140 On tlte Cultivation of Turnips. 



cure good seed. For that purpose, it is essential, that the farmer 

 should either grow his own seed, or have it raised in the garden of 

 some industrious labourer or small farmer, in his own immediate 

 neighbourhood, and under his own eye. In a crop of such impor- 

 tance to the farmer, no trouble or expense ought to be saved, in se- 

 curing the best seed that can be obtained ; and though there are many 

 seedsmen who may be relied on as to the seed they would furnish, 

 yet in a matter of such infinite moment, the precautions to be taken 

 cannot be too great. 



It is earnestly hoped that the diligent farmer will avail himself of 

 these hints, and will derive from them that benefit, to which his in- 

 dustry so justly entitles him. 



2. Hints on the Mangold Wurzel> or Red Beet, Seta Vulgaris. 



This plant is well calculated for feeding stock, and will thrive, not 

 only on any land capable of producing good turnips, but on soils, as 

 clays, where that root will not succeed. It is cultivated in the same 

 manner as Swedish turnips, but it requires, from its shape, a greater 

 depth of soil. The seed may be either drilled, or dibbled on the ridge. 

 The ridges should be about 27 inches apart. The distance between 

 the plants from 18 to 24 inches. The greater the distance, the larger 

 will be the root, and the crop probably heavier. 



Both the leaves and the roots are extensively employed in feeding 

 milch cows, especially in the neighbourhood of large towns, and po- 

 pulous districts. Sixteen or twenty perches of land, cultivated with this 

 plant will, it is said, support a cow, (allowing her at the rate of 60 

 pounds weight per day), for the five winter months. 



This crop is considered to be much superior in value, to even a 

 good crop of Swedes. It is likewise not liable to the attacks of in- 

 sects ; it will stand a dry summer better ; it will grow a greater 

 weight per acre ; it may be cleared from the ground early, and con- 

 sequently stored with greater advantage. 



On the other hand, it is, in this respect, greatly inferior to turnips, 

 that the crop must \)e carried home, and not fed upon the ground, 

 and that when cattle, horses or sheep are fed with them in winter or 

 spring, if used fresh from the field, they must at first be given in 

 very small quantities, and it will require at least a fortnight to increase 

 them to the full quantity the animals ought to get. But, on the whole, 

 the Norfolk farmers consider this plant as a great acquisition ; and 

 deem it highly advisable, every year, to appropriate a portion of the 

 farm intended for the growth of turnips, to the production of this 

 crop. 



It is recommended, to sow per acre, from 3 to 4 Ibs. of seed, and to 

 mix with it half a pint of the seed of Swedes, for filling up the vacan- 

 cies, in case the mangold wurzel should fail. The seed to be sown 

 about the first week in May *. 



* See a short but able account of Mangold Wurzel, written by H. C, Blyth, 

 Esq. of Deepdale, in Norfolk, inserted in Baxter's Library of Agricultural 

 Knowledge, p. 333. 



