KITCHEN-GARDEN 
make their appearance, the ground should be 
well moistened if the weather is dry, and dusted 
over with lime. For remedies see p. 96. 
A moist season, or one in which warm, cloudy 
weather prevails, is most suitable for Turnips. 
In continued dry weather the growth of the 
plants is checked, and although genial weather 
should ensue, roots are never so tender 
and succulent as if growth had taken 
place at a uniform rate. Watering should 
theretore be attended to in dry weather. 
Cold spring water must not, however, be 
used, as such would tend to check the 
growth, in hot weather more especially. 
The soil, by means of moistening and 
stirring, should be kept as loose as pos- 
sible, and, as a matter of course, free of 
weeds. Partial thinning should be com- 
menced as soon as the plants are fairly 
above-ground, or at all events as soon 
as they have acquired their first rough 
leaves. The distance left between the 
plants must be regulated according to 
the size of the variety. In rows or drills 
the small sorts may be left at 4 inches 
apart, and the larger at 5 or 6 inches. 
In broadcast sowings 6 inches may be 
allowed each way for summer crops, and 
8 inches for those intended to stand the 
winter. 
Storing the Roots.—Turnips for summer 
and autumn use are, of course, drawn 
as they are required—the largest roots 
being taken first. With respect to the 
winter supply, the greater portion may 
generally be left in the ground, to be 
taken up as wanted; but a small quantity 
should be taken up, topped, tailed, but not very 
closely, and stored in sand for use in frosty 
weather. In cold situations, if the more tender 
sorts are grown, it is advisable to take up the 
whole crop, and store it in ridges like Potatoes, 
and the same precautions taken against frost 
and damp. 
Forcing. — Hard forcing invariably ends in 
failure; but if early Turnips are particularly 
required they can be had in May with the aid 
of a very mild hot-bed and frame. If the latter 
is somewhat deep, or such as are used for Pota- 
toes, partially fill with short manure, making it 
quite solid, and on this place 6 inches of good 
loamy soil. Sow seed of Early Milan thinly 
broadcast, and cover with fine soil. As soon as 
the seedlings’ are up, commence ventilating, 
giving air rather freely on mild days, and in 
small quantities when it is cold, closing some- 
VEGETABLES. 521 
what early and covering with mats every night. 
Thin out lightly at first, leaving the plants about 
4 inches apart each way, and then if the more 
forward are drawn for use when the roots are 
about 2 inches in diameter, the rest will, if 
properly attended to, give a good succession. 
Turnips may also be forwarded considerably 
Fig. 1289.—Turnip—Early Snowball. 
without bottom heat in shallow frames on a 
warm border. 
To Save Seeds.—It is rather a difficult matter to 
obtain the seeds of Turnips true in gardens, on 
account of the tendency which all plants of the 
Brassica tribe have to cross with one another. 
For this reason no other plant of that genus 
should be allowed to flower at the same time in 
the neighbourhood of the sort the seed of which 
is to be saved. Only the best-formed plants 
ought to be selected for bearing seeds, and they 
should be taken up in autumn, and planted 2 
feet apart in an open situation. When the seeds 
are perfectly ripe, they may be beaten out, and 
after having been well dried, hung up in a 
canvas bag in a cool, dry airy place. They re- 
tain their germinative power for four or five 
years, and sometimes longer. 
Turnips are liable to be attacked by anbury, 
or fingers-and-toes (fig. 1291), in which the roots 
