Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-06-03
In the cultivation Of root crops more a,

In the cultivation Of root crops more at !
tenion must be paid to the character of the
soil and to IFS condition, than for the cultiva.
ton of grain crops, and hence it is that many
farmers who have tried the beet and ruta
baga have failed, by not attending to the
proper conditions; but if the conditions are
adhered to, the crop is as certain and much
more profitable than grain crops. We will
now proceed TO point out the requisite con-
ditions for culture, with the theory of the ac-
ton upon the soil. Attention must be paid
to the following particulars.
l. The Soil--This should not be too light
and sandy, nor too stiff and clayey; a light
deep loan or auvial soil is best adapted to
this crop. If the soil is wet, that is, if water
is suffered TO repose upon the subsol, the
roots will be injured and the crop fail. The
soil should be dry, but not ject to drought.
Depth of soil IS necessary requisite for
beets and ruta bagas, in order that the roots
may have full liberty to penetrate as far as
needful for their perfection.
2. Il rich soil is another requisite to sue
cess. This is desirable for all kinds of grain,
but especially for root culture for although
roots do not draw upon soil like grain crops,
still there must be abundant food present, in
order to give them that quality aud perfcc-
ton which makes them profitable crops. 1t
may be that there is something in the const-
tuition or vital powers of these plants, which
renders large quantity of nourishment me-
cessary to their support. They may no,
possess the power of collecting food, like
other plants; they cannot gather up the nu-
triment SO readily, and hence must be fed
with richer food. The soil must be fnely
pulvcrized, and, so far as is practicable, freed
from stones. This is necessary ir order tina,
the roots may not be obstructcd; finally, they
should be kept free of weeds. The ground
should be stirred with the cultivator and hoe
If sowed in rows, as they should he, this may
be easily attended to with the pillow and cul.
tivator, without the necessity of resorting tc
the hoe more than once in the season.
Theory of the Action of Roots upon til,
SoiL.--1. They divide it better than mos
crops. 2. They deepen the soil by the
roots and 3. return TO the soil a largel
amount of manure than other crops.
Three acres of grass, at two tons per acre
will give less than 5000 lbs. to the cattle
yard, while one acre Of ruta baga or beets
will give 10000 lbs. or more than four time,
as much as the three acres of grass land. |
would, therefore, be economy for the farmer
TO raise roots merely for manure But the
one acre Of ruta baga or beets 600 bushels,
are nearly equal to three acres Of hay, as foot
for farm stock; hence the modes by which
roots improve the soil, are dividing and deep.
enng it, furnishing larger supply of food
which enables the farmer to keep large
farm stock, by which the quantity of marure
is increased. Manure is the great source o
fertility. In proportion, therefore, as roo
culture is made a part of a rotation system
we should expect the soils to increase in
fertility.-Gray's Scicntifc and Practical
Agriculture.