Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-03-02
horticultural.


MEssRs. EDtroRs-I have lately been very
much interested in reading the reports Of the
discussions on various agricultural subjects
at the weekly meetings of the Harvest Club
Of Springfield, Mass. At one of their late
meetings the subject of root culture was un-
der consideration, and the report is so rcpleto
with instruction and practical information,
that have transcribed portion Of it for the
perusal Of the readers Of the Co. Gent. who
may not have access to it in any other way,
believing that the information it contains will
be highly beneficial to those who are Just
commencing the cultivation eff root crops.
THE aggregate number of bushels raised
by seven members Of the Club the past sea-
son, was $4,000, and one member harvested,
1000 bushels. One gentleman whose roots
were chiefly MANFRED in the drill with highly
stimulating fertilizers, stated that his man
Colds grew finely the first part of the season,
but apparently stood still the latter part and
the roots were the largest where there had
been manure heaps Ruta bagas grew upon
the ground the year previous. His drills
were two and half feet apart, and the roots
about eight inches. Six pounds of seed were
sown to the acre with machine. One and a
half acres produced twcnty-eight tons OF
mangolds. but judging from the best portions
Of the field less land, if richer, might have
yielded a larger crop. Another gentleman
who raised $50 bushels on one-fourth of an
acre, said he prepared his land by spreading
fine manure broadcast on plowed land, and
marking the rows thirty inches apart with
common horse marker. That he sowed the
seed by hand, believing that the seed wasted
by machine, and the expense of thinning
would amount to more than the extra expense
Of sowing. He said that the leaves grew
heaviest on low wet land, and that the root
was as large on dryer soils with a smaller
leaf Early in September he went through
his field and plucked off about six of the
lower leaves Of each plant placing them in
heaps. In this way six ono-horso wagon
loads of green fodder wore obtained for stock
Cattle and swine are fond of the leaves
About three weeks later the leaves were again
stripped for the same purpose, leaving moth
ing but few stalks on the top of the root
The roots received no injury from this treat
ment, for the yield was not less than thirty
tons to the acre, and single specimens weigh
ed over ten pounds. This gentleman be-
lieves that for field culture the rows should
be further apart, say three feet and horse
labor more introduced. He thinks that some
manure would lie useless between the drills
at this distance, and consequently would
pillow out his drills, fill them with fine ma
nure, cover the manure with pillow, and SOW
his seed by hand where it was wanted 1t
takes about one-third less manure and twice
as much labor to manure in the drill, as to
scatter broadcast. Manuring turnips in the
drill had been tried, and its result liked. If
the farmars can afford the manure, there is,
Of course, no objection to manuring broad
cast. In relation to the carrot, one gentle.
man said that carrot seeds do not all germi-
nate, and therefore | SOW largely. 1t is rare
ly properly cleaned, and therefore rub off
the beard of the seed, and sift it before sow
ing. The beard of a seed clogs a machine
and prevents an overflow. Eighteen inches
between the rows is sufficient. Have had
carrots four years in succession on the same
ground, and this year sowed one and a half
pounds Of seed on one-third of an acre, and
the crop measured eight tons. Carrots do
not increase the flow of milk when fed to
cows. At the rate of 3S tons per acre had
been raised in the garden of one man. An.
other gentleman had raised turnips on turf
and although it was an unlavorable season
when the trial was made, he had fair cror
where stable manure was used, and not much
but tops where 400 or 500 pounds of guanc
alone were used.
Turnips make more milk than any other
root, and some think of poorer quality. 1t
was thought that parsnips could be raised as
easily as carrots, and more easily stored.
These are better if left in the ground all
winter. They increase the quantity and
favor Of milk and butter. They should be
sown in drills about three !eet apart, and
yield about 400 bushels per acre. The seed
is uncertain if more than year old. Swedes
OF ruta bagas do better the second year on
the same ground in some cases. The cost o
raising was variously estimated, but two
members stated that they had raised both
carrots and turnips for five cents bushel
The former was considered cheap, and the
latter twice what it ought TO be. The mode
Of harvesting was discussed For Swedes.
some advised to pull them two at time, ran
them together to get the dirt off, lay them in
rows with the butts all one way and with a
Ratchet chop off the tops others cut off the
tops while standing aud dig them afterwards
For mangolds, pull rap and lay six rows TO.
gether, and then wiring of the tops. Fol
turnips. lay two rows together, and in that
position cut them with a heavy knife. A man
that understands it will pull aud cut 100
bushels in day A member of the Club
has had 500 bushels pulled and topped by six
men after o'clock, a. NJ, and ! 60 bushel.
of carrots dug and cut in l-2 hours by two
men and boy. The theory that the man
gold should be handled carefully in storing
was disproved by the statement that in on,
case they kept good last year till the 10th o
May, where they had been tumbled into ,
cellar seven feet deep, aud many Of then
broke in falling. 1t will do for mangolds tc
be stored deeper than turnips These last
should be overhauled in the cellar to let the
dirt rattle of, and Should not be laid more
than four feet deep. Turnips grow less il
outdoor heaps If lined with straw and cover,