108 ON ROOT CROPS. 



An experiment of great value to root growers was made some 

 years ago, showing the comparative feeding properties of Mangel 

 WuTtzel and Swedish Turnips, which may be introduced with pro- 

 priety here. The experiment was made by Lord Spenser. He 

 took two steers, weighing 668 pounds eai.h, and of the same age, 

 wanting some six weeks. On the 24th of December he put No. 1 

 to Swedish Turnips, and No. 2 to Mangel Wurtzel. On the 28d of 

 January following. No. 1 had consumed 1624 pounds of the turnip, 

 and had increased in weight thirty-five pounds, or at the rate of 

 forty-eight and a quarter pounds for every ton. No. 2 had con- 

 sumed 1848 pounds of Wurtzel, and had increased fifty-three 

 pounds, or at the rate of sixty-five and a half pounds for every ton. 

 The trial was now varied. No. 1 was put to Mangel Wurtzel, and 

 No. 2 to Swedish Turnips. On the 20th of February, No. 1 had 

 consumed 1884 pounds of Wurtzel, and gained this month thirty 

 one pounds, or at the rate of thirty-six and three quarter pounds for 

 a ton. No. 2 consumed 1880 pounds of the Turnip, and gained 

 thirteen pounds, or at the irate of fifteen and a half pounds for every 

 ton. Further experiments were made upon the same animals. It 

 seems thus far clear, that the balance was in favor of Mangel Wuitzel, 

 and no trial made disproved the fact. 



Sugar Beet. It has been stated in the newspapers recently, that 

 a French chemist had discovered a method of procuring something 

 like three times as much sugar as formerly from this beet. In our 

 country, however, it is not probable that the cultivation of the cane 

 will be relinquished for sugar beet. They are valuable in stock, 

 nevertheless, and if all farmers should succeed as Mr Fuller did at 

 Nahant, in 1840, it is a question whether any crop would be better 

 worth cultivating. He raised at the rate of 1300 bushels, of fittj- 

 six pounds weight, on one acre, which is nearly thirty-six and a half 

 tons. These beets are often packed in barrels and shipped to the 

 South. A common price is $1,50 per barrel. 



They may be planted on ridges four feet apart, in double rows, 

 and the intermediate spaces may be sowed with turnips, it is a 

 very good way, however, to put them in single rows, twenty-seven 

 inches apart. Like the Wurtzel, they are a more exhausting crop 

 than any kind of turnip — but unlike every kind of turnip, are always 

 free from destructive insects. The land should be mellow, ploughed 

 deep, and manured well, both fall and spring, though this is not 

 indispensible. 



