THB GENESEE FAEMER. 807 





inferiority to the large. In general, we are able to account for the cause of these exceptions. In 

 one case it arose from the seed being mixed ; consequently each root examined belonged to, more 

 or less developed, distinct varieties. As a general rule, we have found that those roots of a par- 

 ticular variety of the beet which had white (lesh, were superior to tkose exhibiting a colored flesh. 

 In one case, this was remarkably shown, as the largest root which had this character was far supe- 

 rior to the smallest, which was remarkable for the amount of coloring matter which it contained. 

 Another cause of exception was, that the roots which grew out of the soil, and whose upper sen'- 

 ment was colored more or less green, contained less solid matter tlinn those which had grown fully 

 under tlie soil. This result is in perfect accordance with the fact that the segment of the root 

 immediately below the crown contains less solid matter than the body of the root; and hence, if a 

 large part of the root grows out of the soil, the portion thus exposed will partake of the character 

 of that segment 



Tills last observation would seem to recommend the hoeing up of the soil close to the crown — a 

 practice which, however, appears to be opposed to that of practical farmers. It is singular that 

 not a single exception occurred in the Swedish turnips. 



Tiiose results lead to the conclusion that nearly all the analyses of roots hitherto made, especially 

 with reference to the action of manures upon gross weight and composition, are valueless. The 

 same remark applies to all experiments made upon the relative feeding qualities of certain crops. 

 We make this sweeping assertion with considerable difHdeuce, althougli we feel certain that, on a 

 little consideration, it will be found to be just. Suppose, for instance, that roots grown with one 

 manure are to be compared with the same kind of roots grown with another manure; it is quite 

 clear that if the roots of one set examined be larger than those of the other, the manure with which 

 the small roots were grown will be pronounced to be the better a<lapted of the two for the growth 

 of that particular root crop. Now, the size of tlie roots depends, among other circumstances, upon 

 the intervals between the plants; and hence, in all such comparisons, the manure applied to land 

 upon which the close-planting system prevails, will have the advantage over that applied to land 

 cultivated under the other system. Need we wonder, therefore, that practical agriculture has 

 hitherto derived so little benefit from such an analysis? 



It is needless to point out the influence which the facts which we have established must have 

 upon the system of giving prizes for large roots, on the one hand, ol* of growing them on the 

 other. It is evident that the object of the farmer ought to be, to grow the largest possible amount 

 of food from a given space of ground, quite irrespective of the size of the roots; and if science 

 leads to the conclusion that that end will be best attained by the cultivation of moderate-sized roots, 

 the present system, which favors the growth of large roots, must be moditied. It is for the practical 

 agriculturist to show how this is to be attained; but we are of opinion that a good many useful 

 hints might be gleaned from the practice followed on the continent, with reference to the sugar 

 beet. — William K. Sullivan, Chetnitt to the Museum of Irish ludustry : and Alyhonse Gages, Assist- 

 ant Cheniiit, in the London Farmers^ Magazine. 



O- 



A Prolific Meadow. — It has become so common of late to put on record all facts tending to show 

 the decay of the potato, I think it but fair, when anything to the contrary appears, it should be 

 stated. "Yesterday, after the refreshing showers of the morning, in company with a friend, himself 

 a large and successful cultivator, I went to view a field of about four acres of potatoes, grown as 

 follows: The ground on whicli they are growing is meadow land, with a soil of the average depth 

 of three or four feet^ The main brook of the meadow has recently been cleaned, so that the surplus 

 water runs off, leaving it firm enough to eart upon. It is covered with a soil of richest quality, 

 more like tlie prairies of the west than anything I know hereabouts. 



The cultivation was commenced by spreading a coating of manure on the grassy surface, dropping 

 the seed among the manure, cutting ditches and covering the potatoes with the material taken 

 therefrom, leaving the ground in beds about five feet wide, and three rows of potatoes in a bed. 

 In this way the potatoes started into growth, and now cover the ground with a most luxuriant 

 coating of Vines. A part of these, the earliest kinds, have come to maturity, and yield a fair crop 

 of superior quality. An adjoining piece of ground was cultivated in the same way the last year, 

 and when the crop was gathered, the vines and rubbish were thrown into the ditches, and the 

 whole surface was leveled ofi", and sown with grass seed, herds gi'ass, red top and clover, and the 

 present season has yielded h»y of good quality, to the amount of three tons to the acre, with a 

 prospect of a second cutting of half as much more. The crop of potatoes grown the last year fully 

 paid for all the labor applied. The first purchase of the land did not exceed twenty dollars per 

 acre. If any one can show a grass field yielding as much, procured at an expense as moderate, I 

 should like to see it. Tlie proprietor has more than one hundred acres of similar meadow, that has 

 heretofore yielded herbage of the coarsest kind ; all of which he contemplates bringing into Eng- 

 lish mowing by this process. One peculiarity about this culture, no hoeing is needed The few 

 weeds that start are easily pulled up by the roots. My impression is, if the potato crop should be 

 continued two years, the ground wouUfbe left in better condition, and be likely to remain redeemed. 

 It will be observed that no coating of gravel or other material has been carried upon this meadow 

 — nor does it appear to be needed! I forbear to name the proprietor, as he is abundantly capable 

 of maliing his own statement, when disposed to do so. — P., in K E. Farmer, July 21. , p 



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