Agricultural Chemistry — Turnips. 



515 



resource of matter for organic formations were secured ; so that 

 the number of experiments was raised to nearly 90. 



It is to b6 regretted that in the first two seasons of our experi- 

 ments, the acreage produce of leaf, and the relation of leaf to 

 bulb, were not taken; as climate and manuring have a marked 

 influence on the character of the turnip-crop in this respect, 

 besides that which is known to depend upon the mechanical 

 qualities of soil. A consideration of the relative and actual 

 amount of leaf is moreover found to be of material importance in 

 estimating the feeding value, degree of maturity, and probable 

 resources of further growth of the plant. All the statement 

 which we are able to give on this subject in reference to these 

 two years is, that both the acreage weight of leaf, and the propor- 

 tion of leaf to bulb, were much greater in 1843 than in 1S44; 

 there being in the former case a much more liberal provision 

 of organic matter remaining in the soil, though, at the same 

 time, a less amount of rain and a higher temperature. The 

 leaves were weighed in the third year, and so far as the effects 

 of different conditions of manuring, under the influence of one 

 and the same season, are concerned, the results obtained are of 

 some interest. 



The results of the third year (1845) are given in 5 sections or 

 divisions : and for the convenience of reference and examination, 

 the statement of the manures is attached to each of these divisions. 

 The different degrees of maturity exhibited under the influence 

 of the varying supply for organic formations, provided by the 

 cross-dressings, led us to weigh some of the crops at twice, that 

 their progressive changes might be ascertained. The order of 

 maturity which was observed was as follows: — 1st. The lengths 

 under drilled manures only (chiefly mineral). 2nd. Those 

 having rape-cake added. 3rd. Those having amimoniacal salt 

 added ; and 4th. Those with both rape-cake and ammoniacal salt 

 in addition to the mineral manures. The first weighing was 

 taken in December, when the leaves under mineral supply had 

 considerably drooped and changed colour ; the rest exhibiting 

 degrees of retained vitality in the inverse order indicated above. 

 The second weighing was taken early in January, and three 

 weeks later than the first, as will be seen on inspection of the 

 tables. 



