MANGELS 281 



covered with manure at the rate of eight to ten 

 tons per acre. Tliis should be worked into the 

 soil early in the spring, and the whole surface 

 thoroughly cultivated, and fertilizers applied con- 

 taining a high content of nitrogen. A good 

 formula should carry nitrogen, 4 per cent; phos- 

 phoric acid (available), 10 per cent; potash, 6 per 

 cent. If manure is used as recommended, a dress- 

 ing of 400 pounds per acre of this fertilizer at time 

 of seeding may be made with advantage, even on 

 good soils. 



Seeding and handling 



The quantity of seed is five to eight pounds per 

 acre. The seed does not germinate quickly, and 

 early growth is slow and, as a consequence, early 

 cultivation is not possible, because the rows cannot 

 be readily followed ; therefore weeds take posses- 

 sion and make hand -labor necessary. It has been 

 suggested that a little buckwheat be added to 

 the seed; this plant germinates quickly, and the 

 broad leaves clearly mark the row, making earlier 

 cultivation possible. 



Mangels should be sown in rows two to two 

 and one -half feet apart in May or early June, and, 

 after well started, the plants should be thinned to 

 eight to ten inches apart in the row. The cultiva- 

 tion should be frequent, and, early in the season, 

 relatively deep, in order that the soil may be in 



