s 
THE DICTIONARY OF GARDENING, 
Turnip—continued. 
actually intermingled with it; but frequently, also, they 
grow apart from one another. The White Rust resem- 
bles splashes of whitewash, when the conidia are matured 
on the diseased spots, which latter are usually swollen 
and distorted. It occurs on stems, leaves, and flowers. 
The Fungus (Cystopus candidus) is nearly related, in a 
good many points, to Peronospora. For an account of its 
structure, and of the treatment to be employed against 
it, see Rust. 
The leaves frequently show spots or patches, often 
lin. or more in breadth, at first yellowish, but soon 
becoming withered and dry. On these spots, the micro- 
scope shows minute Fungi. On some, there may be 
found slender conidia (with many septa, or cross-walls), 
on the tips of short threads, pushed through the stomata. 
This form of Fungus has been named Cercospora Blowami 
by Messrs. Berkeley and Broome. On other spots occur 
small dark Pycnidia (which see), in which are produced 
small, oval, pale sporidia, one-celled (Phyllosticta Bras- 
sic), or two-celled (Ascochyta Brassica). 
uncertain. Turnips do not suffer very seriously from 
the presence of these Fungi, as the latter seldom affect 
the young, vigorous leaves, but prefer the lower leaves 
when already half-dead. It is, therefore, unnecessary to 
dwell upon treatment, further than to mention that it 
is a wise precaution to destroy—if possible, by fire—all 
leaves overgrown with parasites. 
Two other Fungi have been described as occasionally 
very injurious to Turnips in Germany, and a brief 
notice of them will not be out of place here. Poly- 
desmus ewitiosus is the name given by Dr. J. Kühn to 
a Fungus described by him as extremely injurious to 
-Turnips, destroying both the leaves and the unripe seed- 
vessels. Very dark spots appear on the diseased organs; 
the spots spread, and the tissues become discoloured, 
and dry up. If the seed-vessels are attacked while 
- young, the seeds do not ripen; but if the disease is late 
in its appearance, they may ripen, but are soon destroyed, 
the valves of the fruit shrivelling, and bursting away 
prematurely. In the diseased tissues, the mycelium of a 
Fungus is present in abundance, absorbing the nourish- 
ment in the cells, and destroying the cell contents and 
cell walls. From this mycelium rise erect branches, 
which project through the epidermis of the leaf, and 
-~ bear, on their tips, conidia that vary much in form, 
but that, when mature, are clavate, being fixed by 
= the broader end, and having the other prolonged as a 
= slender filament; or there may be a series of from five 
to ten such conidia, end to end, forming a chain. The 
conidia are dull or brown-violet, and are divided into 
cells, by numerous cross-walls, and a few longitudinal 
ones. The conidia readily fall off the erect branches, 
and germinate speedily, in damp, warm weather, spread- 
ing the disease if they fall on green parts of Turnip- 
plants, under suitable conditions. This Fungus produces 
brown, withered spots in the parts affected, often sur- 
rounded by a yellow or reddish border. On these spots 
develop Pyenidia (which see) of Phyllosticta Brassice, 
and perithecia of a Pleospora (which see), perhaps 
= P. herbarum. The only treatment possible is to en- 
deayour to prevent future attacks, by destroying diseased 
parts of plants without delay. 
Peziza sclerotiorum is blamed by Dr. Frank as the 
- cause of a peculiar disease of Turnips, which was pre- 
= valent, near Leipzig, in 1879. The plants became yellow 
during July. The cause of this was a diseased state 
of the stems, commonly near the base, which manifested 
itself in a pale colour, and in a separation between the 
epidermis and the tissues below it. On breaking the 
= stem, the pith is found occupied by a black, oval body, 
the sclerotium, from which the above Peziza grows out 
in the fi ing spring. For an account of the structure 
The relations | 
between the Fungi found on such patches are still very © 
Turnip—continued. 
of the Fungus, and of the treatment advised against it, 
see Peziza.. : 
Sorts. These are very numerous, but it is unnecessary 
to grow many varieties if attention is given to include 
those which are adapted for early use, and others for 
main crops. The shapes and outsid@ colours vary in the 
different sorts; but this is of little importance, provided 
the inner flesh is of good quality. The flesh is either 
white or yellow: white-fleshed varieties are generally 
yellow ones are more largely cultivated in the north. 
Fig. 130. EARLY STRAP-LEAVED WHITE STONE TURNIP. 
CHIRK CASTLE BLACK STONE, skin black; very fine and hardy. 
EARLY PARIS MARKET, white, oblong in shape ; early, a much- 
esteemed French variety. EARLY PURPLE-TOP MUNICH, distinct 
and very early ; one of the most valuable for frame culture and 
for early crops, the produce is at its best when about i € 
parts ‘grown. EARLY RED AMERICAN STRAP-LEA 
kt. 
x a. 131. ORANGE JELLY ae 4 
preferred in the southern division of the country, while - 
