Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-08-17
AGRICUL u R A L..
From the Ohio Cnltivator.s
THE TURNIP-lTS VALUE AND Gull
TTVATION.

TlVAIIUN. h
The first thing that would become the sub
iect of remark by an European, when lnvesil-
eating the character of American agriculture,
IS the almost entire neglect here given TO the
cultivation of the turnip. The culture OF tur-
nips has contributed more towards establish
ing high character to English and Scotch
husbandry, than any other source In TACT 1t
has done for them, what corn and clover are
rapidly effectng for the agriculture OF Ameri-
ca. In many portions Of the Union, especial
IL in Ohio and other western States, the iar-
mers have advantages, that are not possessed
by the British farmer, in the cultivation OF ms
tnrnip crop. 1t would be well in discussing
the subject, to decide if possible, the point
whether American farmers act wisely, IN al
lowing those superior advantages TO go unIm-
proved. 'Ea s@
Turnips may be cultivated with success, as
a second crop whereas, in the northern coun-
tries OF Europe this can rarely be done, and
therefore whole years rent of land, besides
two or three ploughings, and as many hand
and horse hoeings have TO be charged against
the crop. At least one-ffth of The arabic land
of England and Scotland, is cultivated annu-
ally with the numerous varieties OF the Sweed-
ish and English turnips, and the greatest por-
ton of the manure made on the farm, together
with all that can be purchased In the neigh
boring villages and towns, besides expendng
large sum in the purchase of mineral man.
ures, are literally though economically en-
ployed in enrching the turnip fields. Now
much of this expense and trouble may be dis
pensed with here, without in the slightest de-
gree efecting the yield of tubers. "a
A profitable course to pursue in growing
| .urniPo extensively, is 10 plough up the land
as soon as. the wheat crop is harvested, then
harrow two or three times, and rollthe ground,
so as to get fine smooth surface. The last
week in July the seed may be sown at the
rate of one pound per acre, and should be
lightly narrowed in. If the turnip fly or any
other insect should attack the plants so as 10
hazard the crop, it would be we'll TO sow quick
lime and house ashes in nearly equal parts, at
the rate of four bushels per acre over the young
plants. If this be done in the morning when
the dew is on the plants, it will be the means
of saving them, so as 10 secure crop in most
cases. The top dressing will act as a
stimulating manure to the plants, and will be
found 10 impart healthy appearance to the
crop, that it otherwise would not possess.
II would doubtless be considered bold pro-
position to recommend the culture OF turnips
in drills, upon scale so extensive as is prac-
tced in Europe. We are aware that few
could acquiesce in such an opinion, and in
rare cases only will the plan of depositing the
seed in rows receive favorable consideration.
The day, however, is not far distant, when
the stock growing farmers will devote more
attention TO this important branch of farming
and it is for their especial benefit, these re-
marks have been penned.
One deep and neatly executed ploughing,
where the soil is tolerably rich and moist, is
all that would be required, after wheat, to Sc
cure fair average crop of turnips. In addi-
ton to this, from two to three borrowings and
a rolling would be necessary, before the seed
would be sowed or drilled in. Where suita-
BILE machine for the purpose can be had, and
large extent of ground is to be sown, the
drill should be employed. The advantages
arising from the use of this implement are =
the seeding is performed with great neatness
and regularity the seed will germinate more
regularly and speedily; the ground may be
cultivated successfully with either the hand
or horse hoe; and only about one half the
quantity of seed used in broad cast sowing
would be required. The poughing, harrow
ing, rolling, seed, hand hoeing and two horse
hoeing, if the work had to be given out by
contract, and the operators were 10 find them
selves, would not exceed 81 per acre. The
yield might be safely reckoned at 800 bush
els per acre, and under favorable circumstan
ees. twice that quantity would be had
The largest crops OF turnips could be grown
upon what is usually termed bottom lands
On those lands wheat is usually cultivated af-
ter corn, and the frequent hoeings given the
corn, so thoroughly cleans the land, that few
70 h.
crop. So soon as the wheat harvest is over,
which is generally the case by the 9th Or 18th
of July, the ground might with advantage be
ploughed UP and sown with turnips. If il be
not convenient TO drill in the seeds, after the
surface has been made perfectly smooth with
the harrow and roller, it may be sown broad
cast. AS late as the first of August would
answer, but it has been found that the best
period for sowing, is from the goth to the 3Oth
of July. When sown broadcast, the plants
should be carefully thinned out, so as not TO
be closer than fifteen inches asunder, and if
even the crop was hand hoed twice for the
purpose of thinning the plants and destroying
the weeds, the cost would be well repaid by
the increased yield ofthe crop. In most parts
of the country, laboring men can be had at
the season for hoeing turnips, who would be
glad to undertake 10 clean and thin crop OF
turnips, no matter how large, for one dollar
| per acre. for each hoelng.
The expense of drilling and hoeing crop
of turnips, according to the foregoing sugges-
lions, may deter many of our readers from
sowing even small quantity of this valuable
| root, if so, we shall fail in accomplishing the
good intended. The wisest course to pursue
in this, as in all other measures for the i'm.
provement of the agriculture of our country
is for each individual farmer TO try the sug
gestions, if they appear feasible on a small
scale; one acre would answer as good pur
pose as twenty for a trial. and If it should no
meet with favorable issue, the loss wouli
scarcely be felt. zt.e.zz .s
If a large quantity of sheep or horned cat
tie be kept on the farm, it would be found {
profitable practice to plough up as much o
the stubble land as possible, and sow thu
ground with turnips, for the purpose of OBJ
tanning crop of heritage to be fed off during
the latter part of autumn If the turnip seet
be sown for this purpose during the first 0
August, the stock may be allowed to feet
down the crop by the middle of October, ant
in favorable seasons even at an earlier period
Where this plan is practiced, even if the GRO
be not hoed, highly nutritious feed of vege
tables for cows, fat cattle, calves and shee
will be secured, and besides the land the fol
lowing season, will he in excellent condition
for corn or other summer grain.
1t would be well 10 here remark, that
would be useless to sow turnip seed on lnveI
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