THE TURNIP CROP. 297 



a time at rest, so that the weeds would grow, some farmers 

 would plough the land up, and let it dry for the reception 

 of the seed ; whilst others, again, would he so fearful of 

 getting rid of the moisture, that they would disturb the 

 surface as little as possible, contenting themselves merely 

 by a simple harrowing. Professor Tanner, who has had, 

 as he tells us, a fair share of experience in the growth of 

 turnips and swedes, says that he has always found a dry 

 seed-bed to he decidedly preferable ; and he says the reason 

 is not difficult to be understood, as thus : When seed is 

 put in the ground in which there is a moderate degree of 

 moisture, it speedily begins to germinate. The warm at- 

 mosphere which generally prevails at the season when 

 turnip-seed is put into the ground accelerates the growth, 

 and the plants speedily appear above ground. Eat the 

 very heat which is thus so favourable to the rapid growth, 

 is so far unfavourable that the moisture in the soil rapidly 

 disappears ; and the plant, no longer receiving its required 

 amount of moisture, languishes in its growth, and, keeping 

 poor in development, becomes liable to the attacks of its 

 enemies ; and this can only be prevented by the timely 

 fall of refreshing showers. Eut in the case of a dry soil 

 for a seed-bed, the seed lies dormant waiting for rain, 

 which, when it comes, pushes on actively the development of 

 the plant. The rains of July, when they do come, are so 

 liberal that they keep up the growth of the plant till it 

 passes safely the critical stage, and gets the strong root and 

 the rough plant, which enables it to withstand the attacks 

 of its enemies. With a dry seed-bed there is doubtless a 

 delay in the start of the plant ; but the Professor says, 

 " The delay is immaterial as regards time, but not so as 

 regards the safety of the crop. If the seed does germinate 

 during those intervals of dry weather, its existence is really 

 dependent upon a timely supply of rain ; but so long us 

 growth has not commenced, no fear need be entertained for 

 the crop. Dryness at the time of sowing becomes of 

 greater importance as the land gets lighter in its nature, 

 and more easily dried by the heat of the sun." 



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