Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-07-02

II seems strange that when the feeding
qualities Of turnips have been so long recog-
nizcd in foreign countries that they have
been so long in establishing themselves here
for a like purpose, and as the product Of an
acre is so large, and aside from its feeding
qualities their sanitary effect upon stock so
beneficial it seems as il the fnrmers-not on
~ stock raisers, but dairymcn-would more
generally adopt the practice Of raising this
crop, and using them judiciously as a winter
feed to vary the monotony Of unchnnging
hay and corn meal
The turnip is not a very discriminating
plant, and any good soil free from weeds, and
kept so, will produce turnips, though loamy
or well fortified sandy soil will best succeed.
If the crop is drilled in, the rows should be
about fifteen inches apart. and after the crop
Inns established itself it should be thinned
down to two or three plants TO the foot. II
the crop is for table use, new land should be
selected, as land that has been cropped long
is liable to impart strong, unpalatable taste.
The crop may be sown at any time after
the weather becomes settled in the spring,
but for stock feeding the first half Of July
will be best suited, both for the convenience
Of gathering and because the turnip favors
cool, moist weather which the late fall
months furnish.
The ways that turnips can be sown and yet
not require a special preparation Of the land
are many. / know farmer who. after the
last hoeing Of his potatoes, scAtters the seed
thinly along the rows, and when the potatoes
are dug the dirt is pulled back into the last
hill, and the turnips are not disturbed. The
fine soil that works down about them rather
helps than Injuries them, and big crop Of
turnips usually results. Sowing among the
corn is another not Objectionable method
for the tvFuips will not draw very much up
on the soil until after the com is cut up. and
the after crop will prove far more profitable
one than planting pumpkins among tho corn
and far less injurious to tie development Of
the cars.
Among root crops rutabaeGs hold favora-
bic position, but can not be sown broadcast
with any certainty; and if labor is 10 be tax
On into account, the turnip is tho crop roquir-
ing the least labor With increased attention
TO its cultivation, there has come into notice
a score Of new yari, tics and in addition TO
the old familiar names. VIC hear Of the new
White Egg. Golden Ball etc, each excellent,
but will be q long while il supersoding the
Early Dutch, Purple Top, Strap Leaf, and for
more southern lattudcs the Long White
holds conspicuous Place, with no real rival.
II the turuip is to be fed to stock, it is not
necessary to cut OF the tops, especially If you
have a root cellar where low even tcmpera-
ture can be- kept, and the green relish Of the
leaves together with the bulb will cause them
to be eagerly devourcd. With tunipa. fed
tops and all to sheep, with small additional
quantity Of grain, either oats or corn, the
amount Of hay required for flock Of sheep
will be very small. If our farmers would
make up their minds TO give this root a trial,
their superior feeding qualities would meet
with prompt ccoguition.-Joh Zsyp IN
ChjO FdlTsr.