U 7 
SUPPLE 
E RURAL HE 
LAWES AND GILBERT’S EXPERIMENTS—NO. 2. 
TURNIPS. 
by josBPH Harris. (See Editorial page, 172.) 
The experiments ou Turnips were commenced in 1843, and were continued till 1852, when 
three crops of barley (1853-1855) were grown without manure. For the next fifteen years 
(1850—1870) Swede turnips were grown year atter year. 
Sugar Boots were grown after the Swede Turnips, from 1871 to 1875, and after that (1870 fo 
the present time) Yellow Globe Mangel Wurzel were grown year after year ou the same land. 
The variety of turnip grown the first six years of the experiment was Norfolk White—a 
round, white, rapid-growing turnip that can be sown much later than Swede turnips or ruta¬ 
bagas, and comes to maturity earlier. The following table shows the results on three of the 
plots the first t hree years.—See Table 1. 
TABLE 1.—NORFOLK WHITE TURNIPS. ROOTS PER ACRE. 
Years. 
No Manure. 
Superphosphate. 
Superphosphate and 
Sllxed Alkalies. 
4 tons, 3% cwt. 
12 tons, cwt. 
11 tons, 17>^ cwt. 
1844. 
2 “ 4 
7 " 14% “ 
5 “ 13% “ 
1845. 
0 " 13)$ “ 
12 “ 13% “ 
12 “ 12% “ 
After the third year, the turnips on the no manure plot, as we understand the matter, were 
so small that the crop was not weighed. 
In 184(5, a plot (No. 3) that had received a heavy dressing of gypsum (sulphate of lime) in 
1845 was substituted for the no manure plot, and we have the following results.—See Table 3. 
TABLE 2.—NORFOLK WHITE TURNIPS; FOUR SEASONS, 1845-1848; ROOTS AND LEAVES CARTED OFF THE LAND—AVERAGE YIELD PER ACRE. 
EACH PLOT MANURED AS SERIES 1, AND CROSS-DRESSED AS UNDER- 
SERIES 1. 
MANURES AS UNDER; NO CROSS-DRESSING. 
Series 3. 
Series 4. 
Series 2. 
No Cross-dressing. 
160 lbs. Sulphate 
Ammonia. 
75 lbs Muriate 
Ammonia. 
160 lbs. Sulphate 
Ammonia. 
75 lbs. Muriate Ammonia. 
1840 lbs. Rape cake. 
Series 5. 
1840 lbs. Rape cake. 
AVERAGE PRODUCE, PER ACRE, PER ANNUM. 
1’ojt .‘i.Gypsum, 1815; without manure 1846 and since (average 1846, ’47, ’ 48 ). 
.Superphosphate, each year. 
6, 7....Superphosphate, each year; ami Potass 184 7 anil 1848. 
Roots. 
Leaves. 
Roots. 
Leaves. 
Roots 
Leaves. 
Tons. 
cwts. 
Tons. 
cwts. 
Tons. 
cwts. 
Tons. 
cwts. 
Tons. 
cwts. 
Tons. 
ewts. 
1 
4 
0 
17 
1 
7 
1 
o 1 
5 
10 
3 
19 
8 
1 
2 
15 
9 
15 
4 
3 
10 
5 
0 
1 
3 
8 
10 
2 
19 
i 9 
18 
4 
8 
10 
1 
6 
8 
0 
2 
19 
I 3 
16 
5 
4 
10 
7 
6 
17 
Leaves. 
, This Is the conclusion Of the experiments with Norfolk WhlteTimilps. If we hail no other plot, except the one without manure, we might conclude that turnips could not be grown year 
lanu. w e might suppose that the roots secreted some deleterious substance. The third year of the experiment we have on the no manure plot 13}$ ewts. of bulbs per acre; on the plot alongside, inn 
phate, we have hi tons 13% ewts. of bulbs per acre—an Increase of nearly nUet<en hundred percent. • 
-•nr after year on the same 
manured with Superphos- 
The addition of potash and other alkalies to the superphosphate did harm rather than good. 
Looking at Table 2, it will be seen that the average yield of the no manure plot, for three 
years, was 1 ton 4 cwt. of roots per acre; with superphosphate, the average yield for four years 
was 8 tons lfi cwt. The addition of potash, soda aud magnesia, as before, added nothing to 
the yield. 
