PROPER PLACE IN THE ROTATION. 467 



then abstracting from it materials of less value in a man- 

 urial or fertilizing point of view than the turnip removes 

 (see analysis, p. 484), it draws, comparatively speaking, 

 but little from the surface-soil^ and leaves it in a better 

 condition for the succeeding straw crop. On light, sandy 

 soils it offers great inducements for cultivation, as on such 

 soils its produce is generally more satisfactory than that 

 of either turnips or mangolds, while the earlier period at 

 which it is customary to get the seed in, reduces the 

 pressure of labour at the usual turnip season. 



No one questions the value and importance of our 

 root crop to our present system of farming, and most of 

 us have noticed the increasing tendency to disease and 

 deterioration which our turnips have exhibited of late 

 years good and timely warning that we should not rely 

 so entirely as we have done upon them for our necessary- 

 supplies, but should seek for another plant which should 

 supply a deficiency, or in the event of entire failure be a 

 substitute for them. In money matters we think it more 

 prudent to divide our investments in different undertak- 

 ings, where the success of one should balance the failure of 

 another, than to trust all to the uncertain fortunes of a 

 single one, however fair its prospects may be. If this is 

 good policy in the counting-house, it surely is good policy 

 on the farm, where the risks are greater, and the chances 

 of success or failure less within our control. If we rely on 

 the turnip for our root supply for winter food, and it fails 

 us, as it has to a great extent done so often of late, from 

 insect ravages or climatal causes, the whole of our farm 

 arrangements are affected our live stock must be dimi- 

 nished or kept on purchased food, and then our home- 

 made manure suffers in quantity, or is produced at a higher 

 rate of cost. But if, like prudent administrators, we 

 invest our resources in two or more crops, differing as far 

 as possible in their habit of growth, their food require- 



