The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1880-10-01
Value OF Pint TurntDs,

Many farmers will not grow any OF
the best varieties of roots for cattle on
account Of the expenses Of wedding and
proper cultivation, and it may not be
out OF place to remind them that after
any grain crop some kind of anu
can be applied, and a great many tur-
nips grown to feed 10 sheep, to calves
snd to any cattle excepting COWS giving
milk. Turnips will do well sown
broadcast, If the soil is well prepared
and the seed evenly and not too thickly
distributed; but a drill that will not run
the seed more than is required, without
thinning, will be better, because there
are go few men who can SOW at all TeglI-
larly. Turnips must be singled out and
the ground hoed thoroughly, but the
very mention Of doing any labor to a
root crop will deter hundreds from try.
Ing them. l can well remember the
old-fashioned English farmers growing
turnips about the year 1920, and some
being had between the rows Of horse
beans, which crop grows and ripens
like o r in the United States, much
later than grain; but labor being
cheaper in England, there were men
who would thin them out and cut all
weeds for from two up to three dollars
an acre. Farmers should consider the
advantage of growing turnips, because
Of the difference it makes to young
stock, if they have them every day in
sufficient quantity 10 distend the
stomach, not in n "pot-bellied" way,
but by bowling out the ribs in a barrel
shape. 1t is the absence of roots and
the feeding of too much meal and rich
food hat causes the degeneration OF
many pure-bred animals.
l am not recommending the cultiva-
ton and growth of the common turnip
in preference to other roots, but in con-
sequence of the difficulty of persuading
farmers to 60 to the trouble of produc.
ing the better sorts. | have myself been
hindered from growing carrots for
more than twenty years, excepting in
very small plats, but this year l have
nearly three acres of great promise.
These carrots are from four pounds of
seed bought of Landreth, and at least
ten plants have been cut or pulled out fol
every one left. 1t is of essential conse-
quence to obtain all varieties of
agricultural seeds from reliable sources.
Common turnips, although of less
value per ton, and not proper to give
to mich COWS on account of the un-
pleasant flavor to the butter, are yet of
great service; for as they can be cheaply
grown, a farmer can well afford to give
a little meal shaken yer the cut
or pulped mess fad to the animals
which it is desired should most increase
IN flesh.
1t is admitted that In(itn corn is to
a certain extent an equivalent, but for
young cattle, and sheep especially, there
is a decided advantage in feeding both,
on the score of heath. If all the labor
and attendance on q corn crop is
reckoned, it will be found to fall little
short of the cost of raising q good root
crop, and certainly an equal number of
acres in roots and corr would be quite
an advantage on every stock farm. end
the manure is always much increased
where there is an abundance of roots.
Therefore let common turnips be grown,
which will lead to the growth of other
roots and the increase of fertility gener-
ally, which of course e prosperity
to the proprietor -Gtorge Gardiner, in
Country Gentleman.