On the Drill Husbandry of Turnips. 
51 
wolds not ten miles from them, unci consequently nearly three 
weeks later than those on the hills of Gloucestershire. 
Similar deviations from those general rules may be met with 
in most districts where the soil, aspect, or elevation, vary as 
above alluded to. 
The proper season for sowing all the common varieties of tur- 
nips does not usually extend over much more than six weeks in 
any given district. 
Swedes are generally sown first. " Hybrids,''* being partly of 
the same nature, are usually sown next, and white turnips the 
last, especially if they are intended for late consumption. When 
for early use, they, as well as the other species, may with advantage 
be sown at an earlier period. 
The more solid the texture of the turnip, as compared with 
others of its onm particular species, the more suitable it will be 
for late consumption, and consequently for late sowing. 
To exemplify this, it is only necessai-y to say, that the " white 
globe," which, from its quick growth and large size, is highly 
valued for early consumption, is, by the same peculiarities, un- 
fitted for standing over winter. 
In districts where about one-fourth of the arable land should 
each year be sown with turnips, there is necessarily more work for 
the horses than could be done within the period best calculated 
or producing the heaviest crop. Therefore the occupiers, through 
fear that they might be driven into a late season for part of their 
land, and then perhaps be almost compelled to sow in unfavour- 
able weather, with scarcely the chance of obtaining a productive 
crop, will seize on the earliest period, when the loeaiher is favour- 
able, at which a given species of turnip has been sown in that 
situation with success. 
The chances of a heavier crop are so far in favour of what is 
considered early sowing, as to justify in this case a little risk of 
being too early, in order to secure the positive benefit of a com- 
mencement under favourable circumstances. 
In districts where the occupiers are most dependent on their 
turnip crop, from want of good grass-land, it is of great importance 
to spread the advantage of having turnips over as long a period 
as possible : thus, some will sow part of their white turnips before 
swedes. 
* The cultivation of " hybrid " turnips has extended rapidly within the 
last few years, especially on deep, light wold land ; such land is not well 
calculated for white turnips, and, if sown with swedes, it would require a 
greater quantity of manure to produce an equal crop. " Hybrid" turnips 
retain their nutritious qualities longer than white turnips, and although not 
so long as swedes, they are better adapted for consumption immediately 
after white turnips. 
