78 ESCULENT ROOTS. 



Taking the Crop. The roots will be fit for use from Oc- 

 tober till April. They may be taken from the ground for 

 immediate use ; or a quantity may be taken up in autumn, 

 before the closing-up of the ground, and packed in sand, for 

 use during the winter. 



To raise Seed. Leave or transplant some of the best 

 yearling plants, and th'ey will produce an abundance of seed 

 in autumn. 



Use. The roots, as well as the leaves, have a pleasant, 

 nut-like flavor, and are generally eaten in their crude state as 

 a salad. 



RUTA-BAGA, OR SWEDE TURNIP. 



Russian Turnip. French Turnip. Brassica campestris Ruta-baga. 

 De Cand. 



The Ruta-baga, or Swede Turnip, is supposed by De Can- 

 dolle to be analogous to the Kohl Rabi ; the root being devel- 

 oped into a large, fleshy bulb, instead of the stem. In its 

 natural state the root is small and slender ; and the stem 

 smooth and branching, not much exceeding two feet in 

 height. 



The bulbs or roots are fully developed during the first 

 year. The plant flowers and produces its seed the second 

 year, and then perishes. Although considered hardy, not 

 being affected by even severe frosts, none of the varieties 

 will withstand the winters of the Northern or Middle States 

 in the open ground. The crop should therefore be harvested 

 in October or November, and stored for the winter out of 

 danger from freezing. Most of the sorts now cultivated re- 

 tain their freshness and solidity till spring, and some even into 

 the summer ; requiring no particular care in their preserva- 

 tion, other than that usually given to the carrot or the potato. 



