TURNIPS 193 



TURNIPS. 



Small sowings should be made frequently from the 

 beginning of March until the middle of September on 

 land that has been deeply broken up and manured the 

 previous season. The ground should first be raked 

 down with a wooden rake, and afterwards with an 

 iron one, leaving the surface well broken up and 

 friable. 



Whatever the ground is that has to be dealt with, 

 make drills about an inch deeper than is considered 

 necessary for the seed sowing, and into these place a 

 compost of the old soil from the potting bench, with 

 a peck each of soot, lime and wood ashes added to 

 every barrow load. Mix the whole thoroughly and 

 pass through a fine sieve. When the seed is sown 

 cover it with the same material. It will be neces- 

 sary to protect against birds, which are often very 

 troublesome. Garden netting should be stretched 

 over iron hoops, thus enabling the crop to be easily 

 thinned. This must be done as early as possible. 

 Copious supplies of water should be given in dry 

 weather, also a dusting of wood ashes and artificial 

 manure every week, and a dressing of soot once a 

 fortnight. Perfect Turnips ought to be of medium 

 size with small tap roots, clean skin and crisp and 

 juicy flesh. 



When preparing roots for exhibition soak them for 

 half an hour and remove all dirt with a sponge, giving 

 two or three more washings to make them quite clean. 



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