The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1905-08-02
Swedish Turnips a Good Crop.

The continuous wet and cold wealth
er in this section during the past
three seasons so seriously affected
both grain and forage crops that we
resolved last spring to grow some ao-
ditional crop not easily influenced by
such atmospheric conditions, and de-
cided upon the Swedish turnip, or rut-
abaga, as likely to prove the most
satisfactory, all things considered.
1t is q crop which, If properly fer
tilted and cultivated, gives enormous
returns, yields of 10 and Is tons per
acre not being at all uncommon, 1t Is
greatly relished by all kinds OF stock,
and is about equal in value to corn sill
age, although in some cases costing
somewhat more to grow.
Frequently the seed is drilled in
the field and afterward thinned to six
or eight inches apart in the row, but
we always prefer to SOW the seed in
bed, and transplant. This, according
to our own experience, gives stronger
plants and takes less time,
About the middle of June the seed
was broadcasted in the bed. and fine
young plants were ready for trans
planting in July in the field. The soil
of this field was sandy and very light
and poor. We first grew good crop
of peas by means of the mineral fer
,,I ~
moved, the vines which were about
2 12 feet in height, were turned under
to furnish humus, and allowed to re-
main undisturbed in the moist earth
for two weeks to decay, then the field
was prepared for the turnip plants,
which were set in rows 80 feet apart
for horse cultivation, and about ten
inches apart in the rows.
All members of the turnip family
are Voracious feeders upon potash and
equally fond of phosphoric acid, while
liberal amount of nitrogen must be
given. Barn manures particularly of
cows or sheep will furnish this salts
factorily, but horse manure is not con-
sidered as good for this crop. The or
ganic nitrogen usually contained in
the ready mixed fertilizers answers
the purpose equally well, and having
on hand such a fertilizer especially
prepared for root crops, we make a
liberal application to the soil about
the young plants, afterward working
it In. About four weeks later the
application was repeated. These
young plants thrived from the start,
rains were less frequent than earlier
in the season, but the moisture con-
tanned in the soil, dissolving the plant
foods, rendered them directly avail
able, and there was no check in
growth until the crop had matured,
except upon low-lying plots, where
there was not sufficient drainage to
completely carry off the surplus rain
falls. The turnips upon such ground
were much inferior in size to those
grown upon the well-drained portions
of the field, which were of great size
and of the finest quality for table
use. The estimated yield was at the
rate of IL tons per acre. A portion
was disposed of for table using, bring
ing from so to GO cents per bushel,
the rest were placed in the vegetable
cellar and twice each day since they
were gathered have been a highly rel
ished and beneficial food for the stock
on the farm.
They have contributed greatly to
the milk supply and no taint is ap-
parent in either milk or butter. The
turnips are sliced and fed the milch
COWS directly after the milking is
done. Horses are as fond of these
roots as the cows or sheep and their
hsI becomes glossy, and in fine con.
dition through such feeding We must
again call attention to the fact that
good fertilization must be given, that
growth from the start may be contin.
uous high grade potato fertilizer
may be used with good results.
a fair dressing upon soils which
are not poor, is fertilizer containing
20 pounds of nitrogen, 40 pounds phos.
rhoric acid and 40 pounds of potash.
The application should be increased
if the soil is poor.-E. A. Season,
Madison, O., in American Cultivator