HOME VEGETABLE GARDENING 



TURNIPS HOW TO CULTIVATE, AND FIGHT 

 INSECTS 



AS SOON as the young seedlings are two to three inches 

 tall, thin them out. The small, early kinds may be 

 left to grow three inches apart in the row, while six inches 

 is about right for the very large, late rutabagas. After the 

 young plants outgrow the baby stage, they become 

 healthy, rugged weeds and require little attention except 

 that they should be hoed about once a week. 



Turnips have two insect enemies which are easily com- 

 bated. While the plants are small they are apt to be at- 

 tacked by the small Mack flea beetle which riddles the 

 leaves with fine holes and causes the plants to die. Slug 

 Shot or tobacco dust, sprinkled over the tops, while wet 

 with rain or dew, will quickly drive away the beetles. 



The other and more serious pests are root maggots 

 infesting the soil. Where they appear in any appreciable 

 number it is best to shift the turnip rows to another part 

 of the garden. 



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