TURNIP CULTURE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2683, 13 November 1882, Page 3

TURNIP CULTURE.

[Prom the “ Weekly Press.”] However unfavorable the recurrence of drenching showers may prove to the hold ing of agricultural shows, our farming friends are jubilant. For a number of years there has not been so favorable a season for the preparation of the soil for all kinds of green crops. The mangolds and carrots sown last month are making a grand braird. We are glad to learn that the flax crop is also looking remarkably well, and bids fair to be an abundant one. The final preparation of the ground for turnips should now be proceeded with without delay. Where the land is freshly broken up little preparation is needed beyond a single ploughing and a couple of strokes of the harrows, but with old land the case is far different. It is a common complaint that turnips do not thrive on such land nearly so well as they did when it was first broken up. The wonder would be if they did. Unless the soil is naturally rich or supplied with the needful manure, it is useless to expect good crops of turnips. The groat principle of cultivation brought forward by our agriculturists is, so to prepare the soil beforehand as to ensure a fine tilth and| good seed bed, with such small amount of disturbance of the soil at the time of sowing as may preserve the surface moisture in it, and thus, with the addition of some artificial manure, afford conditions favorable for rapid germination and good growth. Our agriculturists are to be congratulated on the fact of the establishment of a manure manufactory having been started in their midst. AVe refer to Messrs Moorhouse and Co.’s, at Belfast, to which we drew the attention of our readers in our issue of last week. Genuine superphosphate may now be had at such a cost as will pay to use it. No better fertiliser can be employed to force the young turnip plant into the rough leaf and beyond the reach of the fly. When land is well ploughed in the autumn, and laid fallow during the winter, the frosted surface mellows down, and is in a good friable state, so as not to require further ploughing in spring. The application of the scarifier should be enough, and thus the young sprouting weeds will be cleared, and the soil stirred sufficiently; whilst, by the use of this implement (in whichever of the various forms of cultivators, scufflers, &0., it may be most suitable), instead of the plough, we avoid throwing the ground open to the drying winds and baking suns which frequently occur at this season of the year. Also, we secure the wintered mo ld on the surface, which forms an excellent seed bed, and is supposed to be much less attractive to the fly than freshly turned earth; also, the moisture is preserved and ready for use below the surface. We have not as yet heard much about the ravages of the fly or turnip beetle ; bnt as we have to resort to the older lands for turnip growing, we may expect to be made more familiar with this pest—the dread of the home country turnip grower. Another great advantage of autumn cultivation of stubble land, whether heavy or light, if foul with weeds, is to have an opportunity of clearing the land of millions of seedling weeds, which help not only to harbour, bat to feed this dreaded fly, A fine I tilth is also of great importance in driving on rapid growth of the young plant in its first stage, and partly because this state of ground gives the best conditions

for healthy germination. Germination requires warmth, moisture, and some air, and where there is a fine tilth the seed is in far better circumstances in all these respects than where the ground is rough or cloddy, and therefore part of the seed is buried under great lumps of earth, and part exposed on the surface to drought and to the attacks of birds. The fine soil preserves the underlying moisture evenly and evaporates it gently, and besides, makes a good bed for the young rootlets. Rainfall at or immediately after sowing time is beneficial in the highest degree, often ensuring a healthy braird. How far the artificial application of moisture with the seed can bo advantageously applied we need not discuss further than to remark that the experiment has been tried with considerable success at the Lincoln College Farm, the water being diluted with superphosphate and deposited in the drills immediately in front of the seed. The season was a dry one, and the young plants getting a quick start from the rich moisture which had been deposited under them grew vigorously and produced an excellent crop. The present season promises to be one of the best for turnip sowing which we have experienced for a long time. As to the date of sowing opinions differ, and probably this must differ with climate and circumstances. ,In Canterbury November and early in December is found to be the most suitable season, beginning with swedes and finishing with Devonshire grey and white stubble. Turnip should always be sown in drills in old land, in order that the horse hoe and the drill grubber may be constantly used between the drills, for the double purpose of preventing the growth of weeds and keeping the surface fine, thereby preventing the escape of the moisture by evaporation. From 1$ to 2cwt of superphosphate of lime will be sufficient for an acre, and will produce as good results as 4cwt of crushed bones, although the latter will produce better after results. In any case a little superphosphate or guano should be used to force on the young plant, but care must be taken not to sow the seed in contact with the guano, as the strength of that manure will destroy the vegetating power of the seeds (particularly does this refer to Peruvian guano.) Two pounds of seed may be sown per acre in drills—3lb is the usual quantity in the old country this will allow sufficient for casualties, sown broadcast on new land from 6oz. to Boz. is the quantity used.