Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-08-20
Turnip Culture.

The process is thus: Pillow the land
level, harrow lengthwise and crosswise,
getting it into fine filth, then draw shall
low burrows two and one-half feet apart
three feet is better where there is plenty
of room to spare); in these burrows the
manure is spread; it may consist of any
fertiliZing material within reach. OF
course decomposed matter is the best,
whether it be vegetable or animal; and
here we remark, it is good plan 10 pre-
pare in advance a compost which will
readily disintegrate when spread. Where
such is not at hand, any of the approved
commercial fertilizers may be resOrted to,
but be sure and buy only from parties of
good repute, of which, doubtless, there
are many When the fertilizer (if su-
perphosphate or other commercial ma
nure, at about equal cost, at the rate Of
about 800 pounds per acre. has been
spread, it is good practice to remove
the hind teeth from an ordinary culti
vatOr so as to adapt it to the width of the
furrow, and pass it once over the fertil-
iZer, thus Incorporating it with the soil.
That done, the soil removed in forming
the burrows and little more obtained
on the opposite side is returned. This
process will be found to form a ridge
some inches higher than the level of the
adjacent land. As it is not desirable in
our climate, where heat and drought
Gather than excess of moisture, as in En-
gland, from whence the practice of ridg-
ING is derived prevail, we back down the
ridges until they are nearly level, and
which brings the seed about to be sOwn
near the manure, so important to stimu-
late the young plants. Everything being
now ready for sowing, with drill, which
is made to open the furrOW, deposit the
seed. close the burrows, and roll in the
seed if necessary-We proceed to SOW.
The drill should be adjusted to SOW not
less than two pounds of seed per acre, if
in drills or rows two and one-half feet
apart-not that 50 much seed is neces-
sary, if any considerable percentage
Vegetables, and escapes the fly, the
scorching sun, and other unfayorable in
fiuences. It is probable that if two
ounces of seed could be evenly dis
tributed, each grain germinate and final
ly succeed, there would be sufficient
number of plants to the acre; but it
would be a very unwise procedure to
stint the seed to save flor the present
moment only the pocket. The English,
to whom we look for instruction in root
culture, use much more than two pounds
per acre, but the turnip has been so
generally grown in their country for gen
erations that the "hy," fed and pam
pered, has become most formidable
pest; so much so that great difficulty IS
sometimes found in securing stand
If the sowing, which we have just de-
scribed, should by any accident have
failed, pass along the ridges a spike
tooth harrow to destroy any weed seeds
that may have sprouted, and resow as
before If, from the time lost, it may
be deemed too late to perfect a crop of
rutabagas with certainty, it may be bet
ter to make the Resolving with fiat tur-
nips, which mature IN shorter season.
Surprising the first sowing success.
allow the plants to reach the rough or
second leaf, then proceed thus: Taking
a light twO-inch steel hoe IN hand, and
standing so as to bring a corner of the
hoe in an oblique direction with respect
to the line of plants, and near to them,
the operator walks backward, drawing
the hoe gently, and slightly Swimming
the surface of the soil, and with it all
Young weeds which may have sprung up
contemporary with the crop; returning,
the ODpOsite side of the row or drill is
taken, thus leaving only narrow line of
turnip plants, nearly free from weeds.
After few days, when they have grown
somewhat stronger, and are too rank for
the fly to injure seriously, they may be
. dumped" which is performed by TAX
ing sharp, light, steel hoe of suitable
size, say two inches wide, and, standing
facing the row, cut cTosswise. so as to
leave cIumps of plants at intervals of
four or five inches. At first the operator
will cut timidly, fearing to destroy too
many; but in a little time he will have
gained courage, and proceed with in
creasing speed. 1t is surprising with