134 On Mangel JVurtzeL 



6. Strip, when full grown, the leaves ; except those 

 of the crown, or heart. Some cut them (as less trou- 

 blesome) about two inches above the crown. — It is in- 

 jurious to cut them too close. In about two weeks 

 (according to season) they may be stripped again. In 

 a large extent of cultivation (two or three acres) the 

 roots first stripped will be ready for another stripping, 

 by the time you have gone over the whole. Strip no 

 more than can be consumed in a day. They wilt, 

 and are rejected, if they be exposed to the sun, air, or 

 rain, for any considerable time. 



I have candidly, if even it should be deemed imper- 

 fectly, given my actual experience in the uses and 

 culture of this estimable product. I cannot but hope 

 that what I have said will induce some of our farmers 

 to make trial of this auxiliary to the comforts and sup- 

 port of their domestic animals. — There seem more en- 

 terprize and spirit of improvement, among our hus- 

 bandmen of this day, than existed at the time of my 

 more extensive cultivation of the mangel ivurtzel 

 many years ago. A book-farmer was then an out- cast j 

 in the estimation of too many of our agricultural fel- 

 low citizens. The character has not yet acquired com- 

 plete reputation, though it is regarded now, with so7ne 

 degree of complacency. If I have added practice to 

 book farming ; I trust the former will atone for the ve^ 

 nialsin of the latter. Yet by transplanting, and naturali- 

 zing here, foreign and valuable product and practices, 

 by means of information derived from foreign writers, 

 we gain all the benefits of travel, without its toil, dan- 

 gers and expense. 



Richard Peters. 



