On the Drill Husbandry of Turnips. 
67 
for cutting into troughs. However, it must be admitted, that what 
may be good policy in some cases would not do in others, and 
that this will be considerably affected by the relative demand 
for labour, as well as by the abundance or otherwise of turnip- 
land. 
I had observed that, although swedes require deeper and richer 
soil than white turnips, this could not be the only difference they 
needed, because I never saw good swedes grow near a high hedge, 
although, by the sheep lying there, cScc, the hedge-sides are ge- 
nerally the richest part of the field. On the other hand, if you 
sow white turnips they will be larger as you approach the hedge — 
as a consequence of the richer soil — just about in the proportion 
that the swedes become smaller notunthstandin g the richer land, 
because, as I concluded, they require more air than white turnips. 
I therefore used to drill the swedes In rows about 27 inches 
apart, whether on level or ridge. For the reason above given 
I used to sow the outsides of the fields, especially where the 
hedges were high, with v)hite turnips, thereby gaining an immense 
quantity of turnips, which, from the richness of the soil, could all 
be spared for drawing off and consuming elsewhere, from land 
which, if sown with swedes, would scarcely have had any produce. 
I observe Mr. Grey, in his able report of the state of agricul- 
ture in Northumberland, says, " Swede turnips, Avith dung, are 
sown upon drills of the width of 27 inches from centre to centre, 
and white turnips on drills from 28 to 30 inches, with bone- 
manure ; and, for spring food, a width of 26 inches is sufficient." 
From this there appears reason to suppose, that the farmers of 
Northumberland think white turnips require more room, in order 
to attain the proper size* (1 will not say the heaviest produce per 
acre), than swedes do. 
My own opinion I have already given. I fully agree with Mr, 
Grey in the following passage : — " A large weight cannot be pro- 
duced but from large bulbs. A moment's consideration will show 
that the last inch in the diameter of a large turnip will of itself 
be equal to several small ones : even in this, howevei', a medium 
is to be observed ; for very large turnips, if not consumed early, 
do not stand long, and are inferior in nutritious quality." I would 
also add, this deterioration in quality, as the size becomes large, is 
inuch more observable in white turnips than in swedes.f 
* Because, in Northumberland, if the season be favourable, the white 
turnip throws out so much top that the extra space is required both to 
admit a sufficient supply of air and to give room for the growth of the 
bulb. — John Grey. 
•i" As the Society wish to know the different modes of cultivation em- 
ployed by practical farmers in considerable districts, I here beg to draw 
F 2 
