On the Drill Husbandry of Turnips. 
63 
but weeds, being of a more hardy nature, were both abundant 
and flourishing. In this state, as nearly as I can describe it, 1 
found the field when my friend did me the honour to ask my 
advice as to the best means to adoj)t with respect to it. By my 
direction a number of men were immediately set to chop off the 
sides of the ridges with turnip-hoes, so as to reduce them to a 
level with the turnip-plants. The turnips were'then vQlled, which 
broke the soil around them to powder, and made the plants stand 
out clear of the ground, and exposed to the wind. The spaces 
between the rows were then scuffled, and the field at once pre- 
sented a neat and clean appearance. The beneficial effect of the 
plan here adoj)ted exceeded my most sanguine expectations, and 
certainly was a matter of great surprise to all who witnessed it. 
The rolling (which could not have been done before the banks 
of the rows were taken off, without burying the young turnips) 
not only put the soil in a better state, fastening the roots of the 
plants in a fine mould, but exposed the turnips to the wind, 
which accelerated their growth not only by blowing them about, 
but by removing their greatest enemies the flies, which, I have 
observed, are generally found in sheltered situations or hollous 
in the soil. 
After the process above named, it was evident that the means 
used would be highly beneficial, and in the two following days 
the plants grew more than in ten days before : in short, they were 
soon ready to hoe, and, by choosing a short period of damp wea- 
ther to transplant a few, the field became a very excellent and 
full crop. 
From having seen the great and various benefits derived by 
this almost accidental rolling of plants on ridges, I adopted the 
practice of rolling them on level, when the season was favourable 
lor that purpose, and can strongly recommend it for the above 
reasons, not only as having been my own practice, but as now 
followed by others, whose opinions are entitled to the highest 
respect. The roller used for this purpose was of oak, and about 
9 inches diameter, divided into two pieces, to render it suitable 
for turning about, as well as to press the land more uniformly. 
It had shafts, and was drawn by one horse, although made as long 
as cou'id go through a common gateway. The description of 
roller used is of great importance, for our object is, to obtain a 
decided and uniform effect on the surface, without fastening the 
soil too much below. 
Previous to hoeing, it is desirable to have the land horse-hoed, 
as closely to the rows of plants as practicable, that the hoers may 
have directions to clean all the ground of weeds which has not 
been cleared already by the horse-hoe. 
When the weather is favourable, horse-hoeing will not only be 
