82 ON ROOT CROPS. 



five swine in very thriving condition, from the time 

 of the first thinnings until early in the lall — one of 

 them gained as much as fifty pounds on this keep. 



I have already taxed your patience too much, or, as 

 additional advantages to be derived, might be men- 

 tioned, the value of this crop as a thorough cleans- 

 ing and enriching one, as one which returns to the 

 soil more than any other, as a valuable crop in rota- 

 tion, and also as more than any other illustrating the 

 superior advantages resultin.g from high cultivation. 



It would seem that the advantages to be derived, 

 might be sufficient to induce the universal cultivation 

 of Mangel Wurtzel by farmers, for their own use. 

 But it seems our legislature has given its recommenda- 

 tion to the projectof raising beets for the purpose of 

 manufacturing sugar. This will be an additional in- 

 ducement to this part of husbandry, and it certainly 

 becomes farmers generally, to lay aside their prejudi- 

 ces and cavils, and to acquaint themselves immediate- 

 ly with the process of cultivation necessary. Then 

 if it should prove successful, they will be prepared 

 to enter rtpon it, without having the mortification 

 of seeing mere speculators take all the profits of a 

 business which naturally belongs to the cultivators of 

 the soil. 



The soil most suitable for the production of the 

 Mangel Wurtzel, or any other variety of the beet, is 

 a loam, rather dry than otherwise, the richer the 

 better. A sandy or even a gravelly soil will do, if 

 it be made rich and is well stirred frequently. But I 

 suppose on a wet, clayey, or a baking soil, they 

 would fail altogether. I believe it is generally rec- 

 ommended to raise them on the level ground, the 

 same as the common beets are usually raised in gar- 

 dens. When the soil is very deep and rich, perhaps 

 this will be the most economical way. 1 have prac- 

 tised ridging and prefer it for two reasons : 1st, you 

 get twice the depth of soil beneath the plants, and 