It should be stated that the Superphosphate, potash, etc., were drilled in with the seed in 
the rows the whole length of the field. The anunonia-salts, rape-cake, etc., were sown broad¬ 
cast across t he rows. In this way we have four series of experiments. For instance, on Plot 3. 
we have in Series 1 (A) uo manure, with a yield of 1 tou 4 cwt. per acre; (B) Ammonia-salts, 
with a yield of 1 ton 7 cwt. per acre: (C) Salts of Ammonia and Rape-cake, with a yield of 
5 tons 10 cwt. per acre ; (D) Rape-cake alone, with a yield of 0 tons 11 cwt. per acre. 
On Plot 5, we have the same number of experiment, the only difference being that on the 
whole length of the rows we have superphosphate drilled in with the seed, and we have (A) Su¬ 
perphosphate alone, with a yield of 8 tons 10 cwt. of roots per acre; (B) superphosphate and 
anunonia-salts, 0 tons 18 cwt.; (C) Superphosphate and Ammonia-salts and Rape-cake, 10 tons 
1 cwt., and (D) Superphosphate and Rape-cake, 10 tons 18 cwt. of roots per acre, but not as 
much turnip leaf as when the ammonia-salts and rape-cake were both used. The fact Is that 
the ammonia produced an excessive growth of leaf uud kept the turnips from maturing. 
And in this connection it may be well to mention that the turnips from the different series 
were fed out separately to different pensof Hampshire Down lambs. The turnips that, had been 
heavily manured with ammonia-salts and rape-cake, though containing a higher percentage of 
nitrogen, proved very innutritious. They produced scours; the sheep lost weight, and it was 
evident that the turnips were not ripe. 
Practically, it is quite clear that the one ingredient of plant-food that this soil lacked to 
grow common turnips was soluble phosphoric acid. This the superphosphate furnished, and 
produced a great increase in the crop. Rape-cake, which also contains phosphoric acid as well 
as nitrogen, increased the crop. This was doubtless due to the phosphoric acid, as the ammonia- 
salts alone had little effect on Plot 3, where no phosphoric acid was used. 
The next four years, instead of Norfolk Whites, Swede turnips or ruta-bugus wore grown. The following table gives the results : 
TABLE 8.—SWEDISH TURNIPS; FOUR SEASONS, 1840-1852; ROOTS AND LEAVES CARTED OFF THE LAND (EXCEPTING 1849, WHEN THE LEAVES WERE TOO 
SMALL TO WEIGH OR REMOVE)—AVERAGE YIELD PER ACRE. 
SERIES 1. 
MANURES AS UNDER; NO CROSS-DRESSING. 
EACH PLOT MANURED AS SERIES 1. AND CROSS-DRESSED, AS UNDER, IN 1849 AND 1850. 
NO CROSS-DRESSING IN 1851 AND 1952. 
SERIES 2. 
No Cross-dressing. 
Plot 3. . 
4 . 
5... 
6,7. 
Without Manure, 1816 and since. 
. .Superphosphate, Sulphates Potass and Magnesia, and Soda ash. 
.Superphosphate. 
Roots. 
Leaves. 
Tons. cwts. 
2 6 
7 17 
7 9 
6 16 
Tons. cwts. 
0 6 
0 10 
0 11 
0 9 
Series 3. 
200 lbs. Ammonia-salts. 
Roots. 
Leaves. 
Tons. cwts. 
Tons. 
cwts. 
3 17 
0 
6 
9 9 
0 
11 
8 14 
0 
13 
8 14 
0 
10 
Series 4. 
200 lbs. Ammonia-salts. 
2000 lbs. Rape-cake. 
• 
Series 3. 
2U00 lbs. Rape-cake. 
Roots. 
Leaves. 
Roots. 
Leaves. 
Tons. ewis. 
Tons cwts. 
Tons. cwts. 
Tons. cwts. 
