152 MARCH. 



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TURNIP-FALLOW. 



The land designed for turnips, I suppose to have 

 been ploughed from a stubble at Michaelmas. In 

 this month it should receive the second earth, 

 which is very necessary, that it may, by harrowing 

 \vell, or by another stirring in April, if the land is 

 stubborn, be made so fine, as to ensure a thick 

 crop of weeds in May. A succeeding ploughing 

 turns them in, and quite destroys them. This is 

 a method that is very effectual in destroying seed 

 weeds, and particularly suits turnip-fallows, as it is 

 a crop that requires a very fine tilth. 



But modern improvements have discovered better 

 ways of effecting these purposes. The turnip-fal- 

 lows that received an autumnal ploughing should 

 not be ploughed again till surface operations in 

 March have stirred and loosened the earth, to fa- 

 vour the vegetation of weeds. This is best done 

 by scarifying or scuffling. These tools will do 

 their work if they are well constructed, to any 

 depth the farmer may wish, and this tillage keep- 

 ing the surface that has been pulverized by frosts, 

 unburied, is much more favourable to the growth 

 of weeds, than turning it down by ploughing. 

 The work also is done much more rapidly, which, 

 at so busy a season, is an object of great conse- 

 quence. 



LENTILS. 



This crop is not uncommon about Chesterford 

 in Essex. They sow a bushel an acre on one 



ploughing 



' 



