30 THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES 



TURNIPS 



This vegetable may be had in season all the year 

 round, though it is not at all plentiful from March 

 to May. Of course, in fields there is no lack of 

 these roots if clamped, and we may in a measure 

 take a hint from the large grower, as in gardens 

 the roots of the early summer sown are poor and 

 flavourless at the season named. It may be said 

 that the demand is not great at the difficult period 

 noted, but I find that small, sweet, good-flavoured turnips 

 are always in demand. It is useless to sow in summer, 

 and expect this sowing to last till the next spring. 

 Such roots are too coarse ; they soon grow out, get 

 soft, and are flavourless. On the other hand, young 

 turnips may be had much earlier than is often attempted. 

 The long-rooted variety here illustrated, Carter's Early 

 Forcing, is admirably adapted for early supplies. This, 

 sown in February, the quarter being covered with 

 dry litter at night or in cold weather, will give nice 

 roots early in the spring. It is a remarkably quick 

 growing variety, and is good for frame culture, as 

 it may be had in April in a warm frame. I have 

 referred to this variety, as it is even earlier than the 

 Milan types, which are much liked on the Continent, 

 and are among the best for first crop in the open. 

 Both the Red and White Milan should be eaten as soon 

 as they are large enough to use, as these varieties so 

 soon lose flavour. 



There are other early kinds, such as the Early Paris 

 Market, a stump -rooted variety largely grown in 

 France. For June or July supplies, I do not know 

 of any turnip equal in all respects to the shapely 

 Snowball, a white early root of great merit. Again, 

 the White Gem is not unlike the forcing turnip that 

 is illustrated. It is a splendid root for summer 



