142 CULTIVATION OF PLANTS. 



throughout the kingdom. The ruta-baga is of recent intro- 

 duction. 



Turnips and clover are now the two main pillars of British 

 husbandry. They have contributed more to augment and in- 

 crease the fertility of the soil for producing grain to enlarge 

 and improve the breeds of cattle and sheep and to afford a 

 regular supply of butchers' meat throughout the year, than all 

 other crops combined. 



The soil, preparation of the ground, mode of culture, and 

 general management of the common turnip and the ruta-baga, 

 are in all respects similar. They both require a very finely 

 pulverized soil, which is accomplished only by repeated plough- 

 ings and harro wings, as hereafter described. In all cases where 

 the crop is intended to be followed by wheat, the land should 

 be well manured previously to the first ploughing. 



Soils. The soils suited to this crop are of the lighter kind; 

 they are grown on all comparatively dry soils, including the 

 loams, and under almost all the variations of climate. Their 

 cultivation on cold and tenacious clays cannot be recommended. 

 The more preferable soils are those which grow good Indian, 

 corn. 



Preparation of the. soil. With us, though there are many 

 exceptions, turnips are generally a second crop. The land is 

 ploughed with a deep furrow immediately after harvest, usually 

 in the direction of the former ridges, that if the soil be dry, it 

 is of little consequence in what direction. All the weed-roots, 

 &c., brought to the surface, are carefully gathered into heaps, 

 and either burnt on the ground, or carried off to form a com- 

 post, usually with lime. The land is generally ploughed and 

 harrowed again, if considered necessary, and all the weeds 

 brought to the surface are removed as before. Loose stones, 

 and all obstacles to good tillage, are to be removed. 



If the drill culture is intended the land is again ploughed, 

 harrowed and rolled, and any weeds disengaged are collected 

 and taken off. It is then generally well pulverized, and in a 

 fit condition to be formed into drills. If this should not be so, 

 the same operation of ploughing, harrowing, and gathering of 

 weeds is to be repeated, until the ground is cleared of injurious 

 roots, and reduced to a pliable state.* The drills are then 

 formed. The distances vary from twenty-seven to thirty-six 

 inches thirty inches is a good distance. The intervals should 

 be wide enough to admit of after culture by the cultivator. 



* The writer is fully aware that this process will be objected to as too ex- 

 pensive, troublesome and laborious. But all is abundantly made up in the 

 increase of the crop, and more especially in the fine state of improvement in 

 which it leaves the soil. 



