464 PRESENT METHOD OF TURNIP CULTURE. 
ravages were most fearful in tlie Rhenish Provinces, in Bel¬ 
gium, and Holland. The whole of these countries are flat, 
marshy, and swampy. I find in Mungo Parke's travels in 
the interior of Africa, and also in the works of that enlightened 
and scientific explorer, Dr. Livingstone; and Mr. Haycock 
informs me that that eminent and distinguished explorer of 
the Nile, Captain Speke, confirms their statements, viz., vast 
tracks of country are infected with pestilential fevers, deso¬ 
lating whole districts ; and that the course adopted there was 
to sleep in hammocks elevated fourteen feet above the surface 
of the earth, where they found they enjoyed a perfect immu¬ 
nity from disease. It would appear there is a certain law regu¬ 
lating this subtle gas, or whatever else it may be, that 
it cannot ascend beyond a given height, but is confined to 
certain lower strata of air, resting upon the surface of the 
earth; and thus, if occupying the stratum above, you are 
beyond its reach and influence. You are perhaps ready 
to ask me, “ Is it your suggestion, then, to have my cow 
( teagled up ' into an upper room, into the stratum above 
that in which the poison floats ?” If I answer you it is, you 
may possibly laugh at the bare idea; but is it, I would ask, 
irrational to surmise its value to our patient when we have 
proof upon proof of its certain and intrinsic value in man, 
and especially so when everything else has proved an utter 
failure. If there is a truth in it, the method of doing it can 
be readily accomplished, nearly as readily as removing her 
into another shed; and if it should prove a success, then I 
feel persuaded the philanthropist will not laugh at it, and 
science will then espouse it as one of her greatest and noblest 
triumphs. 
DOES THE PRESENT METHOD OF TURNIP CUL¬ 
TURE AFFECT THE PLANT, AND IF SO, ARE 
THE INJURIOUS CONSEQUENCES IMPARTED 
TO SHEEP? 
By D. Gresswell, M.R.C.Y.S., Louth. 
General experience admits the fact that the turnip 
crop is not so certain as heretofore, which by some people is 
thought to arise from the stock, or seed-growing, turnips not 
being sown early enough for the root to reach a full and per¬ 
fect development before their growth is stopped by cold 
weather; and that the seed, in consequence of being raised 
