56 SKETCHES OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 



at regular distances of about nine or ten inches apart, 

 which affords ample space for the growth and increase 

 of the root. In about three weeks' time the weeds will 

 have again made their appearance, and the hand-hoers 

 must accordingly repeat their task, trimming the earth 

 with care round eveiy plant, and cutting away any 

 sprouts that may have escaped previous notice. 



Another useful crop for feeding sheep is rape, which 

 may be grown on soils that are too stiff for turnips; 

 but which yields a much less amount of food per acre. 

 Sheep fatten very rapidly on this plant when it is in 

 perfection; that is> when it has grown freely and the 

 stems are succulent and not fibrous. In the East 

 Riding of Yorkshire a regular succession of this crop is 

 kept up by sowing it at three different times, from the 

 middle of May to the end of June, and the sheep are 

 put upon it three months after it is sown. It is sown 

 hi drills twelve inches apart, but not thinned in the 

 rows, though well hoed between them. Sometimes it is 

 sown broad-cast on a fallow, early in June. 



Mangel-wurzel is another field crop to be sown in the 

 busy months of April and May. The garden variety of 

 this vegetable (beet-root) has long been known ; but 

 the field crop has not been introduced more than about 

 seventy years. The cultivation is very similar to that 

 of turnips. The seed is small, flat, and light, and is 

 sown either broad-cast, or by dibble. Great care is 

 required in thinning, as the plants are apt to entwine 

 their roots together. 



Pease are less universal as a field crop than formerly ; 

 perhaps because they encourage the growth of annual 

 weeds, and thus bring the ground into bad condition. 

 This is partly prevented by sowing them in drills, and 

 hoeing well between the drills in the early period of 

 their growth ; but whatever care may be taken, the 

 trailing habit of the plant will cause it to cover the 

 ground, and thus so shelter weeds to a great extent. 

 Pease and beans are sometimes sown together, the stalks 



