306 THE TURNIP CROP. 



is, that we should, by paying attention to the seed and 

 general conditions of vegetation, secure bulbs of a good 

 and regular size. 



The after-growth of the crop receives no more assist- 

 ance than that afforded by the hoe in keeping down 

 the growth of the weeds, which should be attended 

 to as long as the horse can travel through without 

 injury to the plants, the spaces along the line of drill 

 being kept clean by hand-hoeing. Later in the season, 

 if the leaves continue flaccid, and "mildew" threatens, it 

 is generally advantageous to give the soil a good stirring 

 between the rows, for the purpose of enabling it to absorb 

 moisture from the dews and night air, for the use of the 

 languishing plant. Care must at this time be taken not 

 to go so near the drills as to injure the bulbs, or so deep 

 as to injure the roots, which ramify in every direction in 

 search of food. 



The various diseases and insect injuries incidental 

 to the turnip plant, during the various stages of its 

 growth, we will not refer to now, as they are fully 

 described a little further on, but proceed at once to the 

 last field operation, that of removing and storing, or other- 

 wise disposing of them when their growth is completed. 

 This usually takes place about the end of October or be- 

 ginning of the next month. The common turnips, though 

 sown the latest, are usually the first that are ready for 

 use on the farm. This precocity of growth being combined 

 with inferior keeping properties, usually cause .them to be 

 fed off on the land, or if removed to the homestead, to be 

 consumed at once as they are brought in. They are rarely 

 or never stored away for winter use. The other varieties 

 yellows, hybrids, and Swedes are those which possess 

 the best keeping qualities, and these have now to be dis- 

 posed of according to the probable winter requirements of 

 the farm. Here three principal considerations present 



