150 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



jury, and to effect this the seed should be plentifully sown, 

 and if possible, when the ground is moist, and always in a 

 rich soil. The seed should be steeped in some preparation 

 which experience has shown will the most quickly develope 

 the germ. Solutions of the nitrates or sulphates, urine, soot- 

 water, liquid guano, currier's oil, &c. impregnate the first 

 leaves with substances distasteful to their early enemies, and 

 thus a short respite from their attacks will be secured. Gyp- 

 sum, ashes, bone dust and poudrette, drilled in with the seed 

 are excellent forcers for the young roots. Charcoal dust ap- 

 plied in the same way has been found to increase the early 

 growth from four to ten-fold. When the fly, and bug, &c. 

 is discovered, the application of lime, ashes or soot, or all 

 combined should be made upon the leaves while the dew or 

 a slight moisture is on them. This leads the young plant 

 along, and kills such enemies as it reaches. Urine, diluted 

 sulphuric acid, (oil of vitrol,) and other liquid manures will 

 have the same effect. Ducks, chickens, and young turkies 

 and birds will devour innumerable quantities, and their pres- 

 ence should always be encouraged not only on this, but on 

 most of the fields. Dragging the surface with fine light 

 brush will lessen the slugs and insects. The ground should 

 be plowed just before winter sets in, w r hich exposes the 

 worms and the larvae of insects to the frost, when they are- 

 unable to work themselves into a place of safety. The seed 

 should not be planted on ground before occupied or near any 

 of the order of plants crucifera, cabbage, radish, mustard, 

 charlock and water-cress, as they all afford food for the ene- 

 mies of turnips and thereby tend to their multiplication. 



HARVESTING may be deferred till the approach of cold 

 weather, and in those sections of the country not affected by 

 severe frosts, when on dry soils, they may be allowed to win- 

 ter on the field. Otherwise they should be secured during 

 the good autumnal weather. This is accomplished most ex- 

 peditiously with a root hook, which is made with two-iron 

 prongs attached to a hoe handle. The use of a bill hook or 

 sharp knife will enable the operator to lop off the leaves with 

 a single blow, when they are thrown into convenient piles 

 and afterwards collected for storage. 



THE STORING may be in cellars or in heaps, similar to 

 potatoes, but in a cooler temperature as slight heat injures 

 them, while frost does not. If stored in heaps, one or more 

 holes should be left at the top, which may be partially stop- 



