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XV. — On Drawing Turnips. — An Essay to which the Prize of 

 Ten Sovereigns was awarded in July, 1839. — By Richard 

 Hopper, Esq. 



The growing of turnips during the last sixty years has given a 

 greatly increased value to the lighter soils in Great Britain. It 

 has imparted also a new character to agriculture itself. The Society 

 can, therefore, scarcely confer a greater favour on the cultivators 

 of land, than by bringing under their consideration the various 

 modes of management applicable to this valuable root, both as to 

 its growth, and as to its consumption. 



Although an inquiry in regard to the best mode of cultivating 

 the turnip is not included in the several questions to which the 

 attention of the competitors is directed, yet this Essay might appear 

 incomplete, did it not premise that much of the advantage to be 

 derived from the growing of turnips will depend upon the particu- 

 lar mode of their culdvation. Nor must this matter be overlooked 

 in connexion with the drawing and carrying away" of the crop ; 

 because the facility of that work will, in a great measure, depend 

 upon the plan which has been adopted in its growth. If, how- 

 ever, the land require cleaning or pulverizing ; if the farmer seek 

 after a quick growth, and comparative security against the ravages 

 of the fly ; or, if he would provide the means for drawing and 

 carrying off the produce, without injury to the land, or to his future 

 crops ; — he will find all these objects attainable by the making of 

 ridges at 27 inches' distance, so as to admit the wheels of a cart 

 in the spaces beyond 2 rows of plants. This space will, more- 

 over, be found to be rightly adapted for the ready and unequalled 

 operation of the horse-hoeing system. 



The first inquiry as to the best mode of drawing and carrying 

 turnips, both from light and heavy soils," makes no distinction 

 whatever as to the different modes of culdvation. If the old, 

 broad-cast plan be retained, no mode of drawing and carrying off 

 can be suggested which will not be injurious on every description 

 of land, whether light or heavy. On that plan, even should the 

 crop be only pardy drawn off, the plants must be exposed to 

 damage from their irregular position, as well as by the treading 

 of the horse. Were the crop sown on ridges, at the distance as 

 above named, the cart would proceed in the spaces between the 

 ridges, without damage to the plants or inconvenience to the work. 

 Taking for granted, however, that the old broad- cast phm of solv- 

 ing were to be followed, the best mode of drawing and carrying 

 away would be, by drawing the turnips on the half of two lands, 

 from the furrow to the ridges ; then laying them in proper heaps 

 on each side ; and, at last, by taking a cart down the furrow, for the 

 purpose of the several heaps being loaded and carried away. 



