The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-08-21
Turnips,

uitto0 ou PissHo O"SOH.
Turnips.
If full crops of the Ruta Baga and Aber-
deem varieties of Turnip seed have not
been already sown, delay no longer. A
rich, light loan suits the turnip best, but it
will grow and do well on almost any kind
of land, we'll prepared and manurcd.
The planter should select the best ground
he has, break it deep and pulvcrize we'll.
If he has manure enough he should broad
cast it over the ground before blowing;
if not, the land should be trenched, (after
being plowcd as deep as possible with
scooter, or narrow-shovel, and the manure
distributed in the trench, and then the
trenches covered by 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 a
very good apparatus for sowing the seed
The ridges should be about 20 inches
apart, and the seed so put in that the
plants will stand about ten inches apart
in the drill Thus planted the after cul-
ture Of the turnip becomes an easy mat
ter.
We of the South havo never properly
estimated the Importance of this crop. in
Europe it is second to scarcely anything
else except the wheat crop. Horses, cat
tie and sheep are fed with the turnip, and
thrive and do well upon it. Here, the
turnip is equally important in an cconomi-
cal outstanding Of our resources. 1t may
be made 10 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 he
once induced to try the experiment fairly,
after that the Ruta Baga would be found
to be one Of our most valuable staple pro
ductions.
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 ta-
bic are the White Flat Dutch, and tho
Red Top, also, Il flat turnip. These are
the earliest varieties.
AT the samo 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 crisp
ness and sweetness. These varieties
should be sown also for stock. The yield
per acre is enormous and they arc inval-
paration and manuring Of the land as
prescribed for Ruta Baga, is requisite for
the successful growing of the other varic-
ties of the turnip.
A correspondent Of the Southern Agri-
calturist, says:
To such state of perfection have the
English brought the culture Of turnips,
that they have rcvolutonizcd the agri-
culture 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, Septcm-
Der and October The Rula Baga may
be sown from Goth July to September;
should be planted in drills, two tcct apart,
and thinncd ont to twelve or fourteen
inches The Ruta Baga is destined
soon to work Il great change in South
crn agriculture. They are as easily man.
aged as the common turnip, are more nu-
trtivc, keep much longer, and afford
greens equal to colards, if not superior.
Stock of all kinds are fond Of them, and
from their rich golden color, sweet and
delicate 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
climate; but this is a benefit rather than
an objection, as thereby tho root keeps
sound much longer
A correspondent of the Rural Amcrican
gives the following, which IS an English
mode, and which he has proved in this
country:
70 prepare the seed before sowing, take
a dish that is large enough to hold all the
seed that is intended to bo sown, and turn
on enough new milk to cover tho seed
let it soak six hours, then drain it dry
take sulphur, and put on q good quantity,
mixing it thoroughly before sowing; the
milk causes the sulphur to adhere to the
seed, and as tho seed vegctatcs, the
strength of tho sulphur so imprcgnates
the young plant that the turnip fly will
aot molest it.
A Few Hints on Wheat Culture.
Eo,r, o., 49, ,Lo,f