FARM CROPS 25 



seed-bed is prepared with the aid of the plough, 

 harrow and roller. 



Mangels. — The time of sowing of a root 

 crop depends on the crop ; for mangels the last 

 week in April is about the best time, drilling 

 8 lbs. per acre in rows 2 feet apart. The 

 seedlings are subsequently thinned out to 

 suitable distances apart. Horse and hand 

 hoeing must subsequently be done to keep down 

 weeds, and this, of course, applies to all root 

 crops. Mangels are not suitable for feeding 

 direct to stock, but are kept in clamps, that is, 

 in heaps covered with straw and earth, to 

 ripen. They are essentially a cattle food, but 

 may be given to ewes and lambs. The yield is 

 about 20 tons per acre. They are the most 

 nutritious roots we have, and resist drought 

 better than any others. They like warm 

 climates and fairly heavy soils. As regards 

 manure, mangels may get 12-15 ^^^^is per acre 

 of dung supplemented with 5 cwt. super, 3 cwt. 

 kainit, and 2 cwt. nitrate of soda ; salt is also 

 beneficial. 



Turnips. — There are three varieties of 

 turnips, namely, the white turnip, the yellow 

 turnip and the swede. The white is the least 



