Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-07-22

TuFnfn GuIfurs.

II seems strange that when the feed
ing qualities of turnips have been 30
long recognized In foreign countries,
that they have been 80 long in estab-
fishing themselves here for a like pur
pose, and as the product of an acre IL
so large, and aside from its feeding
qualities, their sanitary effect upon
stock 30 beneficial, IL seems as If the
farmers-not only stock raisers, but
would more generally adopt
the pr ctice of raising this crop, and
using them judicially as winter feed,
To vary the monotony of unchanging
hay and cornmeal.
The turnip is not II very discriminate
ing plant, and any good soil free from
weeds, and kept so, will. produce tur-
nips, though loamy or well fertilized
sandy soil will best succeed. II the
crop is drilled in, the rows should be
about fifteen inches apart, and after the
crop has established itself it should be
thinned down to two or three plants to
the loot. 1t the crop is for table use
new land should be selected, as land
that has been cropped long is liable to
impart "A strong, unpalatable taste.
The crop may be sown at any time
after the weather becomes settled in the
spring, but for stock feediGg the first
half OF July will be best sui ed, both for
the convenience of gathering and be-
cause the turnip favors cool. moist
weather, which the late fall months fur
nish.
The ways that turnips can be sown
and yet not require special prepara-
uon OF the land are many. / know a
farmer who, after the last hOeing his
potatoes, 5catters 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 "A
big crop of turnips usually results. Sow
ing among the corn is another not OBJ
jectionable method, for the turnips will
not draw very much upon the soil until
after the corn is cut up, and the after
crop will prove "A far more proftabl e
one than planting pumpkins among the
corn and far less injurious TO the de-
velopment of the ears.
Among root crops rutabagas hold a
favorable position, but cannot be sown
broadcast with any certainty; and il
labor is to be taken into account, the
turnip is the crop requiring the least
labor. With increased attention TO it,
cultivation there has come into notice
score Of new varieties, and in addition
TO the old familiar names, we hear oi
the White Egg, Golden Bail, etc. each
excellent, but will be "A long while in
superseding the Early Dutch, Purple
Top, Stop Leaf, and for more southern
latitudes, the Long Whit holds "A con.
spicuous place, with no real rival.
If the turnip is to be fed 10 stock il i
fn Mt ~ 10
pecially If you have a root cellar where
low, even temperature can be kept.
ana the green relish Of the leaves to-
gethcr with the bulb will cause them 70
be eagerly devoured. With turnjps.
fed tops and all To sheep. with small
additional quantity of green. either oats
or corn. the amount Of hay required for
n flock ofsheep will be very small. flour
farmers would make up their minds Ia
give this DOT tria!, their superior feed.
ing qualities would meet with prompt
recognition.-John Zyjp, in PrdcticJ
Farmer
The Manure Pile.
Nothing adds more TO the riches oi
the farmer than the manure pile, saws
the FaTul and Firesidc. for without
manure the crops can grow but feebly.
tAAAN atf' AtAiAN VI Alt IH NOT lIl-
creased. 1t should be the object OF
every farmer TO increase. in every pos
sible manner, the bulk of his manure
pile, and thereby increase the fertility
of the farm, ana consequently the dol.
lars in his pockets.
Some of our best farmers every fall
buy up lot of stock for fatteninR.
enough animals, in fact. TO eat up All
the grain and coarse feed they produce
on the farm, and thus market their
grain in the form Of meat, from time to
time, until late spring. Usually con.
siderably more is realized in this way
than selling the grain, and when merely
the sum is obtained for the fat cattle
only enough TO pay for the food and care
there is still fair profit to the farmer in
the shape OF rich manure, and Just on the
farm where it is needed. Manure Is the
basis Of good farming, and he who uses
the most OF it, judiciously, is sure tC
make IL pay.
While but few persons seem to realize
1t, manure from grain-ied animals il
worth fully twice as much rs that from
animals sparingly fed on IL; 1t is richer
in the elements of plant growth. Nearly
every farm has some woodland at.
tached, and in that woodland annually
goes TO waste much that can and should
be utilized as fertilizing matter. We
refer TO leaves, which so few farmers
make any use of. The off days and
parts of days when there is not much
else to do in the winter, can be profita-
bly, employed In gathering up the leaves
and hauling them to the BARNARD.
where they can be used for bedding for
horses, cows. pigs, ETC., as well as
spread thickly in the barnyard 10 ABB
sorb the liquid portions of the manure,
which would otherwise be wasted by
evaporation and drainage. THIS work
gives profitable employment for both
horses and men, at n time when the reg.
ular farm work is alta standstill on ac-
count of severely cold OF inclemen,
weather.
If there be muck or mari on the place.
this should be dug out in the winter,
especially the muck, so the frost can
disintegrate IL, and thus put 1t in better
condition for plant food. This muck il
useful when IL has been separated well by
\. Il