Somersetshire Farm-Prize Competition, 1875. 555 
The intermediate crops are chiefly fed on the land ; they are 
not usually manured, the only exception being for rye prior to 
mangolds, in which case the application is simply anticipated a 
short time. The preparation for roots after the consumption of 
the before-mentioned crops is simple. As much of the land as 
possible is sown after one ploughing, farmyard-manure being 
turned in with the last earth. That only once ploughed is 
Cambridge rolled to retain the moisture, and close folded with 
sheep at the rate of 800 to 1000 per night per acre. It remains 
in this state till time to prepare for sowing, is then scarified 
about 3 inches deep, harrowed and rolled to a proper tilth, and 
then drilled. Better crops are insured when the ground is thus 
prepared than after several ploughings. When close folded with 
sheep no artificial manures are used. 
Mangolds are sown partly after swedes, and partly after wheat 
followed by rye, as already described. After swedes they are 
never got in under two ploughings, and receive a dressing 
of about 15 cartloads of farmyard -manure per acre ; while after 
rye (provided it has not been put in for that crop), as much 
as 25 loads is applied to the acre. The Yellow Globe variety 
of home growth is sown at the rate of 6 lb. per acre on the flat, 
as are the rest of the roots. The rows are about 18 inches 
wide, and the plants are set out 10 to 12 inches apart. Reeve's 
manure-drill is used ; and 2 cwts. of Bernard and Lock's, or 
Odams's prepared bone-manure, and 5 bushels of soot per acre, 
mixed with a cartload of earth that has been saturated during 
the winter with the urine from the stables, are put in with the 
seed. ISIr. Hosegood prefers the Yellow Globe mangold to the 
Long Red, and affirms he can grow 10 tons per acre more of 
the former. He should be no mean authority, having for five 
t years successively carried off the premium for the best crop 
of mangolds within a radius of 20 miles of Taunton, with an 
average weight of 44 tons per acre, roots cleaned and tops cut. 
In 1872 his mangold crop weighed 64 tons per acre. 
„ 1873 „ „ 60 „ „ 
„ 1874 „ 35 „ „ 
Last year was the lightest crop ever grown by him, owing to the 
1 loss of plant by insects. The mangolds are not horse-hoed at 
all, the occupier having once tried it and found much mischief 
accrue. The other roots are sown about the same distance 
, apart on the flat, with the same quantities and description of 
I manures, and are singled at about 10 to 12 inches in the rows. 
I The Purple-top swede and Green Ring turnip are the varieties 
grown. 
Cabbages. — The plants are purchased at about 25. per thousand, 
2 0 2 
