CHAP, XIX VILLA GARDENING 473 



weeks or so, if rightly cared for, will give a supply. The land 

 must be iu good condition both as to manure and tilth. In some 

 situations early in the season Turnips are a difficult crop to get 

 established, and mider such circumstances the culture and treatment 

 cannot be too liberal. It is always best to rush the crop over the 

 bad time by the use of stimulants in the shape of artificial manure. 

 In districts where the fly has been troublesome I have used super- 

 phosphate with advantage, and in a dry time I have soaked the 

 driUs with liquid manure made from guano and salt. In cases where 

 the crop had been frequently destroyed by fly it gave a remark- 

 ably vigorous plant, with great freedom from the fly's depredations. 

 In a general way I like to sow in drills, as it gives such facilities 

 for hoeing. Stirring the siu'face between the plants is a great 

 help. Kicking up a dust with the hoe when the flies or beetles 

 are hovering round very often serves to banish them to some other 

 garden or field. The May and June sowings should be made in 

 the coolest situation available ; but in July sow in an open exposed 

 place for autumn and early-winter use, and in August to obtain 

 nice little Turnips to stand the winter. The first or second week 

 in August is as late as they can be sown usefully. Thin the early 

 crops to 6 inches. Later on increase the distance apart to 12 or 

 1 5 inches, whicli need not be exceeded for garden Turnips, as they 

 do not require to be very large. 



Preserving them in Winter. — A full-grown Turnip is more 

 susceptible to injury from frost than a smaller bulb; therefore, 

 when frost sets in, if Ave want Turnips in a good fresh condition, 

 we must either cover them with leaves or litter on the ground, or 

 take up the roots and clamp them, as is done with Potatoes. It 

 is always a good plan to take up a part of the crop and preserve 

 the roots in this way : — Some may be packed away in a cool place 

 in the cellar or Potato store, the top being first cut off to within 

 half an inch of the crown of the bulb, Sometimes the plan adopted 

 in tlie field may be usefully employed in the garden. A deep drill 

 is drawn or opened with a spade, and the roots placed in with their 

 leaves only above ground, the earth closing in over the bulb. 

 Except in very severe winters this keeps them safe, and there is 

 no deterioration of flavour, which there must necessarily be when 

 fresh vegetables of any kind are packed up in a heap, for when 

 massed together they will always ferment. 



Insects and Diseases. — The fly is tlie most troublesome, and 

 the best antidote is to sow on fresh land. Do it well as regards 

 securing a good tilth, and help the plant over the bad time with 

 artificial manures, which should be sown in the drill either in a 

 liquid form or dry, according to times and seasons. Dustings of 



