Farming of the North Riding of Yorkshire. 505 
portion is consumed on tlic land, the object is to obtain moderate 
sized, firm roots, rather than larger and less solid ; and if cultiva- 
tors who pull off the whole of their produce were to look over the 
turnip-fields they might be disposed to find fault with their size. 
'I'he consumers of them, however, know their own wants, and 
attain them best by less bulky and thickset solid plants. 
The seed sown varies from 1^ to 2^ lbs. per acre. Many far- 
mers sow large quantities, on the supposition that they have a 
greater security against the fly. This great quantity renders the 
hoeing much more difiicult and expensive. Two hand-hoeings 
are given ; and to swedes three, and two horse-hoeings, when they 
are sown in ridges. 
The varieties of turnips are the white Norfolk, the yellow bul- 
lock, the Dale's hybrid, and the swede, A few sow red Norfolk 
and white stone, and Skirving's and Laing's swede ; but they arc 
comparatively few in number. 
VVe have observed that the great object sought was consolida- 
tion of the soil and manuring. Hence pulling off is the exception, 
and eating on the rule. Late in the month of October a jjortion 
is set off, varying with the number of sheep, and nets or hurdles 
separate these from the rest of the field. This is called a " break." 
The turnips outside this tem- 
porary fence for a distance of 
3 feet are pulled off and carted 
to the homestead to be con- 
sumed by the cattle, and to 
assist in making the straw into 
manure; and with this the best 
farmers give a little cake. The 
sheep are turned upon this 
break ; and when the tops 
and portions above-ground are 
eaten, they are pulled up by a peculiar drag, or " hack," as it is 
provincial ly called ; an idea of which is given above. The latter is 
preferred, as it leaves the fibrous roots in the soil instead of bring- 
ing them to the surface, because they will not be consumed by the 
animals. When this break is finished another is given, until the 
whole are consumed. A few farmers feed off their lambs before 
they are shorn, but no extra pains are taken with them. Shearling 
sheep are chiefly fed off, and no turnips are cut until the spring, 
when the change of teeth in the lambs of the preceding year ren- 
ders it absolutely necessary. It must be admitted, however, that 
it is a question whether the North Riding farmers are not in this 
particular behind those of the West Hiding and the county of Not- 
tingham, where slicing the turnips is an invariable rule, and by 
which the " hoggets " are fed off under one year old. 
VOL. IX. 2 L 
