VEGETABLES. 135 



Making the cost, per bushel, at previous estimate, eight and 

 one-half cents. The price of ruta-bagas varies from $1 to $2.25 

 per barrel. 



Statement of J. L. Newhall. 

 Ruta-Bagas. — The crop of 1867 and 1868 was grass without 

 manure. Ploughed in the fall of 1868 about eight inches 

 deep, again in the spring of 1869 six inches deep, and just be- 

 fore sowing, about six cords of manure were ploughed in to the 

 depth of six inches, the ground harrowed and about 200 pounds 

 of superphosphate applied broadcast, the surface was then thrown 

 into ridges, and one and one-half pounds of seed, cost il.05, 

 sown on the top of these ridges. Value of manure on land, 

 $54 ; cost of ploughing and planting, $12 ; the crop was culti- 

 vated three times and weeded twice ; cost of weeding and culti- 

 vating, $15 ; the crop was harvested the last of October, the 

 roots were pulled and topped and thrown into piles in the 

 morning, and carted to cellar in the afternoon. Cost of har- 

 vesting, $10. Product of 136 rods, 17 tons. 



VEGETABLES. 



ESSEX. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



Any thrifty housewife who was compelled by untoward cir- 

 cumstances to drop into the dinner pot an onion weighing one 

 pound, or a turnip beet weighing six pounds, would consider 

 herself unfortunate, and when " boiled dinner " came to the 

 table John would not be expected to go into raptures over the 

 thick, coarse, sloughing layers of the onion ; the stringy, flavor- 

 less beet. Now an onion is grown for table use only ; and, as 

 a rule, turnip beets are grown for table use only. Why then 

 should a false standard be encouraged on our exhibition tables 

 by awarding premiums to specimens of these two vegetables, 

 whose size would render them utterly worthless for the table, 

 the only use now made of them. 



