CHAP. III
To those who may have been in the habit of cultivating the Swedish turnip, it may be desirable to point out the advantages which the improved Beet Root has over that turnip. Mr. Heaton had last year, in his Havering Green field, the best crop of Swedish turnips that I have ever seen, upon his farm, during twelve years’ attention to the management of it; and his intelligent agent and farmer, Mr. Henry Gibbons, assures me, that he did not see a bettercrop between London and Derby, from which latter place he returned in December last.
The Swedes in this field were drilled in rows 24 inches apart, and the plants were left about 9 inches apart in each row. I selected 60 square yards, 6 by 10, and found the produce to be 252 turnips, equal to 20,356 upon an acre. I weighed many of them, and found them from half a pound to 6 pounds each, averaging 2 pounds. The weight upon an acre would, therefore, be something more than 18 tons:lessby 30 tons than the produce of an acre of the improved Beet, dibbled in rows 2 feetapart, and the plants left 12 inches apart in each row.
The improved Beet has other material advantages over turnips. The crop is more certain, as the infant root is not injured by the fly; the ground may be cleared in time to sow wheat upon it, and the Beet attaining perfection, as it does, before the winter sets in, much labour and all the difficulty of getting and carting turnips in bad weather are saved to the farmer.
A bushel of the sliced Beet weighs 6 pounds heavier than a bushel of Swede turnip sliced. Two bushels of itper day satisfies a bullock better than 2 bushels and a half of Swedes; and it is well known, that 2 bushels and a half of Swedes are better than 3 bushels of common turnips. Sheep are fond of the improved Beet after Christmas; so are pigs, young cattle, and cows; and, with hay or straw, it will be found excellent food for young horses. For milch cows, the Beets have a decided advantage over turnips. Turnips, from their rankness, spoil the cream and butter; Beet, from its peculiar sweetness, improves both.
It is strongly recommended to the farmers near London to cultivate thisroot, and to the cowkeepers in London to consume it: to them it will be found of great value.
Since the above was written, the Author has been favoured with the following information, from a Friend, who left his crop in the ground till spring.
“My Beet in the Old Yard has stood the late severe frost better than any common turnips, and perhaps equally well with the Swedes, very few indeed being injured. Some of them were covered with snow, but others were exposed. They were rather small, having been planted so late as June.” I. K.
“Feb. 23, 1814.”