Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-08-11
Sow Late Turnips.

There is no Disgusting the fact that the
almost incessant rains which have poured
flood of water during the past four
weeks over large area of the great corn
growing region of the Western States will
seriously affect that crop this year. With
no desire to create alarm we may say that
we have received letters from reliable par
ties scattered over a wide district of cOun-
try, which plainly indicate that in numer-
GUS localities thele will not be more than
half crop of corn. With favorable
weather and good management from this
Tune on, the aggregate of the crop may
not be so largely reduced as to materially
affect the price, nevertheless, farmers, in
many places will have a short crop, and
thereby be subjected to more or less loss
and inconvenience. How to make the
best of the situation, and as far as pos
sible, avert disaster, is the problem which
every prudent farmer will endeavor to an
swer for himself.
We will make a suggestion. A good
opportunity is now presented for many
farmers who have never raised turnips for
stock, to give them trial. The soil of
the prairies is we'll adapted to late tur-
nips, and there is little probability that the
season will be unfavorable to them. There
are number of varieties the seed of which
may be sown in July and the early part
of August, and we advise our friends
whose corn crops will be greatly dimin-
ished, to prepare the ground as soon as
possible and sow turnip seed. Dark soils
usually are highly favorable to the crop,
as they contain the necessary require
ments of this product. The ground should
be thoroughly prepared, and as free from
weeds as possible. Generally the seed is
sown broadcast, and the crop is given no
further attention until it is harvested, but
this is not the best way at any time, and
especially in season which has been as
wet as this. 1t is much better to SOW in
drills, say two feet apart, and cultivate the
crop in order to keep down the weeds,
and the ground loose and mellow. A
pound of good seed is large quantity
for an acre, but it is not safe to use
a less quantity, for the reason that
many may not germinate. Should
all of them, or nearly so, come up, it will
be necessary to thin out to four or six
inches in the drill. Under ordinary cir
good seed will germinate in
two or three days, and as soon as the
rough leaves are an inch broad the cult
vator should be started and the plants kept
clear of weeds. A moist atmosphere is
favorable to the growth of the crop, and
this is what is expected during the fall
months, and the turnips enlarge much
more rapidly in cool weather than during
that which is hot.
Too little attention is paid to turnips by
Western farmers. Here and there a man |
who has learned the value of the crop for |
ck-feeding, raises it, but as a rule it is |
neglected. AS we remarked above, the |
present is a favorable opportunity for
many of our friends to try the expert
nent, and, in some degree, mitigate the
misfortune of short crop Of corn. We |
ire sure that they will find it a satisfactory |
md paying investment, beside affording !
heir stock food which is greatly relished |
and highly beneficial to them. .-Pratrte
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