CARROTS, MANGOLDS AND SUGAR BEETS. 



45 



solved bones. On the heavier description of soils it is pref- 

 erable to use mineral superphosphate for roots, especially if 

 the land has been dressed in Autumn with a moderate quan- 

 tity of dung." 



SALT AS AN AUXILIARY MANURE. 



It will be seen by the table of analysis of roots, that th • 

 Mangold has in it a remarkably large percentage of Chlorine 

 and Soda, the roots yielding respectively 9.9 and 18.4, while 

 the tops give, 17.8 and 23.3. Salt being a combination of 

 Chlorine and Soda, known to chemists as Chloride of Sodi- 

 um, must therefore be a valuable auxiliary manure for Man- 

 golds, that is, one to be used in connection with other ma- 

 nures. Practice proves what chemistry indicates.. Prof- 

 Voelcker tells us that "salt tends to check over-luxuriance in 

 the tops, while it prolongs the period of active growth. In 

 consequence of this specific action it may be employed with 

 benefit as an auxiliary manure upon light land, in quantities 

 not greater than five bushels to the acre." Mr. Lewis, of 

 New York, believes that by scattering over the surface, when 

 the Mangolds develop the fourth leaf, four or five bushels of 

 the refuse of the Syracuse salt works, which is about equal 

 parts of salt and plaster, he has increased his crop ten tons 

 to the acre. Mr. Lewis finds that salt tends to prevent a dis- 

 ease which sometimes attacks the leaves, known as "rust. 

 He states that it can be obtained at the works for about $3.50 

 per ton. Prof. Voelcker believes it would be injurious rather 

 than beneficial on heavy land. 



The quantity to be applied to the acre as given by prac- 

 tical growers, varies from four to twenty-live bushels. The 

 effect is not always the same ; one season the increase may 

 be very striking and the next, under the same application, 

 not be perceptible, the cause of which is not very clear. 



