On the Cultivation of Turnips. 1$9 



when a large quantity of seed is sown, they assist each other in per- 

 forating the ground; consequently they grow more rapidly, arid 

 sooner get into a rough leaf, when they are safe from the fly, and 

 may be thinned with advantage. 



'Hie general distance between the rows is from 27 to 28 inches, 

 which, taking all circumstances into consideration, is as good an ave- 

 rage distance as any other. Of course, circumstances frequently occur 

 which may render it desirable to adopt either a smaller or a greater 

 distance. Much less however, would seldom be found advantageous. 



From 8 to 10 inches between the turnips in the row, is the distance 

 to be preferred- At that rate the bulbs reach a considerable size on 

 well-prepared land, and are of a more solid and nutritious quality 

 than when exceedingly large, which would be the case on rich land, 

 if allowed a much larger space between the plants. Much closer, 

 they would be apt to be deficient in size for a full crop. 



It is of great importance, to have new seed, that is, from the pre- 

 ceding year's sowing, as older seed vegetates more slowly, and pro- 

 duces weaker and less vigorous plants. 



The seed should be steeped before it is sown, by which the light 

 or defective seeds, which swim at the top, may be got rid of, and 

 the plants will come up quicker, and more regularly. 



The dung should be thoroughly fermented, by which the bulk is 

 diminished, and it is more easily managed when inserted into the 

 drill *. 



Mr Oliver cultivates all the kinds commonly raised in the Lo- 

 thians, and he considers a portion of each as best : the white for 

 consumption in the months of October, November and December ; 

 the Scotch yellow for January and February ; and the Swedish for 

 March, April and May. 



The general average on Mr Oliver's farm may be stated at about 

 40 tons of white, and 35 of Swedish and yellow, per Scotch acre, 

 one-fifth less per English acre. In regard to the value of each sort 

 for feeding cattle, there can be no doubt, that the Swedish is prefer- 

 able to either of the other two ; but they are more expensive to cul- 

 tivate, from their requiring a greater quantity of manure. In many 

 situations, that difficulty can hardly be remedied, and in some cases it 

 is almost impossible. The introduction however, of rape-dust, bone- 

 dust, and other light manures of a like description, has greatly les- 

 sened this material obstacle to the improved cultivation, and the greater 

 extension of the turnip crop. 



By a strict attention to these rules, Mr Oliver, who has been, for 

 the space of twenty years, extensively engaged in the culture of tur- 

 nips in East, West and Mid Lothians, never lost a crop, or indeed 

 had any one materially injured by the ravages of the fly. 



It may be proper to add, that there is no branch of the turnip hus- 

 bandry, which requires to be more carefully attended to, than to se- 



When fermented dung is used, it ought to be moistened before it is in- 

 serted in the ground, for Mr Church of Hitchill lias ascertained, that even in 

 dry seasons, that would produce a rapid vegetation. 



The addition also, of powdered gypsum to the seed, greatly promotes its ra- 

 pid vegetation, and would contribute to prevent the attacks of the fly. 



