ROOT CULTURE. 91 



The reverse of this happens with other roots, par- 

 ticularly with beets ; those of medium or diminutive 

 size being found to contain a much greater propor- 

 tion of saccharine matter than very large ones. For 

 table use, the early rock-turnip may be sown in the 

 garden, the common flat or green-top for autumn 

 and early winter, while the yellow Aberdeen should 

 be chosen for late winter and spring use, being the 

 best keeping variety, when the ruta-baga is either 

 not liked or not to be had. 



All kinds of the turnip prefer a sandy and dry soil ; 

 and the ruta-baga, in particular, requires a rich one. 

 We have been accustomed to raise the common va- 

 rieties as a second crop, t. e., of sowing upon a grain 

 stubble, with a single ploughing and harrowing, after 

 the grain is harvested, from the 25th of July to the 

 1st of August, brushing or lightly harrowing in the 

 seed. The plants must be thinned and cleaned with 

 a hoe. They should not be left to stand nearer than 

 six or eight inches. If sown broadcast, they yield 

 more, and are of a more suitable size for the table 

 than if raised in drills. 



A grass ley is best for the Swede. If an old sod, 

 it should be ploughed in autumn or early in the 

 spring; and it should be manured and completely 

 pulverized on the eve of being planted. If a young 

 clover ley, the manure may be spread, ploughed un- 

 der, the ground harrowed, and the seed immediately 

 put in. We usually select the latter. We cut the 

 clover by the 25th of June, and manure, plough, and 

 sow the crop within the ensuing seven days. The 

 seed is generally sown with the drill-barrow, at the 

 rate of a pound to two pounds an acre. It is prefer- 

 able to sow thick on account of the fly, and as the 

 crop may be readily thinned when the plants are out 

 of danger. 



The turnip-fly often commits great depredations 

 upon the crop This was particularly the case the 

 last season. We cannot recommend any certaiu 



