FIELD CULTIVATION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 4542, 4 December 1889, Page 1

FIELD CULTIVATION.

[Br George Brownies.] Boot Oropia—The month of November has been extremely unfavorable to thie growth of the young braird, so muoh bo that ia many plaoes mangolds and turnips require to be re-sown. Harrowing the drills is often reßorted to before b wing, but a better plan is to split up the drills with the drill plough and immediately bow a liberal quantity of seed. Mangolds may yet be sown, ohoosing the yellow globe and golden tankard varieties, but the 801 l most be reduced to a fine tilth, as in that condition it retains the moisture better and ia not bo open to the drying winda as rough half-worked land. It ia almost too Uto for swedes, but in oases where the first sowing has failed, it is advisable to ro-sow. Skirving's Bwede is perhaps the best for late Bowing as it germinates quickly, a good quantity of .bone dust should be sown in the drills along with the seed. If carrots have to be re sown the Jamea'iatermediate will do beat, the leaves of the carrot when left upon the ground make valuable manure, they being rioh in alkalies ; the thousand-headed cabbage ia coming Into favor aa a field crop, it is very hirdy and prodnoas a large quantity of green food, muoh relißhed by Bheep and cowb. It has been sown in drills a& turnips, but the better plan is lo sow in narrow drills and transplant into 2Mt or 3ft drills, leaving ample room for frequent stirring with tbe grubber and horse hoe. December is probably the best time for. sowing large breadths of broadcast turnips. For thiß purpose from Boz to lGcz. of seed per acre is required. Fur oarly feeding the white globe, greystone, and purple top mammoih are the beat ; coming next, purple top Aberdeen, Walte's eclipse and Fosterton's hybrid are esteemed, and the long keeping varieties are Dale's hybrid, greeo top Aberdeen, and Old Meldrum gre in top. December is often a favorable time for the sowing of broad leaf rape, land in good heart, and well tilled will grow an enormous crop of this useful forage plant, three pounds of seed will be found sufficient for one &ore.