Culture of the Turnip. 357 



used, and it should be allowed to rot in the soil. The common 

 method of employing rotten manure is bad, because in that state 

 the strength of the dung is already exhausted. 



The old notion is still prevalent, that it is best to sow old seed, 

 because plants raised from new grow too vigorously. There is 

 no sense in such a prejudice: my own invariable practice is to 

 choose new seed. 



The usual method of putting three plants into one pot is also 

 wrong. My plan is to put only one, and one plant only under 

 a light. One good plant will fill the space of a light sooner than 

 three set together. 



It often happens that the plants are drawn up, as it is termed ; 

 having long stems. This has been attributed to the want of air, 

 and to the plants being too far from the glass. But it arises, in 

 reality, from there being too much heat in the bed below ; for 

 the plants never grow so, however far removed from the glass, 

 and scantily supplied with air, if there be not too much under- 

 heat. 



Cossey^ Feb. 10. 1837. 



Art. X. On the Culture of the Turnip. By A. Forsyth. 



The early white Dutch and early Stone are generally pre- 

 ferred ; but the genuine Aberdeen yellow (golden yellow, or 

 Maltese golden) is the hardest, the hardiest, and most sugary 

 of any sorts 1 have ever seen. Times of sowing may be about 

 March 25. for an early summer crop; May 15. for autumn 

 supply; July 1. for a main winter stock; and Aug. 12. for the 

 latest, or spring, crop. In sowing, suppose the ground to be in 

 ridges, 18 in. wide, and some well-rotted dung introduced be- 

 tween them ; and, after digging every ridge separately, cover 

 the dung about 2 in. deep, pass the roller over the whole, then 

 make drills, and sow the seeds right over the ridge of dung, 

 burying them not more than half an inch deep. As the plants 

 come up, let them be dusted with powdered lime, to prevent 

 injury from insects ; and when they show their rough leaves, let 

 them be thinned to about 3 or 4 inches apart in the rows, and after- 

 wards thinned for use to 6 or 8 inches. At the approach of drought, 

 frost, or snow, some may be dressed to 1 in. of top, leaving the 

 root entire, and crowded side by side in dry tan, sand, or soil, 

 in any open shed, or awning, where they will continue sound 

 and serviceable for a considerable time. 



Isle'uoorth, Feb. 18. 1837. 



