22 
HINTS ON THE CULTIVATION OF SWEDES AND TURNIPS. 
Qualities. The 'I'urnip and Swede belong— as do rape, kale, kohl rabi, and cabbage -to the natural 
order C>//r//m?, genus Jh-assUa, and to the farmer are perhaps the most useful members of this large family. 
Every one of the leading varieties are enumerated in our annual catalogues. W^e desire specially to refer, 
however to the Elephant class of irurple-to]) Swedes and the Invicta plass of bronze-top Swedes, which produce 
an average often tons per acre more than other sorts; and, among white Turnips, to the Im])erial Green Globe, 
which is the hardiest of the white-fleshed Turnijts, and, if not sown too early, will stand frost almost as well as the 
Swede It is found to be most valuable for feeding oft' with ewes and lambs, and does not reipure such good land 
as the Swede to bring it to perfer^tion. Swedes are less likely to be attacked with the disease known as fmger- 
and-toe than common Turnips. They, however, grow more slowly, and reciuire better land in higher condition, 
but they resist frost better than Turnips do. They contain less water, and are proportionately more nutritious. 
Soil.— The soil best suited to the 'I'urnip must depend to a great extent upon the climate. Where the 
climate is moist we shall probably get the best results on light lands, but where the climate is dry, a certain 
proportion of clay will be likely to add to the produce, by reason of the increased power it im|)arts to the soil of 
retaining moisture. The best soil is a free working-loam. 
g0^if|or SOclSOn. — The seed time for Swedes is from the middle of May to the middle of June. In 
the south of iwi^land it is advisable to sow a fortnight later than in the north. Common Turnips will follow as 
soon after as convenient. As a general rule, it should be remembered that, where Turnips are required to stand 
frost, seed-time should be deferred as long as it is safe to do so. 
Manure.— A liberal dre.ssing of farmyard manure from cake-fed beasts is always desirable. The (piantily 
aiul bulk iier acre will dejicnd upon the resources at hand, and the character of the soil. Sometimes in wet 
seasons heavy dressings of manure will tend to force Swedes out of character, and will conseciucntly jiroduce 
abnormal growth of necks and fnngy roots. Eight tons of manure per acre is considered too little, while 30 tons 
is too great for the needs of the root crop, so that an unexhausted portion would remain 111 the land for the next 
crop. It is always advisable to supplement with from 3 to 5 cwt. of artificials per acre— either dissolved bones 
or some specially [irepared 1 urni[) manure. 
Keeping.— furnips are especially useful for feeding off on light lands where the even treading and 
distribution of manure by the sheep are always followed by the best results to the succeeding crop, and more 
especially if cake or hay is given with the roots. I'or this purpose unless the sheeji are folded on the growing 
crop— the roots should be stored in small heajis at convenient distances throughout the field, and covered with 
the tops, or a little litter ; with this arrangement they will be handy for the shepherd, and also save carting. 
We advise their being cut in fingers, and fed in troughs, as being the most economical way of using them. 
Disea.se and Vermin. — Finger-and-toe, Club-root, or Anbury are the most troublesome di.seases 
to which Turnips are liable. The lighter classes of soils seem to be most subject to them, although they may 
occur on any soil, but less frequently if a pedigree stock of vigorous constitution is sown. To plough land wet 
favours the development of fiiiger-and toe. 
The too frecnient recurrence of the same crop is another cause. Hence the value of having a variety of 
root crojis to resort to, or — if it is not expedient to put the affected field into mangel, carrots, parsnips, or other 
root crops— it will answer just as well to take a crop of potatoes. 
I.ime is found to be one of the best applications for preventing or curing disease. The best way to apply 
it is to spread 4 or 5 tons jier acre on the autumn furrow, and then to well harrow in the lime, so as to mix it 
thoroughly with the soil. Marl is found to be of use on some light lands, its beneficial effects being partly due 
to the lime it contains. 
■]'he increasing prevalence of finger-and-toe in recent years is believed to be due to the abandonment of the 
practice of liming the soil, which was once so general. 
The Turnip fly or flea-beetle {Phyllutreta nemorim) is a pest which, as everyone knows, attacks the young 
plant before it gets into the rough leaf. It is most troublesome in dry weather, and operates by jiuncturing the 
k-ed-leaf on the under side, thus causing it to pucker and eventually to wither. When we consider how greatly 
a iilant depends upon its leaves, we can easily understand what a large amount of injury may be done by this, or 
any other insect which feeds upon these organs. It will be useful to mention one or two recipes which have lieen 
recommended for the destruction of the 'I'urnip-fly. Two bushels of freshly slaked lime, 6 lbs. of sulphur, 1 o lbs. 
soot well iiowdered and mixed so that it may adhere to the young plants ; this quantity is sufficient for two acres, 
<lrilled at 27 inches and should be applied when the dew is on the leaves. Freshly slaked lime is also used alone, 
or mixed with road-scrapings. A light wooden roller if used at daylight when the dew is on the plants is a good 
check, as the operation smothers the underside of the leaves with dust and dirt, and the vermin do not like it. 
Ravxks Park. I.o.xuon, S.W.— 1912. 
