338 CHAPTER XX 



crop. It is fairly drought and frost-resistant, although for its 

 highest production, other factors being favourable, it requires 

 a good rainfall, or in its absence a few thorough irrigations. 

 Like other root crops it succeeds best on a deep loam soil, not 

 too sandy nor too clayey. The preparation of the seed-bed 

 should be as thorough as possible as success or failure of the 

 crop often depends on this factor. Deep ploughing, so a.s to 

 provide a deep feeding zone to the roots, is very essential. 

 If the crop is to be planted in spring, winter ploughing wall 

 prove very beneficial. Manuring, especially on soils of poor 

 fertility will prove profitable. About 10 tons of well-rotted 

 kraal manure, ploughed under during the winter months, to- 

 gether with a dressing of 200 lbs. of superphosphate, applied 

 in the row at the time of planting, is advocated. 



Cultural jMethods. — In areas having winter rainfall, or 

 where the crop is grown under irrigation, March and April 

 are considered the best months for sowing ; but where the 

 crop is grown on dry-lands in summer, the spring months ar*» 

 looked upon as the most suitable. About 1 lb. to 1-| lbs. of seed 

 are required to plant an acre. The seed is put in by hand or 

 by means of a small seed-drill, such as the Planet Junior, to 

 a depth not exceeding 1 inch. The rows are made 18 to 24 

 inches apart. The seedlings are thinned out to a distance of 

 9 to 12 inches; under favourable conditions and on good soils 

 the spacing is generally a little closer. 



Cultivation should commence as soon as the plants appear 

 in the rows, for if delayed weeds are likely to smother the 

 slow-growing seedlings. Hand-hoeing is necessary between 

 the plants in the rows. Three to four cultivations during the 

 growing-season is generally sufficient. The number will, how- 

 ever, depend upon the amount of weed growth. 



Harvesting. — Generally speaking, the crop is ready to be 

 harvested when the lower leaves turn yellow^ If this opera- 

 tion is delayed ehe roots tend to become too fibrous. Lifting is 

 tion is delayed the roots tend to become too fibrous. Lifting is 

 found in the use of a lieavy single-furrow plough, which should 

 cut a furrow deep enough to unearth the roots. In order to 

 prevent sap from exuding, the leaves should not be removed 

 from the roots for a couple of days. After the crop is lifted 

 it is washed, if necessary, and then, as " fresh roots," sent 

 to the factory, or it is cut a.nd dried by the farmer himself. 



