The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1894-07-19
FOR THE FARMER.
USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT FARM
MATTERS.
Turnips, and How to Raise Them
Science in Poultry Raising-Con-
trivance for SwillinE HOgs-FIa-
vOr, of Meat-Farm Pointers.

Nothing is better from the time the
grass fails in the fall up to the first or
middle Of February for all kinds Of
stocl-unless it may be COWS giving
milk-than a big supply Of the common
English turnips. While we think ev-
erything of ensilage as sheep food,
still it is fact that they will do better
with an abundance of roots, even when
eating plenty Of ensilage, and no kind
Of roots is better. for them than tur-
nips while in good eating condition.
Last year was the first in a long time
we have not had all the turnips we
could get out Of the ground while I'M
frozen, and still leave thousands of
bushels unharvested Some open win
tiers we have had our men pulling tur-
nips every open spell, going over and
over the same ground, pulling the
stable turnips each time, they contin-
uing to grow. But last year we had so
many grasshoppers that they were too
much for the turnips and we failed en-
tirely, although we sOwed fifteen acres,
and when feeding time came we real
lied more than ever the worth Of the
turniD crop.
While we think so highly of turnips
as stock food we have a way of rails
ing them that costs next to nothing,
and fits the land in splendid order for
a succeeding spring crop Of barley or
oats. Now is the time to be thinking
of growing them, and will detail my
way I select a field that is in good
condition, and well seeded-if to clover
so much tie better, though any sod
will answer. I NOW this early: getting
the ground clear not later than July 1,
and at once plow it well, being sure
that it is all turned over. I roll it
down fiat and go over it the same way
that it is plowed, with the Getaway
harrow. After this I go over it every
three or four days with harrow or Gull
tivator, until July 20, by which time it
should be in fine filth. I then SOW two
hundred pounds of some high-grade
fertilizer per acre, go over it with a
smoothing harrow and then SOW with
two pounds Of Purple-top Strap-leaf
turnip seed per acre. After sowing I
roll the ground, and when the turnips
have rough leaves two inches in di;-
meter, if too thick, which, if the wealth
err has been favorable and the seed
good, will most likely be the case, I
put on the smoothing harrow and run
over them. This will take out many of
the turnips, but none too many, posi-
bly, not enough, in which case a week
later go over the field crosswise with
the same tool. have sometimes taken
a steel frame cultivator and put on
set of plates only one and quarter
inches wide, spreading it to the full
width and gone over the turnip field
with great advantage to the yield.
Grown in this way, aside from the pull
ing they don't cost half cent per
bushel, and the small ones and leaves
which will be left on the ground I
the cost Of the seed.
The best barley we ever grew was on
a field where a large crop of turnips
was frozen in and rotted on the ground
| Although the men found lots of fault
while blowing it the barley grew to my
shoulders, and although common six
rowed barley the yield was over sixty
bushels OF cleaned grain per acre. Sow
ed in this way the turnips grow thickly,
| and their broad leaves smother out all
| kinds Of foul-stuff; even Quack has a
| poor show, and this alone will pay for
the labor. To the man who likes to
have his stock kept cheaply and look
well the above plan will give moro
satisfaction than any other. Try it,
! j. S. Woodward.