The Rural Magazine, and Literary Evening Fire-Side, Vol. 1 No. 08 (1820)Various
Science
The Rural Magazine, and Literary Evening Fire-Side, Vol. 1 No. 08 (1820)
Various
Agriculture; Agriculture -- Periodicals
In this mode of raising the Ruta Baga, by transplanting the entire
crop, so much time is gained for preparing the ground, that two
crops of weeds may be destroyed, by that number of ploughings;
the first in the beginning of June, and the second immediately
before transplanting. But Mr. Cobbett recommends a previous _deep_
fall-ploughing, and another _deep_ ploughing in April, of the ground
intended for the Ruta Baga. The like two deep ploughings will be
equally proper and beneficial for the Mangel Wurtzel and Carrots.
Among the advantages of the transplanting method, mentioned by Mr.
Cobbett, one is, that it "saves almost the whole of the _after
culture_. There is no _hoeing_, no _thinning_ of the plants; and not
more than one ploughing between the ridges."
_Harvesting of Roots._ The Mangel Wurtzel, growing chiefly above the
surface, and thus exposed to frost, should be taken up the latter
end of October or beginning of November, according to the nature
of the season. The harvesting of Carrots may follow that of the
Mangel Wurtzel; and the Ruta Baga succeed the Carrots. In the first
experimental culture of the roots, in which but small quantities
are raised, they can be preserved in dry cellars not liable to
freezing. Where large quantities are raised, they may be deposited
in heaps, sufficiently covered, in a dry field. The common method
of heaping and covering roots in the field, and which Mr. Cobbett
practised with the Ruta Baga, is perhaps, as good as any. Holes of
a round or square form are dug about a foot deep, and about fifty
bushels are put into each, piling up the roots above the level of
the surface of the land, sloping to the top: then covering them
with straw, throw earth over the whole to a depth sufficient to
guard them from frost. Smooth the surface of this earth by beating
it close with the back of a spade, or other instrument, the better
to cast off rain. On Long Island and in Pennsylvania, a covering
of earth, a foot or 15 inches deep has been found sufficient. A
greater depth will probably be necessary here. In throwing up this
cover, a trench will be formed on all sides of the heap, to receive
the water running off it. It may be well to sink the bottom of the
trench lower than the bottom of the hole in which the roots are
deposited. Where large quantities are to be thus preserved, several
loads may be put into one hole: and then oblong heaps will be best
as requiring less labour in covering them. A quantity of roots,
for feeding cattle till the middle of December, may be kept in a
barn or stable covered with straw or any dry litter. I would begin
feeding with Mangel Wurtzel--follow next with Carrots--and conclude
with Ruta Baga; for the latter root will keep sound until the
commencement of the summer succeeding their growth.
All the roots, especially the Mangel Wurtzel and Carrots, should
be fully dried before they are housed, or covered in the field, to
guard them against rotting.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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