Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-07-04

We suppose there are few farmers who
5uld object TO a liberal turnip crop, il,
at the proper time, it were found stored in
their cellars, ready for feeding stock
And if it is not yet expcdicnt for Ameri-
can farmers to engage in turnip growing
as largely as their English cousins, it may
be Of great profit for them generally to
grow moderate quantities, and, in many
cases large crops. The farmer who at
the present season looks over his re-
sources and fears he is not producing
food enough 10 carry his stock through
the winter, may vet increase those re.
sources to an extent to enable him to
even add to instead Of diminishing his
number Of animals Putting in n
turnip crop will do this; and i6st now,
before you are fully engaged in the grain
hary est is the time to devote day or two
b. tins work
II the farmer Unexpectedly determines
TO raise turnips il may puzzle him a little
TO select the land for their growth. He has
no place prepared but there nav be
several locations on his farm where an
experienced turniP grower would expect
10 attain reasonable success III bv mis-
chance there are vacant spots in the corn
or potato field, SOW them TO turnips The
siuhble Of the earliest cut grain, plowed,
fitted and sowed promptly, may give fine
crop. Or a light and brittle clover sod in
verted with care, will ft the turnip plant.
There Is, indeed, no lack Of place Cor the
crop on any farm.
Where there is A chance for selection The
soil should be fertile, and one that NAV be
finely pulyerized aud readily worked. The
preparations should be made 10 grow
large crop; IL is much better 60 raise eight
hundred bushels on one acre than ten hun-
dred on two. The foundation for large
crop IL manure; faith and a Liberal hand
IS wanted there. Good culture rsars the
supentructurc; skill and industry should
labor together The Swede, or ruta-baga,
which variety is perhaps unexcehed as a
Geld crop l. peculiarly remarkable for lie
wanting manure 10 give il a start A lit
tie concentrated fertilizer in the drills ia
what is needed 20 70 push The plant vigor-
Ously in its first growth that il may escape
the mrnip fly, and acquire early the broad
rough leaves through which lhs plant de-
Tiyes from the air = verr great share Of its
substance. II the method Of culture Is
thorough, aiming 20 grow large crop from
q given area, We should advise planting in
drills that are about two feet apart. Theae
may he opened with pillow, manure spread
along them, then dirt turned on 60 the ma
nurr, thus forming over IL little ridges.
These should be slightly aaltened aud The
seed sown about three quarters Of an inch
deep and at the rate of one pound per acre.
In our climate Il would be Of some impor-
lance 90 SOW the seed while the soil is fresh
and damp 80 that the seed will sermihate
quickly. Broadcast sowing is oiien prac-
tlced, but for a good crop il is DOT con-
mcndabls.
When the plants 6rst appear they are
often infested with the turuip hv. The
beet remedy is 70 push the plants with ma
Bure 40 they viii soon get the rough
leaves. when the insect becomes harmless.
Ii is useful TO dust plaster over the plants.
As soon as the young turnips are Of SUI
feent height to mark The rows well, cult
vators should be passed between them, and
the dirt scrBped from the sides Of the
ridges leaving them only three or fOer
inches in width and two or three in height
A few days lates the plants must be thinned
in the row 50 they viii stand about one
foot apart This work is rapidly done
With hoe, an active hand going over
o9e-lhird Of an sere in day. This com
plesss The hand labor, If the ground is toll
-. Tree from weeds, until harvesting +;
; ule cultivstor must be used. The |
f.n srosih Of The turnip Is made in abe
;,a A ..oisr dark weather being favorable 10
a,1;.' 0pT9snt Il is not injured by the
oI0Ln4iy iall irosls, bnt ooDtinpes its
ors-.h ~. ~ should be harvested in
-'0'ei00sf'-- hSrui Hs,s Yoke.