THE MANSE GARDEN. 195 



degree of frost, when the turnip is required for use, 

 may be disengaged by steeping in cold water; and 

 as frost proves destructive rather from quick thawing 

 than from intensity, the following method of preserv- 

 ing is the best for all purposes: Injury is rarely 

 sustained before the middle of winter; at which 

 period take up the crop, separating for the table the 

 well shaped bulbs which by that one argues all 

 other good qualities and consigning the remainder 

 to the cows. It is immaterial whether the taproots 

 be cut off or not, but the leaves must be kept entire. 

 Make a rut with the spade six inches deep, into 

 which place the turnips in close order, and cover 

 them an inch or two overhead, allowing the leaves, 

 which serve both to exclude the frost and to main- 

 tain the growing powers of the plant, to spread above 

 ground. The covering of the first drill prepares for 

 the second ; and as the order is nearly as close in the 

 one direction as in the other, very little ground is 

 occupied, and the work is not tedious. In the farm 

 the like operation is quickly performed with the help 

 of the plough. 



With regard to the enemies of this crop, a sprink- 

 ling of quick lime, which must be repeated after rain, 

 has been found to check the ravages whether of slugs 

 or of the fly. Should these spoilers, however, con- 

 tinue till the appearance of vegetation is almost gone, 

 it is yet surprising, if there be plants, how soon they 

 gather strength and cover the ground ; and though 

 no remnant should be spared, it is yet seldom neces- 

 sary to want a crop. Dig the ground afresh, and 

 the second sowing will in all probability advance un- 

 molested : the snails are put out of the way, and 



