262 AMERICAN HUSBANDRY. 



has received much attention in this country, not only 

 for the purpose of testing its prod.ictiveness in the 

 manufacture of sugar, bur. is one of the most valu- 

 able of the roots grown lor the feeding of animals 

 during the fall, winter, or spring months. For dairy 

 cows it is particularly esteemed ; the ruta-baga or 

 turnip, which has been generally given them where 

 roots are used, communicating to the milk and but- 

 ter an unpleasant taste and smell, which is entire- 

 ly avoided b}'^ the use of the beet. The following 

 method of culture has been recommended. Pre- 

 pare the ground as for turnips or potatoes, by deep 

 ploughing or harrowing, until it is fine. Open. two 

 furrows with the plough two feet apart, and put in a 

 sufficient quantity of manure, according to the state 

 of the ground ; cover the dung with the plough by 

 throwing a furrow of earth upon it, ridging as high 

 as can well be done ; level the surface of the ridge 

 over the dung, taking care that there is a full pro- 

 portion of earth over the manure for the seed to 

 vegetate in. The seed may be sown with a drill or 

 by the hand ; and rolling completes the process. 



In the garden, one ounce of beet-seed is required 

 for a rod of ground, which would give about ten lbs. 

 to the acre ; but, in the mode recom.mended for field- 

 culture, not more than one half that quantity will be 

 needed ; and if the seed be good, and sown careful- 

 ly by hand, not more than three pounds per acre will 

 be used. The beet requires to be kept clean by fre- 

 quent hoeings ; and the crop, when taken oflf, leaves 

 the ground in excellent order for other crops. Some 

 have recommended picking the leaves of the plants 

 while growing, and feeding them to animals ; but 

 the practice is an improper one, and in many in- 

 stances has produced disease, or scouring in stock 

 thus fed. The root itself has no such effect. 



BORECOLE or KALE. Brassica Oleracea. 

 There are many varieties of this plant known, but 



