286 THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES 



Sow in spring as soon as the ground is fit. Sow 

 again in late July for the fall crop. 



Cultivate until the tops cover the ground. 

 Fertilize with nitrate of soda, 300 pounds per acre 

 in two equal dressings, one at or soon after sowing 

 (keep the nitrate from seed or seedlings!) and the other 

 three or four weeks later. Or dress 

 lightly every week. For a general 

 fertilizer, per acre, "20 pounds of 

 nitrogen (derived in part from 

 nitrate of soda), 40 pounds of phos- 

 phoric acid (derived in large part 

 from phosphates) and 40 pounds 

 of potash (derived from muriates) 

 would be a fair dressing on soils of 

 good character.' 1 Voorhees. This 

 should be worked into the soil 

 before sowing. 



Dig early plants when of proper 

 size. Dig fall crop before the ground freezes. Turnips 

 will live over winter in the ground, but the roots are 

 often injured by freezing. 



Diseases. Club-root is the most troublesome; no 

 satisfactory remedies have been found. It will be best 

 not to plant upon infested ground until the disease has 

 died out; or use only those varieties, such as the flat 

 turnips, which grow well cut of, or sit upon, the surface 

 of the ground. 



Fig. 139. 

 Turnip, the flat type. 



