Science and Practice in Farm Cultivation Part 4

_Anbury_ is an affection to which only the different sorts of turnips are liable, in which case it differs from finger-and-toe, with which it has been very much confounded, as this latter occurs in all kinds of roots; namely, turnips, carrots, mangel-wurzel, &c., as well as both the common and Swedish turnips.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _Fig. 11_ (Fig. 8 repeated). Finger-and-toe Carrot. Half natural size.]

As a sample of an extreme case of finger-and-toe-_digitate_ root,-we repeat the following figure of a Belgian carrot, in which it will be seen that the forks gradually taper to the extremities; in fact, the whole, instead of being a succulent fleshy tap or _fusiform_ root, in which case it could readily be stored, is divided in fingers-and-toes, which are liable to break off, and this renders the product next to useless. Now, this affection may occur in any soil, as it is the result of a degeneracy in the stock of the plant; but in the affection now to be described the case is wholly different, as here the bulk of the swede (fig. 12) is affected with rough, cancerous k.n.o.bs, whilst the rootlets support irregular k.n.o.bs of a like kind, which have more the aspect of suspended rows of ginger than fingers-and-toes.

Roots so affected soon rot, and have a ftid odour, so that they are not only useless themselves, but communicate canker and decay to the whole store. In the putrid ma.s.s will be found maggots and flies and beetles of different kinds; but as yet naturalists are not agreed as to whether the nodules of disease are caused by insects, or whether these creatures are merely attracted by the ftid matter. We are, however, inclined to the belief that some insects are connected with the diseased appearance in the first place, whilst others afterwards step in to fatten upon the decaying matter, induced by the first lot; but still it must be confessed that the subject requires much more attention than it has yet received, in order to settle these important questions.

Still it may be observed that one point has been universally admitted; namely, that anbury only occurs to any extent in sandy soils, where there is an absence of lime, a good dressing of which mineral is the best safeguard against this affection. Still, in soils that are liable to anbury, we should not recommend the continuance of turnip-growing, or at least not so frequently in the rotation as has. .h.i.therto been the case, and more especially as the soils which produce anbury to the greatest extent are just those best adapted for parsnips and carrots, which, if not wholly, may occasionally be very profitably grown in the place of the turnip.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _Fig. 12._ Swede affected with Anbury. Nat. size.]

Having given a few notes on the more prominent forms of insect attacks to which root crops are liable, we would now close this chapter, as details of all the insect pests would occupy more s.p.a.ce than we can here allot to the subject; but to those who would inquire further upon this fertile theme, we would advise the perusal of "Farm Insects," by J.

Curtis, Esq., F.L.S., &c.

GENERAL CONCLUSIONS.

To render our subject as complete as possible, we direct attention to the following practical conclusions, to which our whole argument upon the science of root-growing points:-

First.-Cultivated roots are improved wild ones, only to be obtained by gardening on the small, or farming on the large scale; this gardening or farming being carried on by certain operations at certain seasons which we have comprehended under the term of cultivation processes.

Second.-The difference in sort of roots is caused either by cross-breeding as the result of accident or design, or of the education of some particular propensity which has been acted upon by the intelligent seed-grower.

Third.-The maintenance of sorts in purity depends upon careful selection of the right variety for the seeding examples.

Fourth.-The preservation of a good outline or shape of root can only be maintained by selecting those of good _form_ to seed from; for, as running to seed, multiform top, forkiness, "finger-and-toe"

in roots, is evidence of wild growth, so, then, cultivated plants a.s.suming this form are considered as degenerate, and seed from such roots produces a malformed and poor crop.

Fifth.-The difficulties of getting good seed-whether of trueness to sort, from carefully selected bulbs, or free from adulteration either of old with new seed, or a mixture of charlock and others of the same family-are very great. Where, however, good seed can be depended upon, it is much cheaper, though at a considerable increase of first seeds cost, as not only quality but the quant.i.ty of live so considerably depends upon the truth and honesty of the seedsman.

Sixth.-Injuries from insect attacks, though serious as affecting the yield, are yet not due to the seed; and anbury, if it be due to insects, only occurs in the turnip-crops, and then in particular soils. The true insect attacks to be averted by simultaneous action.

In fine.-_Good seed, of a true sort,-care in growth,-and a watchfulness of enemies, includes the_ SCIENCE _and_ PRACTICE _of Root Cultivation._

[Ill.u.s.tration: FURNISH YOUR HOUSE WITH THE BEST ARTICLES AT

DEANE'S

A.D 1700

GENERAL FURNIs.h.i.+NG IRONMONGERY WAREHOUSE

AN ILl.u.s.tRATED CATALOGUE POST FREE ON APPLICATION

LONDON BRIDGE

DEANE & C^o. (OPENING TO THE MONUMENT) 46, KING WILLIAM S^T. CITY]

=FARM AND GARDEN SEEDS=

=CARRIAGE FREE.=

Bangholm Swede,

East Lothian Swede,

Ward's Beauty Swede,

Dropmore Swede,

Marshall's Champion Swede,

Green-top Swede,

White Swede,

Improved Skirving's Swede,

White and Red Globe, and Norfolk Turnip,

Scotch Yellow Turnip,

Dobito's Yellow Oval Mangel,

Ward's Ditto,

Improved Yellow Globe Ditto,

Improved Orange Globe Ditto,

Improved Long Red Mangel,

[Ill.u.s.tration]

Improved Long Yellow Mangel,

Improved Red Globe Mangel,

Improved White Field Beet,

Red Clover, Cowgra.s.s,

White, Yellow, and Alsike Clovers.