340 PRACTICAL AGRICULTURE. 



afford 4 per cent., and in the largest roots only 3 J per cent, 

 of their whole weight ; hence, one acre of the Swedish varie- 

 ty is equal to one and a half acres of the white. " No per- 

 son," says Lord Kaimes, " ever deserved better of his coun- 

 try, than he who first cultivated turnips in a field. No plant 

 contributes more to fertility." 



It appears from the investigations thus far made, that roots 

 are by far the most profitable crops cultivated by the farmer ; 

 and that their more general introduction would both increase 

 the value of the soil, and the quantity of productions from 

 the farm, from the dairy and from farm stock. 



Sect. 3. Cultivation of Grasses. 



Grasses constitute the principal food of farm stock, and, 

 reciprocally, the food of future crops ; hence, their cultiva- 

 tion must be an important branch of agriculture in almost 

 every country, but especially in countries in which from 4 to 

 6 months of the year, the earth is destitute of herbage ; as it 

 is in most temperate and cold climates. The points to which 

 the farmer should direct his attention in the cultivation of the 

 grasses, are the selection of seed, and soil adapted to the 

 character of the plant; the preparation of the soil ; the sow- 

 ing of the seed ; the time and mode of securing the crop, and 

 its comparative value. The cultivated grasses may include 

 what have been called herbage plants, of which the clovers and 

 lucern are the only kinds* which have been cultivated in this 

 country. 



I. Clovers. There are three species of clover, usually cul- 

 tivated by the farmers of this country, and two other species, 

 which have been cultivated in Great Britain, in which coun- 

 try clovers were first cultivated in the 16th century. 



* Sanfoin, bird's-foot, trefoil, parsley, burret, rib-wort, plantain, 

 broom, wild-flower, yarrow, etc. are of this class ; but are of little im- 

 portance, with the exception of sanfoin, which requires a chalky soil. 

 The bird's-foot and trefoil have been but partially cultivated among us. 



