Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-06-28

VI VIC C'rnlp, contains aDOuC IWeiVe per CohO'
of dry matter. A bushel of corn contains
about so lbs of dry matter, nearly as nutritious
in all probability, as the dry matter Of the tur-
nip. Assuming that bushel of ruta bagaS
weigh so lbs, one bushel of corn contains as
much nutriment as eight bushels Of ruta bagas.
Therefore if corn is worth 81 90 per bushcl,
rutebagas are worth IL cents per bushel as a
simple article IF food without reference to its
seasoning qualities
The root crops with the exception Of the po'
tatoe, are too much neglected in this country,
the raising of the root crops. to feed to mich
cows, for fattening cattle and growing young
cattle and horses will pay well if rightly man
aged.
POTATOES
Although this important esculent, has not
been in general use but little more than GEN.
fury, it is too well known throughout the world
to require description. TO enter into the merits
or dement's of the numerous varieties in cultIva-
ton would lead to erroneous opinions, as a vari-
city approved in one section of the country
would be condemned in another.
The potatoe varies in quality in different soils
those that have an agreeable flavor in a light
soil will be coarse and rank in clayed OR reten-
tive one.
The potatoe when first obtained from its ma
tive mountains was small watery and even BIT
ter, By cultivation it has been brought into SO
high and refined state that most of the civilized
globe look at it as one of the most important
articles of food. A failure Of the crop would
truly be, to our farmers and community gener-
ally, serious calamity.
Since the disease that has become prevalent
throughout the country, it has become the
cause of much alarm great efforts have been
made to ascertain the cause, and find a remedy
Experience has proved that no unfermentod ma
nure should be used on any SOIL Wood ashes
prove to be a healthy stimulent, and can be APP
piled with good effect.
The best soil, in my opinion, for the growth
of sound potatoes, under all circumstances and
seasons, is sandy loan, resting upon porous
subsoil, with surface fat. and slopng just
enough to carry away the water proceeding
from heavy rain. But as every farm will not
give us this peculiar soil and situation, we must
make the best of what we have, keeping in
view one flct, however, that it is useless to
plant potatoes on wet ground, for they will
surely rot. The best plan is for the farmer to
select his highest, dryest and strongest soil
that which can be made BY cultivation to APP
proach the nearest that, which is the healthy
and natural soil for his potatoes.
And, as preventive against the disease. the
best time for planting, in my Judgment is as
soon as the land can be fitted in the spring
Late planting is serious error, for it is much
more natural for seed to be in the grouud than
sprouting in the cellar, or willing on the barn
floor. And it is fact that the potatOe tops,
whether planted in April or June, generally
show symptoms of disease in the last week in
August, after which event the young tubers
discontinue growing. Therefore, those potatoes
which are planted the earliest will have the
longest time to grow, and consequently produce
the largest tubers the heaviest crop, and the
nearest ripe, and, therefore, the least liable to
disease
CARROTS.
The carrot is an important vegetable in gen.
eral cultivation, although not as extensively
cultivated as would be for the best interest of
husbandman. 1t succeeds best on light sandy