THE CABBAGE FAMILY 93 



turnip. The edible part is a bulb which forms on 

 the stem just above the ground. 



This plant is little known as yet in America, and 

 few have tasted it at its best, because the ordinary 

 kohl-rabi found in the markets is overgrown and 

 tough. If it is planted in rich soil, grown quickly, 

 and picked before the skin gets tough, it is very deli- 

 cate and desirable. It matures quickly, however, 

 and soon becomes tough, coarse, and stringy. 



Varieties. — The Vienna kohl-rabi, both the 

 white and the purple, is widely used for domestic 

 food. The White Vienna is about two inches in 

 diameter when at its best stage, and a pale green 

 color. The Purple Vienna is larger, has a dull red, 

 or purple color, and matures a bit later. 



Culture.' — Plant in drills two feet apart or in a seed 

 bed, and handle like cabbage, setting out in rows two 

 feet apart and six or eight inches apart in the row. 



Several plantings should be put in if kohl-rabi is 

 desired at its best. The first may be as early as for 

 peas or cabbage, and successive plantings may be 

 made eve.ry two weeks. 



Kohl-rabi may be stored for winter use like tur- 

 nips, and for that purpose should be planted late 

 in June or early in July. 



