120 



MY GARDEN. 



were attacked with disease till 1871, when they were attacked by 

 aphides and fungi. 



CULINARY ROOTS AND TUBERS. 



We grow several crops of Turnips (Brassica Rapa, fig. 172). The 

 first crop is sown early in March, and successional sowings are made 

 till the middle of August. There are many varieties ; we generally 

 prefer the American Strap Leaf and the White Stone, though some 

 prefer the Orange-jelly, which some again think objectionable on 



FIG. 172. Six Weeks' 

 Turnip, \ diam. 



FIG. 173. French Horn Carrot, J diatn. 



account of the yellow colour. Abroad, black- 

 skinned turnips and long turnips are sold at 

 every market-place. We sow the seed broad- 

 cast, and thin the young plants with the hoe. 

 Turnips have many enemies. They are eaten 

 up by the fly, they are attacked by aphides 

 and fungi, and they are also attacked by Fir " ^.-student Parsnip, ^ size. 

 caterpillars. The turnip is a classical root praised by Horace, who 



says 



"Acria circum 



Rapula, lactucae, radices, qualia lassum 

 Pervellunt stomachum." Satira viii. 



Several crops of Carrots (Daiicus Carota) are grown. The first crop 

 is sown in a frame over a little hot dung in February, and comes 

 in in May and June, and it is the most delicious of all. In March 



