Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1855-03-29
farmers Department.
Root crops for Cows.


CULTURE OF FIELD BEETs AND CARROTS.
In answer to the inquiry, What is the best
kind Of root crop adapted to this climate, for
feeding milch cows in winter. we stated 10 our
last paper that ve gave the preference to the
Sugar Beet or the large Field Beet. (MsLgel
Wurtzel. In most parts Of Ohio the soil is too
elayey, and not deep enough to grow ruta bag
as or carrots TO advantage-As these roots Te-
quire deep sandy soil, well manured. Besides,
our climate is too warm, and too subject to
droughts, for these crops to be raised with any
certainty Of success, even where the soil is suit
able. The same is msasurablY true Of common
turnips-but these are not suitable for cows
that give milk, and contain very little nulri-
meat, at best.
But beetS do well on clayey soils, II we'll
pulyeri2ed and enriched, and If the plants get
fair start in the spring, the crop will bear the
heat and drought quite WELL especially il the
ground has been subsoiled or deeply plowed.-
The crop is also less liable to failure from in
seets than the ruta bagas or other turnips, and
requires less hand labor in its cultivation than
carrots, while the yield per acre is usually
| greater than Of either of the others, and the
roots quite as valuable.
Cultvation.--Manure the ground literally,
as the roots are gross feeders, and plow as deep
as possible, without turning up too much OF
poor subsoil, as early in the spring as can well
be done-but by no means disturb clayey
ground while wet Harrow it fine and smooth,
then with a wooden marker, such as is often
used for corn, but having the teeth only feet
apart, mark off the rows, making little burrows
for the seed about an inch in depth; in these
drop the seed by hand, or any machine that
will drop them about to inches apart; then
cover With fine earth, by passing along with a
hoe or fine rake, and the work is done The
seed, however, should be previously prepared
by soaking it in soft water, standing in warm
room for or 8 days, then draining off the wa
ter, and mixing with the seed an equal quantity
Of sand; keeping it moist, and letting stand in q
warm place 2 or 3 days more, or ill the seed
begins to sprout. II the weather should be un.
suitable for preparing the ground or sowing,
the seed can be kept from sprouting, for mum.
Der Of days after being soaked by putting il in
a cellar, or other cool place. II the seed is
sown without preparation, it is very apt to
fail.
AS soon as the rows of plants are visible,
hoe the weeds out of the rows, and stir them
between with small plow or cultivator; and
when the plants have attained 3 or 4 leaves
and begin to crowd each other thin them out
to about 2 inches apart, and repeat the hoeing
and stirring the surface Of the ground sulli-
GENTLY often during the summer, to keep it
clean and mellow. The young plants, when
8 or inches high, will be found excellent as
greens Tor the table--hence few rows may
be left for thinning out as wanted for this pur.
pose.
Sugar Beets do not grow quite as large as
the Mangel Wurzel, hence they may be left
standing little closer than the latter. If any
farmers think it will be easier working the crop
with u plow or cultvator, if the rows are wi
der apart, of course they will put Ihem at q
or 3 feet.
The seed can be obtained at most of the seed
stores, at SO cts, per pound. About lbs. is
requisite for an acre Of Mangel Wurtzel, and 4
lbs. OF sugar beet, IS the latter is coarser seed.
The culture Of carrots is the same as of beets,
only the soil needs to be made deeper and the
crop will not bear drought as we'll. The rows
also may be little closer, and the seeds should
be dropped not more than or inches apart,
and the plants thnned to 3 or inches. Much
care is requisite TO keep the plants clear of
weeds, and the ground mellow, during the ear
y part OF summer.
The yield of these crops is very great when
all circumstances are favorable. We have
frequently known 1900 to 140O bushels produ-
ced to the acre, both OF carrots and beets. in
Western New York, and 1000 bushels is only
good average crop in favorable season; but
in our less favorable climate, 900 to 800 bush
els muss suffice.
|
These roots are easily saved during the en-
tire winter, by gathering them before severe
freezing, and storing them in the barn cellar,
or in pits, where they can be got at as wanted
We do not believe there can be much profil
in raising root crops for fattening any kind o.
farm animals, in this climste and where Indian
corn is easily raised but for increasing the pro.
duct of milch COWS in winter, and for feeding tc
ewes with lambs, &C., they are OF undoubted
yalue.-T Ohio Culliva,or.