276 THE TUENIP CROP, 



exactly the same conditions, in a good, easy- working, black 

 trap soil, and manured with sixteen double cart-loads of 

 well-rotted compost, and in addition from 4 to 5 bushels 

 of bone-dust strewed in the drills above the manure. 

 The growth was satisfactory throughout, and the roots 

 were lifted at the end of October, a portion of each lot 

 measured, and the produce carefully weighed, giving the 

 following results: 



Names of Varieties. Wei S ht &* Acre ' 



Of the common turnip the number of varieties is far 

 greater. Lawson enumerates and describes no less than 

 forty-six. These may all be divided into the round or globe- 

 shaped (depressa), or those approaching the tankard form 

 (oblonga), and are generally distinguished by the colour 

 of the tops of the bulbs, which are either purple, yellow, 

 green, or white. Of the purple-top varieties, the 



Common, or "Purple-top" Aberdeen, is an old and de- 

 servedly esteemed variety, very hardy, with comparatively 

 short spreading leaves of a darkish colour, growing clean 

 out of bulb. The bulb is globular, of medium size, dark 

 purple above and deep yellow below the ground, with 

 small tap-root. 



The Berwickshire and Skirving's improved purple-top 

 yellows are also excellent varieties. 



The Aberdeen "green-top" yellow, in the size and shape 

 of its bulb, resembles the purple-top, and is a valuable sort 

 for winter keep, as it is able to stand the vicissitudes of 

 the winter climate with less injury than most others. On 



