54 SKETCHES OP BUBAL AFFAIRS. 



until their fertility was restored. It was also difficult 

 to support cattle during winter, when their only pro- 

 vender was hay, so that a large number were slaugh- 

 tered, and salted down for winter consumption, which 

 might otherwise have added to the more wholesome 

 supply of fresh meat. These and many other incon- 

 veniences were removed by the introduction of turnip- 

 husbandry. 



The varieties of turnip are commonly known under 

 three divisions, the Swedish, the yellow, and the white. 

 So also there are three times of sowing. Swedish 

 turnips are sown as early as possible, from the begin- 

 ning of April throughout May, the yellow sorts soon 

 afterwards, and the white at any time from about the 

 middle of May until the end of June, or beginning of 

 July, according to the situation. 



Turnip-seed must be chosen with care, for it is fre- 

 quently adulterated with rape, or with old seed that 

 will not grow. Farmers who are very particular about 

 the quality, save the seed themselves, or purchase of 

 some neighbouring farmer who is accustomed to raise 

 a supply. 



The land designed for turnips should be carefully 

 prepared, and plentifully manured. It is broken up in 

 the autumn, immediately after harvest, and left to have 

 all the benefit of the frost, which tends to make it work 

 well in the spring. Repeated ploughings and harrow- 

 ings are also necessary to bring it into the perfect con- 

 dition required for this crop, which is the first in most 

 systems of rotation. The manure is put on turnip- 

 land either by drill, if the seed is to be sown on that 

 plan, or is carted on, laid down in small heaps, which 

 are scattered abroad by women and children, and then 

 ploughed in. 



While the ground is fresh and moist from recent work- 

 ing, the seed is to be deposited, and this is done either 

 broad-cast, or by drill. In some soils and seasons, very 

 heavy crops are produced from broad-cast sowing j but 



