TO MA TO TURNIP 133 



For the open ground it is important to choose a variety that ripens 

 early. The plants should be vigorous, and they must be carefully 

 hardened before they are put out. The end of May is usually the 

 right time, but Tomatoes will not endure a keen east wind or nipping 

 frost. During the prevalence of unfavourable weather it is advisable 

 to wait a week or more rather than risk the destruction of the plants. 

 When the temperature appears to be fairly reliable, put them into 

 holes a foot deep and eighteen inches across, filled with light soil 

 not too rich. For a few nights until the roots take hold slight pro- 

 tection should be at hand to assure safety ; Sea- Kale pots answer 

 admirably and are easily placed in position. In addition to beds all 

 sorts of places are suitable for Tomatoes, such as under warm palings 

 or walls, on sloping banks and in sheltered nooks, where they will 

 thrive and yield valuable fruit. Thus in cottage gardens a supply of 

 this delicacy may be insured for part of the year equal in quality to 

 fruit which is grown in the glass houses of the wealthy. 



TURNIP 



(Brassica Rapd] 



THE TURNIP is not a difficult garden crop, indeed the simplest 

 management will produce an ample supply, and any fairly good 

 ground will suffice for it. But whatever is worth doing is worth 

 doing well, and a gardener may be pardoned for taking an especial 

 pride in producing a sufficiency of handsome and tender Turnips. 

 The great point is to insure a succession through a long season, or 

 say, the whole year round, for Turnips are always in request, and at 

 certain periods of the year delicate young roots are greatly valued for 

 the table. 



The finest Turnips are grown in deep, sandy loam, kept in a high 

 state of cultivation. Useful Turnips may be grown on any soil, but 

 a handsome sample of the finest quality cannot be produced on heavy 

 clay or a thin limestone soil. In common with other fast-growing 

 plants of the cruciferous order, Turnips must have lime in some form, 

 and it will occasionally be necessary in many gardens to give a dress- 

 ing of it in addition to the ordinary manure. Superphosphate, bone 

 and old plaster or mortar from destroyed buildings, are all valuable in 

 preparing the soil for this crop. 



It is advisable to sow Turnips in drills on a fine tilth, and it is an 



