182 GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



The Euta Baga or Improved Swede shguld be selected 

 for a crop to stand the winter. Plant pure seed or none ; 

 the middle or last of July or early in August, just before 

 a shower if possible. Let the drills be two feet apart, and 

 thin the plants by degrees until twelve or fifteen inches 

 in the row. As soon as the plants appear, loosen the 

 earth about them. It requires a richer soil than the other 

 varieties. Any vacancies in the row can be filled by 

 transplanting, which will make nearly as large roots as the 

 others. Keep the soil light and mellow by the use of the 

 hoe. Large crops can be tended with the plough and 

 cultivator to great advantage. . In good soil the yield is 

 immense. The crop may be drawn as needed, some should 

 be drawn before they begin to grow up to seed and stored 

 in a cool place for late keeping. 



To save Seed. — Select a few of the best roots, shorten the 

 tap root and plant them two feet apart. Tie the stalks to 

 stakes, keep them at a distance from all other members 

 of the cabbage tribe. Ruta Paga will rarely make seed 

 in this climate. Seed of the turnip should be changed every 

 few years as the plant degenerates. It keeps three years. 



Use. — This is one of those useful vegetables that can 

 be enjoyed with everything. The tops gathered in winter 

 and spring make very good greens. The roots are whole- 

 some, though they disagree with some stomachs. They 

 are considerably nutricious also ; four ounces of white 

 dutch containing eighty-five grains of nutritive matter, 

 and four ounces of Ruta Baga containing one hundred and 

 ten grains of the same. Any over supply of this crop may 

 be fed with great advantage to the cow or boiled for 

 the pigs. 



To Boil. — Turnips are good vegetables with boiled or 

 roasted meat. Wash, peel, slice, and boil until quite soft, 

 then mash with a little butter, pepper and salt. 



