Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-08-07
TurnipS.

IF full crops OF the Rutfbaga anu
Aberdeen varieties of Turnip Seed have
not been already sown, delay no longer.
A rich light loan suits the tnrnip best,
but it will grow and do we'll on almost
any kind of land, we'll prepared and
manured.
The planter should select the best
ground he has, break it deep and pulver'
ize well. If he has manure enough ne
should broadcast it over the ground be.
fore blowing if not, the land should be
trenched, (after being plowed as deep as
possible, with scooter, or narrow shovel
and the manure distributed in the trench
and then the trenches covered by q light
turnplow, and the ridges formed; the
seed put in with drill, if to be had. a
bottle, with the mouth covered by piece
of sheet lead, perforated like pepper
box lid, makes very good apparatus for
sowing the seed.
The ridges should be about 20 inches
apart, and the seed so put in the that the
plants will stand about ten inches apart
in the drill. Thus planted the after cnl-
ture of the .urnip becomes an easy mat
ter.
We of the South have never properly
estimated the Importance of this crop
In Europe it is second to scal cely any
thing else except the wheat crop. Hor'
ses, cattle and sheep are fed with the
turnip. and thrive and do well upon It,
Here, the turnp is equally important in
an economical outstanding of our resour-
ces. 1t may be made to yield as well,
and we may save the trouble and expense
of gathering and housing the crop, which
they have to incur in Europe. If our
people, could be once induced TO try the
experiment fairly, after that the Ruta
Baga would b. found to be one Of our
most valuable staple productions.
1t is not too soon to begin to prepare
the ground for the later varieties of tur-
nip, which should be sown about the goth
of August. The best varieties for the
table are the White Flat Dutch, and the
Red Top, also, a fiat turnip. These are
the earliest varieties.
AT the same time these are sown, the
Globe and Norfolk, field turnips, should
also be sown. They come later, and
will stand all the winter, retaining their
crispness and sweetness. These varieties
should be sown also for stock. The yield
per acre is enormous, and they are inval-
liable as food for stock. A similar pre-
paration and manuring of the land as
prescribed for Ruta Baga, is requisite
for the successful growing Of the other
varieties of the turnip.
A correspondent of the Southern Ag-
riculturist, says:
To such state of perfection have the
English brought the culture of turnips,
that they have revolutionized the agricul
ture of the Kingdom, and the turnip crop
of England is annually worth more than
the Cotton crop of the United States.
Sow common turnips in August, Septem.
Der and October. The Ruta Baga may
be sown from Goth July to September;
should be planted in drills, two feet apart,
and thinned out to twelve or fourteen
inches. The Ruta Baga is destined soon
to work great change in Southern agri-
culture. They are as easily managed as
the common turnip, are more nutritive,
keep much longer, and afford greens
equal to collards, if not superior. Stock
of all kinds are fond of them, and from
their rich golden color, sweet and deli
cate flavor, are unsurpassed for the table,
Farmers, try the Ruta Baga, and learn
how it saves the corn-crib The Ruta
Baga is not inclined to seed in this eli
mate; but this is benefit rather than an
objection, as thereby the root keeps sound
much longer.
A correspondent of the Rural Ameri.
can gives the following, which is an Eng.
lish mode, and which he has proved in
this country:
To prepare the seed before sowing, take
dish that is large enough to hold all the
seed that is intended to be sown, and
turn on enough of new milk to cover the
seed let it soak six hours, then drain it
dry +; take sulphur, and put on a good
quantity, mixing it thoroughly before
sowing; the milk causes the sulphur to
adhere to the seed, and as the seed vege.
tates, the strength Of the sulphur so I'M
pregnates the young plant that the turnip
fly will not molest it.