230 



On the Bes t Mode of Storing Turnips. 



farm-yard, and consequently be more expensive for removing the 

 turnips to the houses in which the cattle are fed. 



Having thus far observed the different modes of storing the 

 turnip, it will also be necessary to consider the covering best 

 adapted to preserve them when stored from the action of the 

 elements. In Cornwall and Devon, where the greater part of the 

 wdieat-stalks are made into reed, that is the principal article of 

 covering. It is laid on in a temporary manner about 4 inches in 

 thickness, and is secured by ropes spun from the same material, 

 and placed across the reed and fastened with short spears made 

 of wood and twisted near the centre, and thus forming two points 

 between which the rope is taken, the spear being thrust into the 

 turnip, or by placing ropes longitudinally across the reed, over 

 which other ropes are placed in a transverse direction, intersecting 

 the longitudinal ones at right angles, and the ends fastened to the 

 sides of the pile, or to stakes driven into the ground. As the 

 turnips are consumed, the covering is applied to the purposes of 

 making manure. 



The various sorts of turnip, like miost other substances of the 

 vegetable kingdom, appear naturally disposed to decay in pro- 

 portion to the time they occupy in arriving at maturity. The 

 white turnip, wdiich grows fastest of all, is soonest past for use; 

 although it does not rot as some other sorts do, yet its tendency to 

 get spongy is equally bad, for so soon as it has acquired that 

 defect it is refused by the cattle. The green is very little better, 

 and is but seldom grown with us, beini? considered inferior to the 

 white ; these sorts do not answer w^ell for storing, except for a 

 short time. The yellow is far superior to either, and will keep 

 well for some time ; they ought not to be kept after February, 

 for they then become spongy like the wdiites, and are refused by 

 the cattle after that period, whilst the swede, from its solid sub- 

 stance and the close texture of the rind, resists the action of the 

 air for a much longer period, and by being stored in the manner 

 described and recommended wiW keep until the months of May 

 or June, in which last month the writer has seen them sought 

 after by the cattle and eaten with avidity. 



The system which has been in use for taking up the turnips 

 and removing them from the ground has undergone but little 

 alteration since it was first introduced. 



The sowing of the seed in raised drills is but little practised 

 here. The ground, after having been w^ell manured, is ploughed 

 down and well worked, and thereby brought into a sufficient 

 state to receive seed ; the drill deposits it into little furrows which 

 it makes in its progress, the seed is covered with a brush made 

 with the tops of wood fixed into a hurdle, which is drawn close 

 after the drill, and in the same direction. In the autumn, when 



