THE MANGEL CROPS.

Shannon News, 10 January 1928, Page 3

THE MANGEL CROPS.

TRANSPLANTING AND CULTIVATION.

Generally speaking, maiigel crops are later than usual this season owing to the wet and cold conditions that prevailed in the late spring. Until 'veil on into December it was a diineult matter on most farms to get the cvounrl worked properly to provide a Suitable seed bed. Those who were successful "in this respect found in many instances that the seed germination was yerv irregular and in some cases resowing has been found necessary. This trouble has been more noticeable where the drills were made on the Hat, but even where the ridger was used indifferent germination has been experienced. A likely reason for this slow .'termination is the want of good warm sunshine to raise the soil temperature sufficiently high so as to promote quick growth. Mangel seed always does much better when sown in soil that has been thoroughly warmed up by continuous sunshine, This very, essential requirement was absent this year and crops sown at the usual time have not come awav. Provided that the strike is not altogether a failure, it is not always wise to work the ground up again and sow fresh seed. It is surprising how long mangel seed will sometimes lie in the ground before sprouting under unfavourable soil conditions, and then come awav quite satisfactorily. TRANSPLANTED MANGELS. For some reason that has never been satisfactorily explained transplanting in the original rows is never successful. The plants grow all right, but never produce decent-sized roots. Itgood bottoms could be relied upon transplanting into the missed spaces in the rows would be a simple matter and even up the crop and otherwise save a lot of trouble. If the transplanting is done on a separate piece ot well prepared ground they grow and mature wonderfully well. The crops are quite equal to and often better than those that are drilled in the ordinary way. Transplanting has some distinct advantages when properly carried out. For the seed bed it is usually possible to find a favourable plot large enough to grow enough plants to do half an acre or more. The writer has planted out three thousand plants from halt a pound of seed sown in the garden late in Sep!ember. While the young plants are developing, the soil into which they are to be removed later on can be ploughed early and worked occasionally and got into firstclass order to receive the plants from the middle to the end of November. If the plants are well-grown very few die when planted out and no blank spaces are to be found in the rows There is nothing in the shape ot weed to interfere with their "growth and wherever this system of growing mangels is done properly the returns have been good. Provided the land has been prepared beforehand, it is .generally possible to get any quantity of plants from those who are thinning out their crops sown in the ordinary way. Quite good crops can be grown from transplanting up till as late as the end ot January; Those put out earlier will, of course, have a better chance. Rather than be entirely without this valuable root every reasonable effort should l,e made to secure a supply for next season's needs even though a little extra labour is involved.

CULTIVATION. There is probably no farm / crop | which gives such a good response to cultivation as the mangel. As soon as it is possible to see along the drills either flu: hand or horse hoe should be used to got rid of weeds and loosen up the soil and continued at frequent intervals during the whole period of orowth or at least for as long as it is possible to work between the rows without doing injury to the roots where t-liev get well-grown. The mangel is a warmth loving plant and whim the soil is kept free and open so as to permit the air to penetrate it is surprising how long they will withstand periods without rain. By keeping the soil continually stirred up loss of moisture by evaporation is Prevented. CULTIVATING GROWING CKOPb. "The benefits that follow a little after cultivation in growing field crops often means the difference between an indifferent and a good yield. A light set of harrows pulled over a field of oraiu or roots in the early stages of their growth has a wonderfully stimulating effect on the plants. Because of fear that the implement will pull out or bury too many of the young plants many farmers refrain from following this excellent practice. Experience "has proved that there is no reason to be timorous in this respect and that there is much to be gamed. It h a common custom to work the ground to as line a tilth as possible and. finish up with the Cambridge roller before and after sowing. The roller is generally the last implement used to give a finish to the work. When, heavy rani follows it causes the finely compressed soil p'articles to run together. Under the influence of sun and wind a glazed surface is formed and when the underground moisture comes to the surface • it forms cracks as a means of outlet. It is this reserve of moisture that should be retained and a good stroke with the harrows will prove an effectual remedv.—Standard.