. T 0 
0 17 
7 14 
0 13 
13 1 
0 18 
12 7 
0 15 
11 4 
1 1 
10 10 
0 17 
12 8 
0 17 
11 14 
0 14 
different manures. It. is worthy of special remark, however, that the uo manure plot produces 
a larger yield of Swede turnips than of the common autumn turnip. Swede turnips are sown 
earlier and are generally considered to require more manure than the more rapid-growing 
Norfolk Whites. It seems evident that the Norfolk Whites (and doubtless the same is true of 
our White Flat-Dutch and Purple-top Strap-leaf turnips, and similar rapid-growing varieties) 
require a larger supply of available phosphoric acid in the soil than the earlier sown and less 
rapid-growing Swede turnips. 
A ton of Swede Turnips coutains as much nutriment as 1 : ton of Norfolk Whites, and yet 
we may suppose, owing to their longer period of growth, the Swedes are able to produce with¬ 
out manure 2 tons (5 cwt. per acre, while the Norfolk Whites on the same land produced only 1 
ton 4 cwt. per acre. Later on we shall find other facts bearing on this point. 
The next year (1S53) the field was sown to barley, without manure of any kind, and also in 
1854 and 1855. 
Series 2. 
rapid-growing Swede turnips. | The following table gives the average yield per acre ou the different plots: 
TABLE 4. BARLEY, WITHOUT MANURE (AFTER ROOTS MANURED AS GIVEN IN TABLES 2 AND 3;) THREE SEASONS grovl^ rirge^roir^'wrcan.’“whit we^ad 
1853-1855—AVERAGE YIELD PER ACRE. i ..._ ,„ ... .. .. ,, 
better do with them after they are grown is 
—I- another matter—and a very important one. 
Series 2. Series 3. series 4. Series 5. which we may discuss at a future time. 
MiKIKS 1. - --j - !_j_ i >ur-tiling is rlear: tlieamiuoniu wbioh had 
Dressed Dressed „ frnw Dressed «. trnw Dressed been applied on Plot 3 for ton years and which 
-- ‘ Grain. __ aralu - " __ 0ram - __ the turnips had not appropriated, was of little 
Plots 3.;. BU t8% ,8 ‘ Bushels. Cwts. Bushels. Cwts. Bushels. Cwts. use to the barley, and yet, as we shall see iu 
iV.V.V.V.V.V.’.V."**.... 12 V 22% ,5 ” 25 14% 25*4 H?4j its proper place, a fresh appUeatlou of amrno- 
6 Hii<i 7.. .'.‘I;;;:. - ;;:. - ;;; is% lit* ii% nia or nitrate has a strikingly beneficial effect 
- 11 -!-U__I_y_ \ _ -J on barley We may conclude that the ammo- 
IV’V?' be remembered that the soil had grown ten aunual crops of turnips which had been carted off. It Is sometimes thought that farmers are exhausting '' rhi ch had been SOWU anduotappropriated, 
' *r ll * n<1 l, y tlu ; two of phosphates for wheat and other crops But although I’loi 5, where superphosphate hail been used, had grown far larger crops than Plot A and Lke that developed from the soil, is washed 
hese crops had been removed from the land It still produces more barley than Plot 3. The superphusphate enabled the turnips to take iio and c'onvert Into food ;_. . .. . , . ’ , , 
wi'iV ivi'.iVi Sfi ',, ,\ V 1 r,i‘ wlu ' 1 ,l,lll [ 1! *By set free from the Inert organic matter of the soil. When the plants could not do this for luck of phosphoric acid, the nitric add mt0 the subsoil, W here only deep-rooted plants, 
was washed out of the soil or leached Into the subsoil. like Red Clovert eau get it 
After the three crops of barley had been grown, the field for the next 15 years was devoted to Swede turnips year after year on the same land, the same manure being applied each year The 
following table gives the average yield per acre. 
SERIES 1. 
Dressed 
Grain. 
1 
______ 
Straw. 
Plots 3 . 
Bushels. 
tS.*w 
Cwts. 
101^ 
4. . 
20% 
21 
18% 
if 
107$ 
5. 
6 and 7.. 
— - --—_- _L 
Series 3. 
1 1 
Series 4. 
Series 5. 
Dressed 
Grain. 
Straw. 
Dressed 
Grain. 
Straw. 
Dressed 
Grain. 
Straw. 
Bushels. 
20% 
22% 
23 
201$ 
Cwts. 
12% 
13 
13% 
11% 
Bushels. 
245$ 
25 
26% 
25 
Cwts. 
