RUTA BAGA AND MANGEL WURTZEL. 91 



^30, but does not include the cost or worth of the manure. — Now 

 we have tried both methods. We have raised drills, or ridges 

 long and high, according to the minutiae laid down so particularly 

 by Cobbet ;* to the no small merriment of those who never heard, 

 or saw any thing of the kind ;t and we have marked out our drills 

 on smooth ground, by a wheel with pegs in it, planted our seeds in 

 the footsteps thereof, over which we trundled a wheelbarrow, as 

 directed by Powel. The result is, we are convinced, that in nine 

 cases out of ten, Powel's method is the best. 



It is in the soil which was cultivated in the experiment, which 

 to all intents and purposes is an argillaceous, or clayey soil. On 

 good soils the yield of both kinds of root, is very abundant. Pow- 

 el raised on one acre and fourteen perches of ground, 1631 bushels 

 of Mangel Wurtzel, weighing 78,448 pounds. 



There are many other instances of large crops on record. But 

 in nearly all of them, I find there was one very essential service ren- 

 dered the soil, viz : no small quantity of excellent manure ; and 

 yet the return in crop (in most instances) more than repaid all ex- 

 penses. Indeed, it may be laid down as an Agricultural maxim — 

 Always put on to the soil a little more in substance than you take off. 

 Manure may be considered as the raw material, which nature and 

 good cultivation manufactures into articles of tenfold value. 



The Ruta Baga and Mangel Wurtzel should be planted by the 

 first of May, if you would have them acquire a large size. For 

 the table, they may be planted later. We have planted them on 

 20th of June ; they grew sufficiently large for the table, — but this 

 is too late, all things considered. The soil should be deeply 

 ploughed and well pulverized, in order to allow the tap-root to 

 descend freely and deeply into it. 



There have been a great variety of machines invented for sowing 

 the small seeds, most of which are very expensive and complicated. 

 We would, however, recommend one very ingenious and very 

 simple contrivance, invented by Mr, James Williams, A figure 

 and description of it, may be found in the 8th vol. of the American 

 Farmer. It is simply a tube of wood, or tin, about 3 feet 6 inches 

 long, and may be one, two, or three inches diameter, as one may 

 wish. In order to use it, you fill your right waistcoat pocket with 



* See his " Year in America." 



t What are you making those sand winrows for ? said a wag to us while 

 engaged in the business, 



