Market-Garden Crops 289 



cussion following will give consideration to the various 

 groups of edible plants as outlined by L. H. Bailey, and 

 as much detail concerning each plant as is practicable. 

 This grouping is an excellent one because it is based upon 

 the object of growth, which is an important factor in the 

 cultural methods and fertilization of the various vege- 

 tables. 



ROOT CROPS 

 Beets and turnips. 



The early table beet and the early turnip are very im- 

 portant market-garden crops. Wherever grown, whether 

 in the South for the northern market, or in the middle 

 states for the near-by market, earliness is a primary con- 

 sideration; and the earliness of the crop is determined 

 largely by the amount and availability of the nitrogen 

 and phosphoric acid applied. These are the two elements 

 which, more than any others, modify and dominate the 

 growth of these plants, and contribute to their profitable 

 production as early market-garden crops. In the case of 

 early turnips particularly, a difference of two or three 

 days in the beginning of the harvest will often determine 

 the profit or loss upon the crop. The experience of many 

 growers confirms the view that for no other crop is the 

 necessity for right fertilization more important. Since 

 the early growth of these crops takes place before active 

 nitrification begins in the soil, dependence for this element 

 must be placed upon the nitrogen applied, and it is desir- 

 able not only that the soils should be well supplied at the 

 time of planting with all of the constituents, but that fre- 

 quent top-dressings of the soluble nitrate shall be made. 

 Top-dressings are recommended because the application 

 of a sufficient amount of the nitrogen in this form at the 



