THE TURNIP CROP. 323 



hundreds were found on the front. The slots and screws 

 at each end of the side bars are for the purpose of keep- 

 ing the canvas constantly tight ; for when the sun is ex- 

 cessively hot, it is apt to expand, when it would come in 

 contact with the soil, thereby at once destroying the effect 

 of the preparation. By passing the machine over the 

 plants nearly all the beetles jump from the turnips ; but 

 there are a few, which, being so eager at work, will not stir 

 upon the approach of an enemy. In order to remove the 

 latter and entirely cleanse the plants of them, there is a 

 succession of curtains which waft or brush them off the 

 turnips. I had thought of introducing a revolving cylin- 

 der, with flappers, but upon reflection found it would not 

 be so effective as the curtains. The cost of manual labour 

 would not exceed 3s. per acre, presuming that the turnips 

 from the first attack of the beetle would get into the rough 

 leaf in six days. The turnips, as soon as they appear, 

 should be carefully watched, and when the beetles are first 

 discovered, at once apply the machine ; but many farmers 

 being engaged at this time of the year in the hay field ne- 

 glect this important consideration. These machines are 

 made of various widths, suitable for ridges from 20 to 30 

 inches." 



121. In his endeavours to escape the ravages of the fly, 

 the great object of the farmer is to have the plants forced 

 as rapidly as possible into the state of " rough leaf," in 

 which the fly is comparatively harmless. To aid this, the 

 action of good stimulating manure is of great importance, 

 but much, as we have already seen, depends upon the state 

 of the weather. 



122. (b) Finger and toe. This disease which affects the 

 turnip causes it to have an abnormal growth, in which, in 

 place of the usual round spherical or cylindrical form, a 

 number of long finger-like roots spring out from its lower 

 surface and its sides, hence the name. The disease is often 

 confounded with that known as " anbury," but w r e conceive 

 it to be different. Various theories have been brought 

 forward to account for this disease in turnips or in root 



