360 The Profitable Culture of Vegetables. 



surface of the ground is dry enough to bear working on, it 

 should be brought to a fine tilth. The seed may be sown 

 broadcast or in drills, covered lightly with soil and pressed 

 down firmly. If the soil contains sufficient moisture, germina- 

 tion will take place at once. Thinning should be done as soon 

 as the seedlings are large enough to handle, first reducing all 

 thick clusters and then going over them carefully so that none 

 stand nearer than 4in. apart all over the bed. This allows 

 enough room for the early roots, which are never grown large, 

 the aim being to grow them quickly and market them as soon 

 as three-parts grown, whilst tender and of good flavour. 



For succession, sow- 

 ings may be made in 

 more open situations, 

 advantage being taken 

 of spaces between rows 

 of peas and other veget- 

 ables, from which catch- 

 crops of a fast-growing 

 variety of Turnips can 

 be taken before either 

 crop is inconvenienced. 

 These later sowings 

 should always be made 

 in drills and if in more 

 than single rows not nearer than 12in. apart, and the plants 

 thinned to Gin. apart in the row. A sowing in May should be 

 the last for summer supplies, and this should be made, when 

 possible, in a situation sheltered from the hot mid-day sun- 

 not that the Turnip will not thrive in full sunshine, but moisture 

 is imperative if good roots are to be produced. If the soil gets 

 dry, and is allowed to remain so, many of the plants will "bolt" 

 without bulbing, and such roots as do swell will be hot and 

 stringy. Where there is a large breadth the idea of watering 

 cannot be entertained, and the crop has to take its chance until 

 rain comes, but on small-sized patches the crop could often be 

 made secure by one good soaking with water. At all times the 

 surface soil should be kept loose and free from weeds ; this 

 assists quick growth and checks evaporation of soil moisture. 



Copyright, V. A. & Co. 



Early Six-weeks, or Jersey Lily Turnip. 



