PROFESSOR J. J. M APES' S ADDRESS. 611 



same number of cabbage plants as there are hills — just as the 

 white spots of a checker-board are each between four black 

 ones, and still are of the same number. Cabbages, during the 

 first thirty days of their growth, require moisture at the roots, 

 and in this low spot they receive it. Then also to encourage 

 them to strike root, they should be partially shaded. This 

 desideratum is supplied by the potato vine or top. During the 

 last thirty days' growth of the potato the top gradually dies 

 down, thus slowly and surely acclimating the cabbage by re- 

 moving the cause of shade. The digging of the potatoes proves 

 thorough cultivation to the babbage, such as could not be 

 afforded except in the gathering of a crop. Double rows of 

 white globe turnips may then be substituted for the potatoes 

 in each direction with a crop of lettuce or radishes between, 

 and thus four crops in the same season may be obtained. The 

 cultivation or stirring of the ground for all these crops, so as to 

 fairly compensate for the extra amount of manure which should 

 previously be applied where so large a product is intended. 

 Our time will not permit of an enumeration of all these sub- 

 successions, but the example given may prove sufficient to in- 

 duce inquiry. 



The raising of root crops is equally important to the farmer; 

 it enables him to keep more cattle and to supply himself with 

 larger amounts of manure for spring use. Many of these root 

 crops tend to clean the soil, and some of them, too, act as 

 mulch for the surface of ground during winter. Tarnips do 

 not exhaust land materially. Slight dressings of phosphate of 

 lime will insure a full crop. They are easily reared, requiring 

 but little labor and attention, and would be found useful to 

 insure a variety of food for cattle, milch cows, &c. The same 

 value of food composed of a variety will produce more milk or 

 more beef than when one kind only is used. Beets are also 

 extremely useful as food for cattle and milch cows. Parsnips 

 may be raised in ground not so well suited to the growth of 

 other crops. The most valuable of the root crops, however, is 

 the carrot; for while the amount raised is as large as that of 

 the beet, and nearly equal to that of the turnip, its value is 

 many times as great for most purposes. Cows fed during the 

 winter in part on carrots, will furnish large quantities of milk, 

 which will yield butter of as good a color and quality as when 



