512 THE farmers' handbook. 



White turnips can be grown at almost any time of the year, except in 

 midsummer, though in vegetable gardens where water is available there 

 is no need to avoid even that short period. The sowings of these varieties, 

 however, should only be sufficient to cover the immediate requirements 

 of the season, especially in hot weather, as they readily run to seed. 



Sowing. 



In the coastal and tableland districts 2 lb. of seed is generally sown 

 in drills about 2 feet (i inches apart, and 3 lb. to 4 lb. broadcast. In the 

 drier districts a smaller quantity of seed, say 1£ lb. drilled per acre, would 

 be ample. 



When turnips and Swedes are grown under dry conditions, the best results 

 will be invariably obtained when they are planted on the flat, in land deeply 

 worked and well cultivated. 



Fertilisers. 



The results of experiments with fertilisers for Swede turnips go to show 

 that a supply of soluble phosphoric acid is very essential to the crop, 

 owing, not so much to the quantity taken from the soil as to the peculiar 

 inability it appears to have, in comparison with many other crops, of utilis- 

 ing the supplies naturally existing in the soil. Superphosphate, applied at 

 the rate of \ cwt. to 1 cwt. per acre, supplies a readily available form of 

 phosphoric acid, and the crop responds to its application with a largely 

 increased yield. It has a marked effect upon the young plants, inducing a 

 vigorous, healthy growth from the very start; indeed, no crop is more 

 readily benefited by applications of this useful fertiliser, or makes more 

 efficient and apparent use of it when the results are determined by the 

 weight of the yield. 



Treatment of the Growing Crop. 



As soon as the young plants are about 1 to 2 inches in height, it is 

 advisable to thin them out. For a field crop the plants should be left 12 to 

 15 inches apart in the drills. The thinning out is best clone with a sharp 

 hoe. The soil between the drills must be kept well loosened with a culti- 

 vator. This will keep down the weeds and help the soil to catch and retain 

 moisture. 



100-0 parts. 



Although the percentage of water appears high, it must be remembered 

 that the dry matter is practically all digestible. This cannot be said of a 

 great many other stock foods. Succulence, bulk, palatableness, digestibility 

 of the dry matter, and the high percentage of sugar contained, give turnips 

 a peculiar value as a food. Sheep and goats fatten readily when fed on them 



