 



It is most earnestly to be desired, that the farmers will be 

 more strongly directed to the raising of root-crops. 



The cultivation of crops, which will add to the permanent 

 welfare and success of the farmer, and thus develop the agri- 

 cultural wealth of both farmer and State, by a course of 

 husbandry, tending to increase our stock of cattle, is to be 

 encouraged. 



Mr. Hopkins, of Rhode Island. One point was touched 

 upon in Mr. Hadwen's paper that I deem of sufficient impor- 



