CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
465 
good management, suitable land, labor at a reasonable 
cost and fairly close proximity to the factory, a fair profit 
should be realized at $12 to $15 a ton. 
When grown for market the profit should not be less 
than $100 an acre, and it is often much greater. Market 
conditions and the skill of the operator are the chief 
factors counting for success. Early tomatoes often sell 
at $2 or more a 6-basket carrier, while late in the season 
the price may become so low that it scarcely pays to har- 
vest the crop. As a rule, the early crop is the more remun- 
erative, while late tomatoes frequently pay good profits. 
659. Insects. — Cutworms are often destructive to the 
young plants. Surplus stock should be grown and held 
to fill vacancies that may occur from the depredations of 
these pests and poisoned baits may be used. Flea-beetles, 
tomato worms, plant lice, and potato beetles are also 
serious enemies sometimes. 
660. Diseases. — -The tomato is subject to various dis- 
eases, such as blight, mildew, etc., which often become 
serious. Rotation is the best means of prevention. 
Spraying with bordeaux mixture in the seed bed, in the 
frames or the greenhouse, and in the garden or field, is 
frequently necessary to control the various fungous dis- 
eases. Wilt is controlled by the use of resistant varieties. 
TURNIP ( Brassica rapa) 
661. History and importance.— This cruciferous vege- 
table originated in Europe or Asia. When planted 
early in the spring it is an annual, but when grown in 
the fall the roots must be stored during the winter and 
replanted the following spring for the production of seed. 
It is one of the most important root crops, grown extensively 
as a fall crop and to some extent for early summer use. 
662. Soil. — Like other root crops, the finest specimens 
are grown in sandy soils, although the crop is produced 
