320 CULTURE OF FARM CROPS. 



unless the ground undergoes the usual system of plough- 

 ing, &c., which in most instances would be impracticable, 

 for it would become so late in the season as to render a 

 crop of swede turnips very uncertain." 



119. The same authority gave the following resume of 

 the various plans which had been introduced to protect 

 the plants from its ravages. " Some of my friends have 

 steeped the seed, a few hours prior to drilling, in a mixture 

 of the tincture of assafoetida and urine, believing that the 

 plant will be impregnated with the abominable odour pro- 

 ceeding therefrom ; but although this has appeared to 

 succeed in some instances, yet I know that there have 

 been seasons when the beetles have entirely destroyed the 

 crop. For my part, I cannot conceive this plan to answer, 

 for if you drill the seed after saturation it will no doubt 

 vegetate ; but if the weather should prove dry and the soil 

 likewise which frequently occurs at this period of the 

 year it would then cease to grow. I have heard of farmers 

 mixing the turnips with radish seed, expecting the beetle 

 would prefer the latter, and whilst feeding upon it the 

 former slips by into rough leaf and escapes. My opinion 

 is that there is no plant in creation which the beetle would 

 prefer to the turnip, and as this wary insect is found in 

 most parts of this country, how is it that we do not hear 

 of the radishes being destroyed by them in the gardens, 

 &c. 1 Some farmers drill every alternate row of swedes 

 with common or white-top turnips, believing the beetle to 

 prefer the common turnip, and, whilst feeding upon them 

 the former would grow out of their way. In advocating 

 this plan it would add expense and trouble, and in my 

 opinion, no beneficial expense would ensue. Again, others 

 adopt the following : after the plants are up they apply 

 either soot, lime, or chalk ; this I do not consider a prac- 

 ticable remedy, for when a heavy thunder-storm comes, 

 these applications would be washed off the plants and the 

 effect forthwith destroyed ; and, moreover, either of the 

 before-mentioned, on being sown broad-cast, and alighting 

 upon the leaves of the plants, checks the growth of them 



