PRACTICAL REMARKS 129 



Somerville of Newcastle, speaking of the experiments con- 

 ducted in the North of England, says: " As the result of our 

 experiences during the past four years, the following mixture 

 may be confidently recommended for application to turnips: 



(Slag i cwt. 



Broad-cast in Autumn j ^ 



(Superphosphate ... 3 ,, 

 Broad-cast in Spring i Dissolved Bones ... f 



/Fish Meal ... ^ ,, 



Applied in the Drill j Sulphate Ammonia ,, 

 ^Nitrate of Soda ... ^ ,, 



The above quantities may be used per acre without dung, 

 or one quarter may be applied with an average dose of dung." 

 The object of this elaborate scheme of manuring is to furnish 

 continuous supplies of plant food during the whole period of 

 growth of the crop. 



When farmyard manure is produced in large quantity on a 

 farm its free use for the turnip crop will follow as a matter of 

 course. The use of farmyard manure is especially indicated 

 when the soil is too open in texture, and retains moisture with 

 difficulty through the summer. 



The very numerous experiments on farms which have been 

 already referred to do not encourage the use of sulphate of 

 ammonia with a full dressing of dung. Mr. Cooke recommends 

 that when dung is used for swedes, 3 cwt. of superphosphate 

 only should be drilled with the seed. It is pointed out, how- 

 ever, both by Professor Wright and Dr. Somerville, that dung 

 may be used with much greater profit if a moderate dressing is 

 given to the turnips with some artificial manure. Professor 

 Wright's recommendation appears to be 10 tons of dung, with 

 4 cwts. of superphosphate, and f cwt. of sulphate of ammonia, 

 or i cwt. of nitrate of soda. 



The farmer's knowledge of the history and character of his 

 fields must clearly determine the precise quantity of manure to 

 be employed. There is one consideration, however, which 

 should not be omitted ; To what purpose will the roots be 

 put ? If the turnips are to be given in large quantities to sheep, 



