352 CALIFORNIA VEGETABLES. 



beets and carrots which are making their re-enlargement 

 from the previous spring sowing, to feed in the winter ; he 

 can have for late summer use, corn and squashes, which 

 grow riotously in summer heat which distresses the turnip. 

 He does well enough without the turnip, in view of its be- 

 havior and his own supplies from other sources. 



The vegetables, then, which we group in this chapter, 

 must be estimated alone upon their table value, and here, 

 too, they are afflicted by an ill-disposition. They are not 

 good keepers in this climate, and, though they can be 

 packed away in sand for use during our warm, rainy win- 

 ter, the people have other supplies of fresher character in 

 the winter, and do not find either turnips or parsnips as 

 desirable as they are in wintry countries. 



Turnips and rutabagas are then reduced to claim popu- 

 larity upon their excellence as quickly grown for immedi- 

 ate use when mature, and under this restriction they cer- 

 tainly enjoy a fair measure of popularity. Kohl-rabi is 

 very little used and its narrow fame is chiefly confined to 

 citizens of French and German descent. 



Culture. The growth of all these plants is simple and 

 can be undertaken anywhere in .Calif ornia, providing their 

 dislike of summer heat and dry air is borne in mind. The 

 culture methods prescribed for the beet and carrot befit 

 the turnip in the direction of preparation of soil, sowing 

 the seed and cultivation. The plants are hardy against 

 frost and can be successfully produced all through our val- 

 ley winters. Sowing for winter use may begin early in the 

 fall on irrigated ground or as soon as the rains fall. Sow- 

 ing for spring and early summer can be done at any time 

 during the winter when the soil is sufficiently dry and 

 warm for germination and growth of the seedling. In 

 valleys of heavy rainfall and frosts, February sowing may 

 be best for spring use, but in warmer, drier parts earlier 

 sowing is desirable. The plant needs adequate moisture 

 and a moderate temperature, and its growth is a matter of 

 conditions not of the calendar. It is plain, then, that tur- 



