138 On the Cultivation of Turnips. 



crops, it may be proper to give a short account of the method he pur- 

 sues. 



The ground is prepared for the crop hy three ploughiugs, though 

 the number must, in a great measure, depend on the description of 

 the soil, its state in regard to cleanness, &c. But in general three is 

 considered to be an ample allowance, the first between the beginning 

 of November and the end of December, the second, (when some 

 farmers prefer cross ploughing), in April, and the third immediately 

 before the turnips are sown. 



The whole ploughings are given as nearly as possible of the same 

 depth, which in general is about eight inches. When the second or 

 third ploughings are deeper than the first, it is difficult, even by a 

 pretty free use of the roller, to obtain so fine and equally pulverized 

 ar mould, as when the depth of the succeeding ploughing is regula- 

 ted by that of the first. 



The harrow and roller are used, just as often as may be necessary, 

 to bring the whole soil stirred by the plough into a fine tilth, which 

 depends much on the nature of the soil, its previous state, and the 

 kind of weather during these operations. It is of great importance, 

 that the land intended for turnips should not be in a foul state, be- 

 cause, when much cleaning is required, the farmer is often obliged to 

 give more ploughings and harrowings, than are necessary, merely to 

 produce a fine tilth ; and by repeated turnings up, and long exposure, 

 the land is apt, in dry weather, to become deficient in the moisture 

 requisite to insure a rapid and simultaneous vegetation of the seed> 

 an object of infinite importance. When the land is much infested 

 with the roots of perennial weeds, persons must be employed to col- 

 lect them, after the second and third ploughing^ ; but that is seldom 

 necessary, where a proper rotation is practised. The weight of the 

 roller employed must depend on the state of the ground and weather. 

 It ought always to have sufficient power, to reduce any hard lumps 

 on the surface to a powder. Indeed, after the second ploughing, if 

 the land can be allowed to remain for a week or more after that 

 operation, before getting the last ploughing, a heavy roller ought to be 

 used, being attended with two important advantages ; 1. It prevents 

 the too rapid evaporation of moisture ; and, 2. It affords the best op- 

 portunity for annual weeds to spring up, which are all destroyed by 

 the third ploughing. 



The soil thus prepared, is formed into ridges, and the dung is depo- 

 sited in the intervals between the rows. The dung is brought to the 

 ground in single horse carts, or in tumbrils, and not in waggons, the 

 wheels of which would destroy the ridges. 



The quantity of seed sown \% a point of great importance, not in 

 general sufficiently attended to. It is proper to sow, more espe- 

 cially in a dry season, from six to eight pounds of turnip seed per 

 Scotch acre, (one-fifth less per English acre.) When a multitude of 

 plants are raised, there is a better chance that a sufficient number to 

 produce a crop, will always escape the ravages of the fly. The value 

 or' the seed, on an average, being only about Is. per pound, the expense 

 of an additional quantity is no object, compared to the advantage of 

 securing a crop. In favour of this rule also, it is to be observed, that 



