The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-06-25

Association.
One OF the most important but unspprecated
crops cultivated by the farmers Of Michigan IS
the root crops, with but few exceptions. II q
climate Of such variations OF seasons, embrac
ing the time when the earth is covered with
verdure and our pastures rich with green food,
with their multiplicity of grasses and forage
plants, (many that might be termed weeds,)
giving to our flocks and herds such a variety Of
food, and the long winter months, when the
earth is covered as with mantle by the driven
snow,-then is il that The provident husband
man must provide for his herds the food tina.
most nearly meets their natural wants. Did we
cultivate many OF the different grasses and for
age plants in their variety, and, Ike the il
stnctve ANIMALS, harvest these plants and
grasses in their green and tender state, drying
and preparing them for future use, roots might
be excepted from the bill Of fare CT our stalls
and racks during the winter months. To look
at the practice from humane standpoint alone,
say nothing of economy and profit, those farm
ers having in their care any number of domes
tic animals should provide food Of sufficient
variety to give pleasure and to assist the di-
gestive organs in performing their proper func
tions to utilize the hesh-producing properties
given them. claim to confine our animals for
five months IN the year. upon fodder consisting
of corn stalks, straw and poor clover hay, with
out particle OF roots, is at least Improbable il
not cruel.
The question is often asked: what is the rei-
ative value OF roots to corn? The question is
proper one, but to answer that they stand IN
relation all the way from to 10 of roots to l OF
corn, would not give all their relative value as
food for use. The mariners, in their extended
voyages, not making the necessary provision
for proper food, become diseased from the want
of vegetables, which given them produce yigor
and health. l have seen it stated that much OF
the consumption of the northeastern States is
the result OF improper food, lack of sufficient
clothing, and close, low sleeping apartments
What 10 true OF the human system is true OF
our domestic animals. That terrible malady,
pleuro- pneumonia, so prevalent in New Jersey
and other eastern States, is fosterej by cattle
confined in low dirty stables and fed upon the
warm swil of the distillery. While we are re-
mote from the infection, and differ in feeding
from the eastern cities, yet the practice Of feed
ing exclusively corn meal and dry fodder is un
profitable il not injurious.
Again, the same results are seen in the veg
etable plants. Their proper wants are met by
q variety OF manures possessing variety of
properties. Some add no direct manural prop
critics, as gypsum to clover, but we see the re-
suits. In the same manner roots operate on
the digestive organs, assimilating and aiding
other food for the production OF Fat and flesh.
Many OF the salts and minerals OF the soil re-
main imperative until that for which they have
an affinity comes In contact with them.
Another argument in favor Of root feeding is
the English practice. There the pasture lands
are rich and productive, giving good pas;urage
three-fourths OF the year, and under such con-
dtions they cultivate large quantities OF roots
for iattening purposes. So with the people of
Canada, and by the reports produce superior
animals for slaughter.
| am fully convinced that If one-ten,h Of the
ground annually devoted to the production OF
corn were occupied in producing some kinds OF
roots, that every particle of coarse fodder, such
as straw and corn stalks, that now are wasted,
may be used. and would yield from 30 to 80 per
cent. to the annual receipts, and the large guam
titles OF unfatted cattle Van Buren comfy now
puts on the market might be fatted FOR the
shamblcs. ! would not dictate what kind of
roots to cultivate the teet, carrot or turnip are
equally good Either alone would meet the
wants OF the animals. prefer the ruta baga
for its ease OF culture and keeping qualities
The mode OF culture with me does not differ
from others who grow roots. Many sow but Go
not reap.
To raise roots successfully there must be
good preparation OF the SOIL The weeds must
be held in check and the plants thinned TO a
proper distance. think twice hoeing is sufi-
cient. but frequent stIrringIof thessoil is neces
sary. 1 would prefer rather than barn-yard
manure (f l could use only one, but consider
both better) a top dressing of salt, plaster and
wood ashes, at the rate of one barrel OF salt and
plaster each to the acre, and all the wood ashes
You could spare-applied just as the plants are
coming up. II any one IS lover Of progress
this application to tho young plant (;urnIp) Will
charm him. Try il.
use part OF my corn ground for turnips. 1t
is powed the same time my corn field is aud is
kept cultivated and narrowed urtl the time OF
sowing-from the middle to the last OF June
1 drill my seed, with common roller drill 2J5
feet apart and thin TO 12 TO 16 inches in the
rows. 1 would prefer to sow just after a ram
than before, as some advise. L have found TO
my loss that heavy rain often dlls or covers
up my seeds too deep, or packs the ground too
hard for the young plants to come up good.
cannot give just now the cost OF raising tur-