418 FIELD CROPS 



ting and harvesting are not different from those already given 

 for mangels. Carrots yield from 10 to 25 tons of roots and 

 3 or 4 tons of tops to the acre. 



TURNIPS AND RUTABAGAS 



543. Description. The turnip and the rutabaga are 

 closely related plants of the genus Brassica, which also in- 

 cludes mustard, rape, and several of our garden vegetables. 

 The rutabaga is Brassica campestris; the turnip, Brassica 

 rapa. The roots of turnips and rutabagas vary from the 

 flattened form of the common turnip to the long, cylindrical 

 "cowhorn" type in shape, and from white to yellow, purple, 

 and red in color. The flesh is white or yellow; it is usually 

 white in turnips and yellow in rutabagas. Turnips mature 

 more quickly, while rutabagas have a higher feeding value 

 and keep better. 



544. Culture. Rutabagas and turnips grow best in a 

 cool, moist climate and in a sandy loam soil. The prepara- 

 tion of the soil, seeding, cultivation, harvesting, and storing 

 are not different from the treatment which has been recom- 

 mended for mangels. From 2 to 3 pounds of turnip and 4 

 to 5 pounds of rutabaga seed are required to the acre. As 

 turnips make their growth in from two to three months, they 

 may be sown in the late summer and yet mature a crop 

 before frost. They grow best in cool weather, and for fall 

 and winter use should not be sown till the latter part of July. 

 Rutabagas, on the other hand, require from four to six 

 months to reach maturity, and must be sown in May or June. 



545. Uses. Turnips and rutabagas are largely used in 

 England for feeding to stock, and to some extent in Canada, 

 but they are seldom grown for this purpose in the United 

 States. They are equal in feeding value to mangels and 

 other root crops, and the grain ration may be materially re- 



