24 FARM MANAGEMENT 



on a dry bottom, and preferably a raised one, 

 to keep away vermin, 



Extra labour has to be employed at harvest 

 time, as the work is too heavy to be dealt 

 with by the ordinary staff. Such extra assist- 

 ance may be paid by the day or by piece- 

 work. 



Roots. — The preparation of the land for 

 roots is much more elaborate than for any 

 other crop, as not only is it necessary for the 

 crop itself, but also for the crops that follow, 

 which would otherwise require a more exten- 

 sive cultivation than they usually get, and this 

 it would not be convenient to give them owing 

 to the short time available before seeding. 

 Heavy manuring and extensive cultivation for 

 a root crop is shown by experience to be the 

 most economical method of preparation for 

 this and the following crops. The cultivation 

 of the land begins in autumn, after the corn 

 has all left, the land being broken up and 

 dunged, and is then left in a roughly ploughed 

 state till spring. It is during this period that 

 the land may be occupied by a catch crop, if it 

 be a light, quick-draining soil, or if sheep feed 

 be needed in spring. In the spring a good 



