THE RUTA-BAGA. 45 



when cleaned, is of a beautiful purple," though it appears 

 black when first drawn from the earth ; and the coat, when 

 cut through, shows the purple very finely. 



Bulb rather elongated, somewhat cyliudri- Rose-colored 

 cal, contracted abruptly to a long, slender Sc S^cm^ ESE 

 tap-root ; size full medium, average speci- 

 mens measuring five inches in length, and two inches in 

 diameter at the broadest part ; skin bright rose ; flesh firm, 

 and rather piquant ; leaves large, the leaf-stems washed 

 with rose-red. Season between that of the Cray Turnip- 

 rooted and the Black Spanish. 



Root somewhat fusiform, retaining its "Winter "White 

 diameter for two-thirds the length, sharply 

 conical at the base, and, when well grown, measuring seven 

 or eight inches in length by nearly three inches in its fullest 

 diameter ; skin white, slightly wrinkled, sometimes tinged 

 with purple where exposed to the sun ; flesh white, solid, 

 and pungent, though milder than that of the Black Spanish. 



It succeeds best, and is of the best quality, when grown 

 in light, sandy soil. Season intermediate. 



RUTA-BAGA, OR SWEDE TURNIP. 



Russian Turnip. French Turnip. Brassica campcstris Ruta- 

 baga. De Cand. 



The Ruta-baga, or Swede Turnip, is supposed by De 

 Candolle to be analogous to the Kohl Rabi ; the root being 

 developed into a large, fleshy bulb, instead of the stem. In 

 its natural state, the root is small and slender, and the stem 

 smooth and branching, not much exceeding two feet in 

 height. 



