344 REPORT ON THE COMPARATIVE PRODUCTIVENESS OF TURNIPS. 



The swedes were sown on 19th May, and the crop was lifted 

 and weighed on oth December. The yellows were sown on 14th 

 June, and the crop was lifted and weighed on 5th December. 

 The white turnips were sown on 18th June, and the crop was 

 lifted and weighed on 5th December. 



The season of 1866 was, in the north of Scotland, highly 

 favourable to the growth of the turnip crop, which was above an 

 average, with the exception of some fields where anbury or "finger- 

 and-toe" prevailed. The experimental plots were all somewhat 

 affected by the disease, which reduced the weight of the crop. 



General Observations. — The purple-top varieties of swedes, and 

 also of yellow, are all more or less oblong or oval in shape, con- 

 sequently the bulbs stand farther out of the ground, and are 

 more exposed to the deteriorating action of frost than those of a 

 more globular shape. They are usually of less specific gravity, 

 but if used early, or if lifted and stored, they are quite as good 

 as the green-top varieties, and they usually grow to be a heavier 

 crop. The green-top varieties are generally of a round or 

 globular shape, the bulbs do not stand so far out of the ground, 

 and are more easily earthed up than the purple-topped varieties. 



Wherever it is practicable, the great bulk of the turnip crop 

 should be lifted and stored by the end of December, so as to 

 avoid the risk of severe bare frosts, which in some years dete- 

 riorate the quality and weight to a great extent. We have tried 

 the specific gravity of turnips, both before and after a severe 

 bare frost, and found swedes reduced by it from 1*01 to "92, 

 and even to "90, while yellows were reduced from about - 1 to 

 as low as '8, which showed that one-fifth of the entire weight 

 had disappeared ; and the feeding qualities were so reduced, 

 that, to keep the cattle in an improving state, we had to use an 

 additional quantity of oilcake, not previously calculated upon. 

 If the crop is lifted and properly stored, all risk from frost is 

 avoided ; and even white turnips, if sound when lifted, can be 

 kept till the warm weather of spring induces decay in the heap. 



Drummonds' extra improved purple-top swede is a large free- 

 growing variety ; it produces a heavy crop of large fleshy bulbs. 

 On account of its tankard shape it does not stand frost well, and 

 the top or shaw is rather coarse. For early use, or if lifted and 

 stored before severe frost, this is one of the best varieties in 

 cultivation. 



Hast Lothian purple-top is an excellent variety; it produces 

 a good crop of oval-shaped bulbs. 



Green-top is a very hardy variety, of excellent shape ; stands 

 the winter well. The weight per acre is seldom so great as the 

 purple-top varieties. 



Laincjs swede did well in 1864. We sowed a few acres in 

 1805, but were disappointed with the result. It seems too 



