364 On the Specific Gravitij of Swede Turnips. 
the middle of September, and maintained a healthy appearance 
throughout the whole of the season. On the 11th of November 
several pieces were weighed in this field, but so uniform 
was the crop that they varied only a few cwt. over the whole 
22 acres. 
The average weight was 25 tons 12 cwt. of bulbs, and 2 tons 
15 cwt, 3 qrs. of tops from 19,800 roots. 
Nos. 5 and 0 were two pieces of 5 acres each, grown with 
artificial manure alone ; the manure was sown broadcast, and 
ridged 20 inches wide. The seed was sown on the 18th of 
June, came up well, and was set out from the 15th to the 18th 
of July, They were only once gone through with the horse-hoe, 
and that when the plants were very young. No, 5 received 6 
cwt. of Proctor and Ry land's turnip manure, No. 6 had the same 
quantity of Lawes's superphosphate. Both pieces grew side by 
side, were treated exactly alike as to cultivation ; both pieces 
came up equally well, and presented little difference in appear- 
ance till the time of getting up. Both pieces were weighed on 
the 15th of November, 
No, 5 gave 18 tons 15 cwt, 3 qrs, bulbs, and 2 tons 15 cwt, 
tops, from 2(),200 roots. 
No. 6 gave 17 tons 15 cwt. bulbs, and 2 tons 10 cwt. tops, 
from 26,400 roots. 
One root from each lot was then tested by Mr. W. H. Harris, 
F.CS,, Northampton, who found the specific gravity to be as 
under : — 
Siwcific gravity of bulb. Specific gravity of Juice. 
riot No. ] 1-003 1-018 
„ 2 -991 1-019 
„ 3 riOl 1-024 
„ 4 -0994 1-016 
„ 5 -9846 1-016 
„ 6 -9472 1-018 
The seed from which all the different lots were grown was 
Perkin's Improved Swede, being a variety of Skirving's; but 
much finer in the neck than the original, of good quality, and a 
heavy cropper. 
In spite of manuring and cultivation, if inferior seed be used, 
the end will be only disappointment. As the cultivation of the 
turnip extended, the raising of seed has become less attended to. 
The plant is by nature a biennial, requiring one season to perfect 
the bulbs, and another to perfect the seed ; but since the demand 
has greatly increased, new systems of raising it have been 
adopted. In many cases the land intended for this seed bears a 
previous crop of hay, peas, potatoes, or in early districts, even of 
wheat. Consecjuently the swedes are not sown till the end of 
July, so that the roots from which the seed is raised will not be 
