TURNIP 



731 



July 25th to August 25th. After this date, sowings may be made 

 up to about the middle of September of very early kinds, from 

 which a supply of half-grown roots may be obtained towards the 

 end of the year, and even in spring ; as Turnips when not fully 

 grown will not be injured by being left in the open ground during 

 the winter, if they are protected by a covering of dry leaves or 

 straw. It is rather difficult to grow Turnips in spring, and the 

 earliest and tenderest varieties are the only kinds that can be satis- 

 factorily used for that purpose; and even then it sometimes happens 

 that the plants run to seed without forming roots fit for use. The 

 seed may be sown in February in a cold frame, the only kinds 

 employed for this purpose being the Early Flat varieties, the Round 

 Groissy Turnip, and the Jersey Navet. After March 15th the seed 

 may be sown in the open ground, and, by making successional 

 sowings about once a month, a continuous supply may be ob- 

 tained up to the coming in of the ordinary season's crop. Turnips 

 are generally sown broadcast in beds; but the work of thinning 

 out, hoeing, and all other operations connected with their culture 

 are more easily done when they are sown in drills. The seedlings 

 ate hardly overground when they are liable to be attacked by their 

 greatest enemy, the Turnip-fly, from which it is most difficult to 

 protect them, seed having sometimes to be sown twice or thrice 

 over in consequence of the ravages of this insect. As soon as the 

 young plants are well up, and have made a few leaves, thinning out 

 should commence, and be continued at intervals until all the plants 

 are finally placed a suitable distance apart. Plentiful watering is 

 necessary, if the weather is hot and dry, as, in order to ensure 

 good quality in the roots, the plants must not be allowed to suffer 

 any check in their growth. For table use, the roots are usually 

 taken up before they have attained their full size, being more 

 tender and more delicate in flavour when only half or three-quarters 

 ^rown. 



A good variety, or growing the 

 best Idnds, is not the whole secret 

 of securing the best roots. This can 

 only be done through good culti- 

 vation, and Turnips will repay 

 attention as well as any other crop. 

 Poor, gravelly soil will never 

 produce tender, sweet roots ; well- 

 manured land seldom fails to grow 

 good Turnips. It is, therefore, well 

 to see that the soil has been pro- 

 perly prepared for them before sowing 

 the seed. This applies to crops at 

 all seasons. In spring the earliest 



should be sown on a favourable spot 

 on a south border. The first time 

 the soil is in good working order in 

 March, put the first seed in out-of- 

 doors, and sowings may be made 

 monthly from then until the end of 

 August, putting different kinds in 

 to follow one another according to 

 their earliness. 



Early in the season Turnips may 

 form a first crop on the ground for 

 the year ; but later on, especially in 

 the case of the winter ones, the seed 

 may generally be sown on ground 



