438 GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



Culture. — The turnip likes a rich, sandy soil. If raised 

 on ground manured by cow-penning, the crop rarely fails, 

 as the urine deposited in the soil affords the phosphates 

 so necessary for this crop, and in such places it is far less 

 infested with insects. Soil fresh from the woods also suits 

 it. For the early crop seed grown north of the locality 

 in which it is sown is generally preferred, but for the 

 main crop, pure seed from handsomely shaped roots of 

 home growth is sufficiently good. In the more Southern 

 States sow early turnips late in January, or through 

 February, and farther North as soon as the ground is in 

 a suitable condition, and the danger of its becoming again 

 frozen is over; that is, when the atmosphere begins to 

 feel like spring. Sow in drills fifteen inches apart, in fine, 

 light, well-manured soil, in drills one inch deep, covering 

 the seeds half an inch with fine soil pressed thereon. 

 Keep the soil free from weeds. As soon as the plants get 

 a little strong, thin out to two inches, and finally to six 

 inches in the row. If the ground is not kept light and 

 well worked, and the plants properly thinned, it is a mere 

 waste of time and seed. The Early White Dutch and 

 Early Milan are the kinds to be preferred. They do much 

 better in drills than broadcast. 



For fall turnips, sow the Early White Dutch, etc., any 

 time in August and September, broadcast, or better in 

 drills, as directed above. If broadcast, thin them to 

 about twelve inches apart or more. If sown just before a 

 rain, they will come up at once. Soot, wood ashes, and 

 unslaked lime are all useful to promote growth and drive 

 away insects. The last of July or the first of August is 

 the time for sowing the main crop of common turnips, 

 while in Georgia the last sowing for greens is made the 

 first of November. 



The varieties of the Ruta Baga and the Sweet German 

 are the best when planted for late winter use. These are 