154$ 
14% 
15 
14% 
Bushels. 
29U 
25% 
27 
35 
Cwts. 
16 
14?$ 
15% 
147$ 
icrs are exhausting 
ips than Plot 3. and 
convert Into food 
Id. the nitric acid 
dole gives the average yield per acre. 
TABLE 5.—SWEDISH TURNIPS; FIFTEEN SEASONS, 185(5-1870 (1). ROOTS AND LEAVES CARTED OFF THE LAND—AVERAGE YIELD PER ACRE. 
SERIES 1. 
MANURES AS UNDER-NO CROSS-DRKSSING. 
Pr0T | .Farmyard Manure, 14 ton*. 
i .loan, nut! .superphosphate 
o .. ... • ■ • "II " I |M|iri linin’ . .. . , 
•}.\VUhoui Manure, 1846,andsince .. ..... 
i .^uj*' il>hosi»litttc,cach year; Sulphate Potass, Sodaand'’Magnesia,'’i&ibtt)! 
;!.su porphosphate, each your. 
X.Superphosphate, each year; Sulphate Potass, i\V,ui'' 
u. i1‘otass, and lti% Ammonia suits, 1856 M. . . .. 
. L mnun - a, id #»hcci previously part 1'iimna ; part Superphosphate 
Tous. ew 
6 4 
In. Toils. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
EACH PLOT MANURED AS SERIES 1, AND CROSS-DRESSED AS UNDER- 
Series 2. 
5 years, 1856-1860. 
3000 lbs. Saw dust. 
328 Ilia. Nitric Acid. 
10 years. 1861-1870. 
550 Uis. Nitrate Soda. 
Series 3. 
5 years, 1856-1860. 
200 lbs. Ammonia salts. 
10 years. 1861-1870. 
400 lbs. Ammonia-salts. 
Series 4. 
5 years. 1856-1860. 
200 lbs Ammonia salts. 
3000 Sawdust. 
10 years, lS6l-lB7b. 
400 lbs. Ammonia salts. 
2000 lbs. Rape-cake. 
Roots. 
Leaves. 
Roots, 
Leaves. 
Roots. 
Leaves. 11 
Tons. cwts. 
Tons. ewts. 
Tons. cwts. Tons, cwts.! 
Tons. ewts. 
Tons. cwts. 
7 9 
I a 
8 8 
1 4 
8 16 
1 9 
7 13 
1 3 
8 5 
1 5 
8 14 
1 9 
0 19 
0 4 
0 13 
0 3 
3 6 
0 14 
5 2 
0 16 
4 12 
0 14 
6 12 
1 6 
4 13 
0 IS 
a 16 
0 15 
5 16 
l 7 
4 11 
0 14 
4 5 
0 IS 
(> t» 
1 2 
4 18 
0 It 
4 12 
0 14 
6 15 
1 4 
1 13 
0 5 
l a 
0 5 
3 19 
0 18 
Series 5. 
8 years, 1856-1860. 
9000 lbs. Sawdust- 
10 years. 1961-1870. 
2000 lbs. Rape-cake. 
RootN. 
Leaves. 
Ammonia. 
"Ammonia-salts," lit each case, equal parts Sulphate and Muriate of Ammonia of commerce: 
used as u cross dressing on the Plots of Series 2, from 1S56-1860, were estimated to contain Nitro- 
y oars—that te^thi'prodnee of o'eVt^cam^ ,ts '"“‘tiitvs were applied, and there would be accumulation within the soli for the succeeding crops, the 
things eouidnm™i^r.VM n l" V r * ,| ?“ P k P 8w , 0 l 1 « bintlps average only u cwts. of roots per acre, 
of pluntToodlu'thesouT' Fhir th.t'.w*Itosphorllc acid. And yet, so far as wheat and barley and clover.... 
t U.OU in Hi, soli. But there was not enough for the turnips In an Immediately available condition. 
u. iiuti tnere would oe accumulation within the soli for the succeeding crops, the average produce Is calculated as for 15 
rhese diminutive turnips, both root and leaf, coutalucd au unusually high percentage of nitrogen, which the poor 
are ooncerued, there Is evidence to show that there was no absolute detlelency of phosphoric acid and other ingredients 
