324 ON THE MATURATION OF GRAIN 



The turnip is cultivated to provide a supply 

 of fresh food for cattle during the vpinter months, 

 and render less necessary the growth of so much 

 grass in summer as, being made into hay, will 

 maintain the cattle during the winter. The value 

 of the turnip crop for such a service will therefore 

 depend upon quality, as well as quantity. The 

 roots of all biennial plants are intended by nature 

 for storing up provisions for the fertilisation of 

 the ovules, and maturation of the seed during their 

 second season of growth ; and they continue to 

 store up such provisions, as long as the roots 

 increase. The period of growth or increase of 

 roots will vary with the season, and the variety 

 of turnip cultivated ; yet, in no season will be 

 later than the end of November. So far as 

 quantity of food then is concerned, turnips will 

 be ready for gathering by that time. And if we 

 test the quality, we shall find that it also remains 

 unaltered during the winter months, until the 

 bulbs begin to sprit in the following season. In 

 gathering turnips therefore, they should all be 

 so stored as to preclude the possibility of spritting 

 during their season of repose. And this may be 

 done by keeping them cool during the winter, 

 either by placing them in thin strata under 

 fences, and so covering them as to keep out the 



