December 18, 1814.
Sir,
Herewith you receive my report of a small piece of land, planted with Mangel Wurzel by Colonel Elliott. I have been as correct as possible, and have to observe, that I think the culture of it well worth the attention of every farmer.
The latter end of April, 1814, ten poles of land were sown with Mangel Wurzel, 20 inches distance, in drills; the plants in the row thinned to about 15 inches. The land poor, consisting principally of brick rubbish and road scrapings, with a slight coat of rotten dung previous to the sowing. It had two hoeings after the plants were thinned. The plants in two of the rows, about the centre of the piece, were set out 2 feet apart, but these were not larger than where they were at 15 inches.
On the 8th of November the whole crop was taken up, and, after cutting off the heads, were packed up in a loft. To prevent any incorrectness in calculating the weight by the number of the roots, the whole crop was weighed, which amounted to 3 tons, 1 cwt. 56 pounds, which is according to the rate of 49 tons 4 cwt. per acre. A large portion of the roots weighed from 7 lbs. to 12 lbs. each. When the rows were first thinned, some other pieces were planted with the spare plants, but these did not succeed so well: they were much less than the others.
Hogs are remarkably fond of this root, and thrive very fast with it: cows are also very eager after both leaves and root. Colonel Elliott began feeding his cows with the Mangel Wurzel in July; the weather being very dry, we were very short of grass. We began with the leaves, and soon after with the roots of two pieces, which were transplanted. The cows looked well and increased in their milk, and were partially fed with the roots till the crop was taken up. The roots were then sliced, and as much of them given to the cows (with a little hay) as they could eat; the milk increased immediately, and the cows improved in flesh.
My opinion is, that the Mangel Wurzel is a most valuable article of food to the farmer; because, in a severe winter, when turnips are in general destroyed, these roots, properly stacked in a dry place, and covered so as to prevent severe frosts from injuring them, will be a certain supply of nutricious and fattening food, (if cultivated in sufficient quantity) until the spring grass is fit to turn in upon. I should conceive, if the seed is put into the ground in the month of May, after the manner practised in drilling turnips on ridges, that no doubt can be entertained of obtaining a full crop. As Mangel Wurzel exceeds all other winter food, from being preserved under cover without injuring the quality, so it will prevent a recurrence to the expensive food of oil cake or corn.
I am, &c.
G. T. Boult.
Kentish Town,