into a somewhat extended notice of it, rather than the expecta- 

 tion of presenting anything new. 



The cultivation of the turnip as a field-crop, although known 

 to the ancients, and carried on with great care in Holland ior 

 many centuries, was unknown in England until its introduction 

 into Korfolk by Lord Townshend, about the middle of the last 

 century. Since that time it has been pursued with great indus- 

 try and skill, until the best varieties are found in that country. 

 The time may arrive when the seed of the root raised in this 

 country Avill be as good as that raised in England ; but it is not 

 so now. It may be some defect in our cultivation, which caus- 

 es the degeneration of the plant here ; but that this degenera- 

 tion does take place, there is abundant evidence. Possibly our 

 soil is not in condition to develop the root thoroughly ; the fact 

 that Swedes exhaust our new soil, would in some degree indi- 

 cate this. And yet it is said of the turnip crop — " it is indeed 

 the sheet-anchor of light soil cultivation, and the basis of the 

 alternate system of English husbandry, to which every class of 

 the community is much indebted." 



With us the crop prefers a light warm loam, which has not 

 been too highly cultivated for other crops, and is not too heav- 

 ily manured. We have found a great disposition in the best 

 improved turnips of England, to run to necks and heavy luxu- 

 riant tops, at the expense of the root, when sown on rich heavy 

 clayey soils, upon which root crops had been previously raised, 

 with excessive manuring. And while great care is taken 

 abroad in the preparation of the land for this crop, it seems as 

 if the rule was reversed here, and the less care the better. — 

 There can be no doubt that on light gravelly soils which have 

 been kept open by long continued cultivation, a good supply of 

 well rotted barn-yard manure is indispensable to turnips.- — 

 But such soil as this, upon which grass had been grown until a 

 strong sward has been created, may be ploughed late in June, 

 a light dressing of manure applied and harrowed in ; and by 

 using superphosphate in the rows, a good crop may be obtain- 

 ed. In England it is very customary to sow turnips after a 



