ROOT CROPS. 123 



stable manure, well composted with sandy loam, at the rate of 

 eight cords per acre. For the present crop the land was 

 ploughed but once, and that about the 10th of May, to a 

 depth of about nine inches. The land was thoroughly pulver- 

 ized with Randall's cylinder harrow, and finished with a 

 common seed harrow. All coarse manure and cornstalks were 

 then raked off, and the land rolled with a heavy roller. The 

 cost of ploughing, harrowing, rolling, etc., was $5. I applied 

 eight cords of long manure per acre, being well mixed with 

 cornstalks, at a value of $40, upon the land. It was planted 

 about May 20, with Harrington's seed-sower, in drills, fifteen 

 inches apart. The seed was the Sweet German, used at the 

 rate of one pound per acre. Cost of planting and seed, $1.75. 

 It was cultivated three times with Harrington's hand culti- 

 vator. Cost of cultivating, weeding, and thinning, $12. The 

 crop was harvested November 13. The tops were cut off 

 with a sharp hoe, and raked off. The roots were pulled with 

 a strong potato-hook. Cost of harvesting and storing, $9.50. 

 Weight of turnips on one-fourth acre, 14,780 pounds, or 2461 

 bushels. Cost of raising, per bushel, about seven cents. 



Statement of George Howes of Ashfield. 



Carrots. — The piece of land contained forty- four • rods ; 



the soil a clayey loam. The crop of 1874 was corn and 



potatoes ; used one and one-half cords of stable manure. 



The crop of 1875 was beets and carrots; used three cords of 



stable manure. For the present crop used three cords of stable 



manure, which was spread on the surface and ploughed under, 



May 24. 



Cost of Crop. 



Value of manure upon the ground, . . . . $5 00 



Ploughing and other preparations, $6 64 



(Sowed the 25th of May, in rows two feet apart. The variety 

 of seed sown was the shorthorn and scarlet-horn.) 



Seed and sowing (cultivated by hand), 1 05 



Cultivation, including weeding, etc., 4 97 



Harvesting (harvested Oct. 10), 4 20 



Value of manure left in the ground, 2 50 



Interest on land, 75 



Total cost of production, $20 11 



