RADISHES, TURNIPS, AND RUTABAGAS 7 



an experiment, edible radishes have been developed 

 from this charlock. So it seems probable that it is the 

 plant from which the radish came. 



The most troublesome enemy of the radish is the 

 Radish Maggot. This is one of the root maggots that 

 ruins the roots for food. Eggs are laid by a two-winged 

 fly about the base of the young plant. These soon 

 hatch into larvae that feed upon the thickened root, 

 burrowing through it in all directions. After a few 

 weeks they become full grown as larvae and change to 

 pupae, to change again soon into two-winged flies. A 

 heavy mulching of unleached wood ashes or refuse 

 tobacco powder over the rows just after sowing is said 

 to be a good remedy for the pest. The earliest crop of 

 radishes is seldom infested. A good way to save a 

 later crop would be to start it under gauze-covered 

 frames, as recommended for starting cabbage plants, 

 taking the covers off when the crop is half grown. 

 Frequent rotation of the radish bed is desirable. 



' The Turnip and the Rutabaga 



The origin of the Turnip is not known. It is be- 

 lieved to have been first cultivated in Europe or Asia. 

 It belongs to the great mustard family. The thickened 

 roots are used as a culinary vegetable as well as for 

 stock feed. Two common types of turnips are grown, 

 the Flat and the Globular. The flesh is white or yellow. 



Like the radish, the Turnip is a cool season crop, 

 doing best in early spring or late summer and autumn. 

 It requires a rich moist soil and is grown either in drills 

 or broadcast. The chief enemy is the root maggot, to 

 prevent which crop rotation is necessary. 



