Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-07-31
Cnlfnre Of Field Turnins.

should not be neglected Though not
generally considered so important as many
other crops, il is still sufficiently so az TO
engage the attention of all farmers who
DIES. re to provide good supply OF sueculent
food for their stock. We are told by the
best writers on English husbantlry. that no
vegetable has exercised so much influence
in advancing agricultural interests OF Great
Britain as the turnip. In this country the
severe frosis OF winter generally destroy the
crop. II LETT in the field or render il impos.
sibie for the stock to get at them. Bu, in
England they house n. many as they please
and leave the resi- in the places where they
grew, 10 be eaten of by sheep. confined in
movable pens made OF hurdles. And thus
q grca, deal Of labor is saved, while the
confinement of the sheep upon the land
place it IN the mos, favorable condition .or
succeeding crops.
The first requisites in growing turnips
are good clean land and made perfectly fine
by good filth. The true turnip soil, is
deep sandy loan. Clayey or compact soils
are not suited TO its profitable production.
neither are damp, heavy lands.
Alter the ground ha. been we'll plowed
and narrowed. the next consideration is the
most appropriate manure; for sandy or gra-
velly soils, from ward manure il an almos,
indispensable ingredient for producing
good crop. In peaty soils sbounding in
vegetable matter, it is less necessary.
House-made msuure. and especially that
from faitcning cattle consuming concentrat-
ed food, is the best, and il is an excellent
plan to mix that oil horses. &C as, hogs, SC,
well together. the hot character o that from
the horse neutralizing the colJness OF the
COW, AMI ptce Usrsa. For pcaty soils, an
occasional dressing OF quick line is in
valuable, especially when mixed with clay,
road scraPinss, &c, to give requisite firm
ness to the soil Where both dung and
lime are applied. they should never be ap.
piled at the same time, but with as long an
interval between possible. ;hc dung
being applied last. aud immediately before
sowing. The best time to apply the linc
is few weeks before sowing. in order that
the subsequent plowings NAV mix it thor
ouehiy with the soil
Ground bones constitute one of the most
valuable maEures Tor tgrnip.. on light and
dry soils. Guano has been used with great
advantage. Poudretle and other artificial
manures are also highly praised.
Broad cast sowing and drill seeding are
both followed. but by the former mode the
expense OF after culture. in thinning and
hoeing Is increased. Broadcast sowing is
nearly abandoned Tor the practice Of sowing
IN rows, which admits OF cultivation during
the growth Of the crop. When sown in
drills. about two feet apart is the usual
distance, the pants separated sax or eight
inches 10 the rows.
There are many varieties of ,urnips cul,i-
waited by our farmers. bu, general experience
has given the preference to two kinds, With
their sab varieties the Rata. Bara and
Flat English.
1T is one argument in favor of growing
turnips, hat they can be got in after the
hurry OF other spring work is over. The
tine of sowing The seed varies according TO
the variety sown. The Rata Baga NAV be
sown any time from the middle o! May Till
the l)th Of July When sown carly. and
from any cause the seed should fail 10 ger
inmate. or the Young plants be destroyed
by the fly. ample time would be lett Tor
sowing again. The smoolbesl and nicrs,
lot OF Ruta bagas ever raised were sown
the 10th OF July. They grew on a plot Of
ground where cattle had been yardcd that
season up 10 within \ week q o: the time Of
sowing. The period for sowing the IA,
EngiisL turnip Is about one month later
than for ruta bsgas. Those soan earlier
say the last oil June. yield better than the
later sown. but are not so good fer preserv.
ing Some farmers practice sowing iurnips
among corn and realize good crops The
seed y sown at q e lime OF the last hoeing
One difficulty in growing furnips j. III the
soil, on which hey arc intended 20 be
grown happens 70 be Of dry. sandy nature.
aud thc weather hot and dry at the time
Immediately after sowing. tie seed VIII fail
TO come up we'll aud ,ausc 4 falling of in
the crop. In al cases Immediately before
sowing. thc ground should be plowsd and
narrowed. j, - we'll 10 choose a tipo a.,
sowing the seed when both Tho earth and
atmosphere are damp as II would insure a
more rapid Corminaiion 81 the seed and
place the plant sooner beyond the reach OF
insect deprcla'ors. n top-dress.nr Of
ashes ard plaster be given thom any time
when The plants are wet With dew or rain,
u VII act as a sumulant 20 rapid growth
and enhance the probab..iiic. Of rar,gnc,
alive yield. by preventing the r,vsges Of