ROOT CULTURE. 167 



The three manured crops, it will be seen, gave an 

 aggregate product of 472 bushels, and an aggregate nett 

 profit of £22 10.?. 3t/., ($99 90, say $100 ;) the three 

 adjoining plats, treated like the others in all respects but 

 manuring, gave an aggregate nett product of 132 bushels, 

 and an aggregate nett profit of but Ss. lid., ($1 96, say 

 $2 ;) thus showing that the manure, in these cases, pro- 

 duced an absolute gain of $98, and that where it was 

 not used, there was a mere nominal profit of two dollars. 

 These facts will serve to show the reader, first, the great 

 value of manure in farming operations, and to stimulate 

 him to save and economize it ; and, secondly, to show 

 him the propriety of always manuring his potato and 

 other root crops, which are equally benefited by the ap- 

 plication, except a heavy dressing has been given to the 

 preceding crop, for which, it is now generally admitted, 

 the unfermenled dung of the stables and cattle-yards is 

 best fitted. 



A deep-worked soil is necessary, for all but the potato 

 crop, and even to this it is highly beneficial, — that the 

 tap-roots of the beet, carrot, and turnip may not only 

 penetrate freely, and increase their length and their vol- 

 ume, but that their radicles — their mouths — which are 

 principally upon their lower extremities, may there find 

 food for the parent plant. Even the turnip and the pota- 

 to, in a deep tilth, send down their roots to a great depth, 

 for food and moisture. This may be seen upon the bor- 

 ders of a field where the soil has been superficially 

 ploughed, and where the product is always inferior, and 

 most liable to suffer from drought. 



The pulverization of the soil is essential to the ger- 

 mination of the seed, to the ready extension of the roots, 

 to the free circulation in it of air and moisture, and the 

 admission of solar heat, all contributing to prepare and 

 transmit the food to the growing plants. If the soil is 

 lumpy, or coarse, and does not come in close contact 

 with tlie seed, to keep it moist, the seed cannot germi- 

 nate ; the roots cannot freely extend in search of food ; 

 nor can this food be properly prepared, and transmitted 

 to the plant, unless the soil be so pulverized as to permit 



