THE RUTA-BAGA. 49 



Root regularly turbinate, or fusiform, of full River's. 

 medium size, smooth, and with few small or 

 fibrous roots ; neck tAvo inches long ; skin, above ground, 

 green, washed with purplish-red where most exposed to the 

 sun, below ground, yellow ; flesh yellow, firm, sweet, and 

 well-flavored. 



Esteemed one of the best, either for stock or for the table. 

 Keeps fresh till May or June. 



Bulb ovoid, or regularly turbinate, and Skirvings 

 rather deeper in proportion to its diameter 

 than the common Purple-top Yellow ; surface PROVED ^PUBPLE- 

 smooth and even, with few fibrous roots, and 

 seldom deformed by larger accidental roots, although, in 

 unfavorable soils or seasons, a few coarse roots are put 

 forth in the vicinity of the tap-root ; size full medium, 

 five to seven inches in length, and four or five inches in 

 diameter. Neck short, but, when grown in poor soil, com- 

 paratively long ; skin, above ground, fine, deep purple, 

 below ground, yellow, the colors often richly blending 

 together at the surface ; flesh yellow, of solid texture, 

 sweet, and welkflavored. 



This variety was originated by Mr. William Skirving, 

 of Liverpool, Eng. In this country it has been widely 

 disseminated, and is now more generally cultivated for 

 table use and for stock than any other of the Swede varie- 

 ties. The plants seldom fail to form good-sized bulbs. It 

 is a good keeper ; is of more than average quality for the 

 table ; and long experience has proved it one of the best 

 sorts for cultivation on land that is naturally shallow and 

 in poor condition. On soils in a high state of cultivation, 

 upwards of nine hundred bushels have been obtained from 

 an acre. 



In sowing, allow twenty inches between the rows, and 

 thin to ten or twelve inches in the rows. 



