VARIETIES CULTIVATED HYBRIDS. 281 



Swede and the turnip, it partakes far more of the character 

 of the latter, as the leaves are rough and of a vivid green 

 (not smooth and glaucous, like the Swede), and the roots 

 are similar in shape, though firmer in texture. 



Dale's Hybrid was introduced into cultivation in 1822-3, 

 by Mr. Dale, an intelligent Mid -Lothian farmer, who, 

 having received from a Berwickshire friend (James Sherriff, 

 Bastleridge), a small portion of the seed of a new hybridal 

 variety of turnip, sowed it, and by repeated selection and 

 careful impregnation of the produce, at length obtained 

 this highly esteemed variety, the distinguishing charac- 

 teristics of which are : strong and luxuriant foliage, well- 

 developed roots, oblong shape, sometimes varying towards 

 spherical, of a lightish yellow colour, with a bright green 

 top, small neck, and small tap-root. 



Compared with the ordinary varieties in cultivation, it 

 is found to arrive sooner at maturity, and consequently 

 admits of being sown later in the season; while, at the 

 same time, it is equally hardy, and will stand well through 

 our ordinary winters, or keep sound and fresh if stored 

 away before the frosts have touched it. It grows well out 

 of the ground, which renders it somewhat more sensitive 

 to frost than the deep-growing sorts, and is well adapted 

 for folding sheep upon, as it requires but little picking 

 after them ; it is also, for the same reason, well suited for 

 shallow or strong clay soils, being easily lifted. Great 

 care is required in the selection of seed, as of late years, 

 owing to neglect, arising in a great measure from the 

 increased demand, both the size and shape of the bulb 

 have shown a tendency to deteriorate. 



The other principal hybrid varieties are known as the 

 New Purple-top Hybrid, the Lawton Hybrid, the Woolton 

 Hybrid, Red-top White all of which, more or less, partake 

 of the characters already described. 



In regard to the relative productiveness of the common, 



