Root CROPS. 205- 



the land, plowed or unplowed in the autumn, winter 

 or quite early spring. Decayed manure is preferred, 

 but when moisture can be relied on, manure in the 

 fresh form will answer very well. 



While various commercial fertilizers have been 

 applied in growing rutabagas, none has been so 

 applied that has given more satisfaction than ani- 

 mal superphosphate. Sometimes it is strewn over the 

 land just previous to the ridging of the land for the 

 crop, and sometimes it is drilled in with the seed. 

 Whether the land should be plowed again in the 

 spring, or simply disked, or otherwise cultivated, will 

 depend upon conditions. If fresh manure has been 

 strewn over the land, the plow will have to be used 

 to bury it. When moisture can be relied on, there 

 need be no hesitancy in plowing the land in the 

 spring, even though plowed previously in the fall. 

 But with a doubtful supply of moisture spring plow- 

 ing should be avoided. In any event, the harrow 

 cannot be used too freely in preparing the land. It 

 is important that soil on which rutabagas are to be 

 sown should be of fine tilth, moist and firm. 



New land on which a crop of rutabagas is to be 

 broadcasted should not be deeply plowed, as the 

 plants will then be able to feed more readily in the 

 decayed vegetable matter. It cannot usually be 

 plowed too early in the spring, nor can it be made 

 too fine by the use of the harrow and roller. 



Sozving. — Rutabagas are more commonly sown 

 in raised drills, although it may sometimes be pref- 

 erable to sow them on the level, as, for instance, 

 when the land is liable to be short of moisture dur- 

 ing the growing season. The cultivation is more 

 easily done when the drills are raised, but if raised 



