THE ROOT CROPS AND RELATED PRODUCTS 331 



ping off of the outer leaves, since they are injured by severe 

 frosts. They may be removed from the ground by a beet 

 puller or pulled by hand after the ground has been loosened 

 by the plowing of a furrow close beside the row. The 

 tops are removed by twisting or cutting them off with a 

 knife. Mangels should be stored soon after harvesting in a 

 place where they will not freeze, a root cellar usually being 

 employed for this purpose. Twenty tons per acre is 

 probably an average yield, but sometimes as many as 30 

 tons are secured. 



TURNIPS AND RUTABAGAS 



345. Description. — The turnip, Brassica rapa, and the 

 rutabaga, Brassica campestris, are closely related plants, similar 

 enough in their habits of growth and cultural requirements to be 

 considered together. Like the mangel, the useful part of the 

 plant is the thicl^ened stem and root. Different varieties vary in 

 color, form, and size. Rutabagas are larger than turnips and 

 yield much more per acre. The most comm.on varieties of 

 Rutabagas are the Green Top and the Purple Top, and of the 

 turnip, the Cow-horn, Purple Top, and White Globe are the 

 most commonly grown. The flesh of the turnip is usually white, 

 and that of the rutabaga is yellow. The turnip, being smaller, 

 matures more quickly than the rutabaga. 



346. Cultural methods. — Turnips and rutabagas do not 

 require as long a growing season nor as much sunshine as beets, 

 and are usually grown in cool, damp climates. They grow well 

 on sandy soils, and, like mangels, do not do well on stiff clays. 

 The preparation of the seed is similar to that described for man- 

 gels. Rutabagas should be seeded about the same time as man- 

 gels, using from 4 to 6 pounds of seed per acre. Turnips are 

 usually sown in midsummer, sometimes being preceded by an- 

 other crop. Two or three pounds of seed are required per acre. 

 Turnips are sometimes sown broadcast and not cultivated during 

 the growing season. When seeded broadcast, about 4 pounds 

 of seed are required per acre. 



