236 WlSCOJSfSTir STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, 
selecting the plant to be left. It must often be held in its place 
with one hand, while the other is pulling out the superfluous ones 
and the weeds. Female fingers are very expert at this business, 
and it is often the case that, at a definite price per row, the neigh¬ 
boring girls will make a bee and do the job up quite expeditiously. 
For the remainder of the season a common cultivator, made adjust¬ 
able in width, is all that is necessary. 
All the operations must be thoroughly performed. I have had 
no experience on the farm which has taught me the importance of 
thoroughness equal to this matter of growing roots. Everything 
must be well done in order to reap success. The rows must be 
straight, the ground in good heart, and under good culture; the 
cultivation must be prompt, and then success is almost certain. 
I have never raised less than five hundred bushels from an acre 
with my poorest culture, and have raised nine hundred without ex¬ 
traordinary efforts. 
I have no resources but those of the ordinary farmer. I am too 
far from the village to cart manure. Every third year my land is 
in clover, and this keeps it up so that 1 feel at liberty to use my 
manure on my garden first, on my root patch next, and on my corn 
ground last. 
I have heretofore preceded my roots by potatoes on a clover sod, 
as the result of some experiments. I have concluded to plant them 
the coming season directly on a clover sod; to this end I have 
turned under five acres. As fertilizers, I shall make use of what 
ashes I can get — shall put on the waste of my lime kiln, and such 
manure as I may have in fit condition. It will not in all amount 
to much of an application. I shall rely mainly on the virtue of a 
clover sod, and in this I have great faith. 
In reference to my experience with varieties, I have tried ruta¬ 
bagas, mangels, sugar beets, carrots and parsnips. 
I have raised good rutabagas, but have found them beset by 
many insect enemies while small, and then they are sometimes per¬ 
manently stunted by hot, dry weather. I once raised a great crop 
by sowing the seed broadcast on new land. They carry more dirt 
than other roots, and are eaten with less relish by stock. I have 
better success with other roots. I use them to fill vacancies in the 
rows, as they may be sown as late as the middle of June, or even a 
few days later. 
