Part 7

The tops of the ridges about 2 inches broad, a. a. a.

Intervals of 24 inches from one a to another.

Depths about 12 inches from a to b.

Furrows where the manure is deposited, b. b. b.

Form of the ridges after splitting and rolling.

A A A A --- --- --- --- / / / / / / / / ^ ^ ^ ^ B B B B

Tops A. A. A. 9 inches broad, in the middle of which the seed is deposited.

Situation of the manure B. B. B.

CHAP. VI.

It will not be supposed, by any intelligent farmer, that where the quantity of the Improved Beet Root given daily to a bullock is stated, it is meant that it should be given without dry food. It may, however, be necessary to say, that the same dry food must be given with the Beet as is usually given with turnips. Mr. Heaton last year gave oat straw only, and the bullocks did well upon that food, and were sold to profit. No doubt they would have been ready for the butcher sooner, had good hay been given to them: but this fact may be relied upon, that fresh bullocks, fed upon the Beet Root and oat straw, will, in 3 months time, get fat enough for the butcher.

It may also be necessary to observe, that not a word, here stated, is intended to apply to such light turnip soils as will bear the trampling of sheep, without injury to the land. Mr. Heaton has none such upon his farm, and I have not sufficient knowledge of the management of turnip land, of that description, to say, whether prudence would warrant any trial of the Beet Root upon a large scale, on such soil, to be eaten on the land.

Where a field, selected for a crop of Beet, happens to be in a foul state, the seed had better be sown in a garden, and the whole field planted with the young Beet, when of the size of a radish. This will give time for cleaning the ground, and fitting it for a crop; for, although the Beets are destroyers of weeds, it is not meant to recommend the sowing them on foul ground, or in any way to encourage a slovenly system of farming.

Although manure has been used in the cultivation of this root, it is not absolutely necessary; and, if not in a rotten state, it does mischief. Good crops have been obtained at Bedfords without manure, and without injury to the succeeding crops of corn. Beet is fed from a depth considerably below the reach of the plough, as generally used; so that it does not draw the surface soil in which corn is fed.

The method of cultivating the Beet Root here recommended, is the same as that which is used in the cultivation of turnips, in Northumberland and other parts of the north, with this exception, that the rows there are 27 inches apart. There may be reasons in the north for still preferring that space, but in Essex the effect of it, in the cultivation of Beet Root, would be, that, instead of 48 tons per acre, 43 tons only would be obtained. Experience has proved, that the roots do not get to a larger size in rows 3 feet apart, than they do in rows 2 feet apart. It may, therefore, fairly be presumed, that they would not be larger in rows 27 inches apart; and if not larger, the weight of the crop, per acre, must be less, because the plants decrease in number as the rows increase in space.

The advantages that would arise from the cultivation of these roots, upon a small part of every strong-land-farm throughout the kingdom, must be obvious. Calculations might be given that would astonish and almost exceed the belief of most readers. Such calculations, however, in general, are but little attended to, and it is thought better to omit them, hoping that enough has been said upon the subject, to fix the attention of every person interested in the cultivation of land.

APPENDIX.

Workington Hall, Cumberland, March 9, 1814.

SIR,

I had the pleasure of receiving your obliging favour last night, with two copies of the publication on Mangel Wurzel. I have cultivated that root for some years with success. From the Bishop of Derry I learnt to apply the leaves to soiling my milch cows and pigs. The leaves of a good crop are from 10 to 15 tons per acre. I have steeped the seed and mixed it with sand previous to sowing, by which means it vegetates immediately. I have had 60 tons per acre on 3 feet stiches, 9 inches between the plants, and have kept the roots good till the middle of May. I have given the seed to many of my cottagers, who have grown the roots for their pigs, and they have found them to answer well.

I am, &c. J. C. CURWEN.

Barrowby, Lincolnshire, December 15, 1814.

SIR,

For the last four winters I have constantly fed my milch cows with Beet, but I never exceeded, I believe, a bushel per day to each; not from any apprehension of ill effects when given in larger quantities. My object was, to make it last the longer, as the milk and cream were evidently much improved thereby. The cows always had plenty of hay with the Beet, and when the weather, or rather the state of the land would admit, they were turned into a grass field adjoining my farm yard.

Mr. Turney, of Sedgbrook, who has finished off some bullocks this Autumn, whilst at grass, with Beet, has given it with great good effect to his milch cows for the last two winters, and he is at this time keeping a new-calved heifer upon it.

I may add, that I have always found the milk to be increased in quantity, as well as improved in quality, whilst the Beet was used.

As to the weight of my crop, this year, it is much less than usual. My land, you know, is old garden ground, and produced a crop of Beet last year, Swedes the year before, and carrots in 1811. A tenacious loam, on clay, difficult to work in the Spring. On this I got only 7 cwt. 2 qrs. on 6 yards by 10, which is after the rate of 30 tons per acre.

I am, &c. JONATHAN KENDAL.

Stag Brewhouse, December 18, 1814.