ROOT CROPS. 213 



accurate answer can be given, as there are instances where the 

 produce of the Red exceeded that of the others, and so of the 

 Yellow and Orange, even on the same land. These variations 

 must be attributed to many circumstances, such as changes 

 taking place in the soil, climate, manures, <fec., which in most 

 instances, cannot be defined. The Orange variety, however, 

 appears to yield the best crops, and adapts itself to the greatest 

 range of soils.* The same observations may be made with 

 respect to the long varieties, amongst which the Red holds the 

 same position as the Orange amongst the Globe varieties. The 

 Silesian, or Sugar beet, is another variety, but as its produce is 

 generally much inferior to any of the other sorts, it is scarcely 

 ever cultivated as a direct food for cattle. On the Continent of 

 Europe, it is in some places — as for instance, France — grown 

 largely for the manufacture of sugar. 



With these preliminary observations, nothing now remains 

 but to enter upon its cultivation, and the first subject which 

 presents itself for consideration is the 



Preparation of the Soil. — Being a green crop, its place in 

 most rotations is after a corn crop. Assuming then, that the 

 land is in stubble, in autumn, and either thorough-drained or 

 naturally dry, it is to be treated in precisely the same manner 

 as if preparing for any other green crop. The land, whether 

 autumn cleaning is carried out or not (if it be, so much the 

 better,) is to receive a deep ploughing in autumn or early 

 winter. As this crop, of all others, requires deep culture, if 

 the field intended for it has not been recently subsoiled, and the 

 soil and subsoil suited for this .operation, it should be performed 

 now, the subsoil plough following in the track of the common 

 plough, and in this way the land is thrown over with a good 

 rough furrow, leaving a large surface to the ameliorating 

 influence of the winter weather. It is a common practice with 

 many farmers to plough in the farmyard manures intended for 

 the crop, at this season ; and if the land be well suited for 

 autumn manuring, it will not only materially forward the spring 



* On this (the Albei't Model farm,) where the soil is a rich loam, containing 

 a large amount of organic matter (over 14 per cent.,) and which is well suited 

 to the growth of Mangolds, carefully conducted experiments for several years 

 past, have shown that the Orange Globe invariably yields the largest and best 

 crops. 



