134 



GENESEE FARMER. 



lUXK 



Root Culture. 



The following article was received some time 

 since, and intended for j)ublication at an earlier 

 period. We regret that it was overlooked in 

 making up our two previous numbers, but think 

 it will be found interesting, even at this season. 



lieport of the Committee on Root Crops, read 

 before the Agricultural Society of Pavillion 

 and Covington, {Wyoming Co.,) on the 16th 

 of October last: — 



Your. Committee feel very sensibly their defi- 

 ciency in making siich a report upon Root Cul- 

 ture as the importance of the subject demands ; 

 for the very obvious reason, that they, in conmion 

 with the generality of the agricultural portion of 

 the community, have not bestowed that attention 

 to the culiure of roots, M'hich would enable them 

 so to do. Yet, finely believing that large mat- 

 ters not unfrequently spring from those of a less 

 size, and likewise that we are not to " despise 

 the day of small things," we now proceed to place 

 before this Society the fruits of our research and 

 experience. 



Your Committee understand.? by Koot Culture, 

 the raising of Turnips, Beefs, and Carrots, in 

 the field, for Stock. This, like other subjects of 

 a similar kind, naturally divides itself into its 

 utility and treatment. 



Its utility, we aver, is abundantly manifest, 

 when we consider the great amount of succulent 

 food that can be raised from a quantity of land — 

 the great value that food is, in feeding working, 

 fattening, and milking animals — the conducive- 

 ncs-s to health and comfort on the part of the an 

 imals which are fed with it during the inclement 

 season of the year — and, as this is a matter of 

 dollars and cents, we would say, its utility pre- 

 eminently appears in the quantity and improved 

 quality of the barn-yard manure. These are 

 reasons sufficient, we think, why farmers should 

 be encouraged to give this subject more of their 

 attention. 



There is almost an endless variety in every 

 species of roots; but it will answer our present 

 purpose only to notice those which are adapted 

 to our climate and can be profitably cultivated, 

 viz: the Swedish Turnip (or rata baga,) the 

 long yellow and large white Carrot, the large 

 Sugar Beet, and the Mangle Wurtzel. 



Which of these will be most profitable to cul- 

 tivate, is a quere to be answered by the farmer 

 himself, and must have reference to the soil upon 

 which they are to be propagated, and the animals 

 to which they are to be fed. 



The carrot is the most nutritious and best for 

 horses; it is more difficult to raise, and does not 

 yield so much ])er acre, and is not so profitable 

 to raise for cattle. 'J'he long yellow requires a 

 light and deep soil, as they grow under the sur- 

 face, and generally go to the depth of the soil ; 



they also produce bountifully in black, mucky 

 ground. The long white requires stronger and 

 firmer ground, as they grow mostly above the 

 surfiice; they will grow on stifl'clay if rich : in- 

 deed they will pro<luce well on any good wheat 

 land. 



For milking animals, and especially cows, 

 whose milk is intended for family use, the beet 

 is )nuch the best. The large sugar beet is more 

 nutritious tlian the wurtzel, but is more diflficult 

 to gather, owing to its roots ; and being firmer, 

 is not so easily masticated, and does not generally 

 yield so bountiful a crop. Upon the whole, it is 

 not so profitable as the wurtzel, excepting seasons 

 of intense draught, .such as was the past, which 

 affect it more than the beet. Like the large- 

 white carrot, they delight in a strong soil, grow- 

 ing mostly above the surface. 



The Swedish turnip is an excellent root for 

 flattening animals, and is most productive on light 

 sandy or gravelly soils. 



A rich soil, frequently and thoroughly pulver- 

 ized and kej)t free from weeds, are tlie primary 

 essentials for raising a bountiful crop of roots. 



The ground should be heavily manured in the 

 fall, the manure spread, and remain upon the sur- 

 face until spring, when it should be plowed in. 

 early, and deep. As soon as dry, harrow it well,, 

 and let it remain till near planting time ; then 

 harrow thoroughly, and ridge it; the ridges will 

 do at 2i. feet apart; mark on the ridge 2 inches 

 deep W4th a marker or hoe ; di*op the seed in the- 

 mark thus made, and cover with a rake or hoe. 

 Sow the last week in April or first in May, as it 

 is essential to the vegetalioa of those seeds, to^ 

 sow when the ground is moist. Sow 2 lbs. of 

 carrot, or 2 lbs of ruta baga seed to the acre ; 4 

 lbs. of beet or wurtzel, or 3 lbs. beet or wurtzel 

 with half a pound ruta baga seed ; the latter mix- 

 ture is considered preferable, as the turnip suj>- 

 plies the defects (if any) m the beet, 



Tlie habits of the sugar beet and wurtzel are 

 the same, and require the same treatment. In 

 preparing the seed, it will be necessary to soak 

 the ruta baga in tanner's oil 48 hours ; carrots 

 and beets the same length of time in soft water 

 moderately warm;, then pour off the water, keej> 

 the seed moderately moist and warm, occasional- 

 ly moving it until it begins to sprout, which will 

 be in two or three days. Should anything pre- 

 vent from sowing at the time contemplated, keep 

 the .seed cool, stir it twice each day, and it will 

 not sprout to injure it. Roll the .seed in plaster 

 or flour to prevent its sticking, and enable the 

 sower to execute his work proj)erly. When the 

 |)lants come up, care must l)e taken to keep them 

 clean. When they liave acquired some advance- 

 ment, they must be thinned out ; the carrots from 

 3 to 6 inches; beets 4 to 6 ; wurtzel from 8 to 

 12. The beets and wurtzel will do for table use, 

 until the ir)th or 20th of August. They should 

 be secured before hard frosts set in — light ones 



