way inconsistent with the previous statement, which only indicated greater powers for resisting the destructive influence of frost. According to the severity of the winter all root crops demand proper protection.

The ripening of swedes and other slow grown turnips is often accomplished by the action of frost, for we find crops which cannot be safely eaten suddenly changed under its influence. It is true that some early grown turnips are, in favourable seasons, thoroughly ripened by warmth, but only a very small portion is matured by this agency. It is very probable that an examination of roots ripened by the frost, would show that under its influence diastase is formed throughout those portions of the plant which have been exposed to its action. The influence of this diastase would render the formation of gum and sugar a very prompt sequel, and the question of the bulb remaining solid, or becoming rotten, would probably be determined by its more or less watery character.

The small proportion of solid food contained in our best swedes and turnips shows the great importance of their never being relied upon as the only food for an animal. Dry food of some kind should always be supplied. This is necessary when the bulbs are thoroughly good, but if they are badly grown, the need for supplemental food becomes still greater. It is a very great disadvantage for any kind of stock to be kept upon food, which neither satisfies the appetite, nor enables the functions of the

The

body to be performed in a healthy manner. losses in some of our ewe flocks, have been clearly shown to have arisen very largely from this cause. It is known to be the worst possible economy on any farm, for the food to be unequal to its proper duty; hence the great importance of supplemental food of a dry character being always given with swedes and turnips. Corn, oilcake, and meal may often be given with great advantage, and when judiciously employed they become a cheap means for improving the food and enriching the soil.

CHAPTER LX.

THE growth of Clover is gradually becoming of an increasing importance in the cultivation of the land. Under the term "grass" we embody a large number of very different kinds of plants, which are commonly known as "natural grasses." Under the term "clovers we include not only the true clovers (genus, Trifolium), but also a series of (leguminous) plants, differing in character in a very marked degree, and we distinguish the entire group as "artificial grasses." The proper cultivation of these is daily becoming more and more important. There are difficulties which interfere with their successful cultivation, which have received careful consideration from agriculturists; and we may possibly gather from their experience some lessons of truth.

The term clover sickness has been given to that condition of soil which does not permit of the clover making a successful growth. For a long time this was traced to the exhaustion of the soil of certain substances which were needed for the crop. There is a certain measure of truth in the explanation given, but it does not meet the case fully. An examination of the Tables given (pages 102 and 120), showing the mineral ingredients removed from the soil by a crop of clover, proves how extensive is the demand thus made on the soil. The mechanical condition of these clover-sick soils was often an equally powerful condition, for when the roots of these "artificial grasses were prevented searching for food, a deficiency arose from inability to reach the plant-food actually present in the soil.

One of the peculiarities of clover sickness is the early loss of plant, even after it has commenced its growth. This is, in many cases, due to the use of seed grown in a warmer climate, and thereby rendered so delicate as to be unable to withstand the more trying weather to which it is exposed. Another and still more frequent loss of plant may be traced to the injury done to the young plant, by allowing sheep to be fed upon it in the first autumn of its growth. Sheep are especially disposed to eat into the centre of the young plant and take the crown, consequently the water penetrates into the plant and it perishes. Happily the system is extending, by which the young plants have the fine weather of autumn reserved for their uninterrupted

growth. The consequence is that the roots are extending beneath the soil, as freely as the plant grows above the surface. It is true that the foliage grown in the autumn is not eaten; it falls to the ground, and some say it is so much food wasted. Experience teaches us that it is a prudent sacrifice, for any foliage so falling decays, and is reproduced in the following season; but what is of infinitely greater importance is that the plant is being strengthened for its legitimate duty, instead of being injured or destroyed. When it has this period of growth free from all interruption, we find it very much better prepared for its work in the spring, for even before any marked appearance of growth is visible above the surface, the roots are actively engaged below. The general result is, that instead. of killing off a large proportion of the clover, and giving the credit of the loss to clover sickness, the plants have a way of escape given to them, and in the following season they abundantly repay the cultivator.

Much of what has been called clover sickness may be traced to the clover seeds being sown with a corn crop. In some years-warm and moist seasons especially the young clover-seeds are encouraged to grow with too great rapidity, and the feeble growth rises high amongst the corn. The fact is instead of the young plants devoting all their strength to rooting themselves into the soil, their energy is mis-directed, and much growth is made amongst the corn, which of necessity weakens the clover-plant.

It has not

only failed to make a strong root in the soil, but it has also incapacitated itself for doing so. If after this weakening process it regains some strength during the autumn, only to receive further injury from sheep grazing upon it, no one need be surprised at a loss

It may be difficult

of clover-plant before the spring. and expensive to avoid sowing clover-seeds in corn, but at any rate experience teaches us that an injury is sometimes inflicted on the clover-plant, and that it at least deserves careful treatment afterwards.

The application of farm-yard manure to young clover-seeds is a practice which has produced most satisfactory results, and this is only another means for preparing the clover-plant for making its future growth strong and successful. Reference has already been made to the extension of cloverroot, and the important influence which is thereby exerted on the fertility of the soil. There is an advantage from this system on almost every kind of soil, for if it be carried out on clay-soils or clayloams, the surface soil is mellowed in a manner nothing else can equal, and this intermixture of rich organic matter greatly improves its fertility. If the soils be of an opposite description-sands and sandy loams-a strong growth of clover-root entirely modifies the nature of the surface soil, and imparts to it points of character, which it never before possessed. Soils which are hungry-because they cannot keep any manure which may be added to them, and therefore need a constant renewal of supply,-these soils are altered by the growth of clover, so that the