ROOT CROPS. 87 



to the growth of sound, full, well-shaped roots, as they are apt 

 m such localities to " run to top, root and stalk." Having 

 ploughed and harrowed the land, and furrowed it into drills at 

 the distance of about thirty inches apart, the manure should be 

 distributed in them smoothly and well pulverized. It is impor- 

 tant, ahoaijs, in the application of manure, that care is taken to 

 have it covered with earth at the earliest possible moment ; the 

 amount of ammonia that is dissipated through negligence of this 

 important point is very great, frequently a large percentage of 

 the whole strength. The drills may be covered with the hoe, 

 or, still better, with the plough. The ridge thus thrown up 

 should be levelled off with the hoe, and the ground is then ready 

 for the seed. 



Says Dr. Loring, in an admirable report on root culture, with 

 reference to sowing ruta-bagas : " The time of sowing the 

 seeds must vary with the climate. On Long Island, Mr. Cob- 

 bett's trials of one year led him to prefer the 26th of June, but 

 in our own county* I would not pass the middle of the month. 

 Indeed, I think it expedient (in order to ascertain the fittest 

 time,) to commence sowing the seed as soon as the ground can 

 be prepared, after the planting of Indian corn, and to continue 

 in small plots, weekly, until the middle of June." The amount 

 of seed required to sow an acre is about two and a half pounds ; 

 this should be sown with a machine to receive the greatest uni- 

 formity ; if sown with the hand, the seed should be covered with 

 the rake to the depth of one-third or one-half inch. Tlie most 

 desirable variety is that known as Skirving's King of the Swedes, 

 both for its great yield and the superior quality of the root. 



Cullure. 



The same remarks apply to this root as to the mangolds, 

 regarding weeding, thinning, <fec. In case there are any blanks 

 in the rows owing to non-generation of seed, or accident to the 

 you^;ig plant, they may be filled by transplanting ; this should 

 be performed in damp or cloudy weather, and if moderate care 

 is observed, success is almost certain. The land should be kept 

 loose on the surface and free from weeds, and in case of very 

 wet weather, it is well to run a plough between the rows to 

 secure a perfect drainage. 



* Essex. 



