94 GROW YOUR OWN VEGETABLES 



should be open in winter and shaded in summer. Sow 

 the seeds from late February onwards in drills sprinkled 

 liberally with superphosphate, soot, and the ash from 

 bonfires, all lightly covered with earth. Thin out the 

 young plants until they stand ten inches apart and use 

 the thinnings for table purposes. Hoe the ground 

 constantly and give plenty of water. 



Turnip-tops are a form of green vegetable much appre- 

 ciated by many. If an early supply is required, sow seed 

 thickly and broadcast and do not wait for the roots to 

 form before gathering. Or leave the roots of a last 

 year's crop in the ground. They will sprout in the spring 

 and give a more tasty supply of greens than is obtained 

 from a fresh sowing. 



Swede Turnips are much appreciated by country folk 

 and should be more often grown by town allotment- 

 holders as they are a useful and tasty food. Sow in 

 damp but not wet ground and keep moist in summer. 

 Being gross feeders, liquid manure must be given 

 frequently. Scatter the seed in drills during May and 

 thin out the seedlings so that they eventually stand 

 a foot apart. Frost has but little effect on the roots 

 when growing, but those that are lifted must be stored 

 in a clamp. 



The Turnip Flea or Beetle is a very destructive pest 

 which feeds on the leaves, sometimes eating them com- 

 pletely away. To check their depredations, speed up the 

 growth of the plants and dust them with lime or soot. 



It is not every grower who wishes to store turnips ; 

 those who do will find the Board of Agriculture's leaflet 

 No. 153 of much interest. 



