Pe ale 
No. 88.} 125 
when the root is full grown. Average specimens measure four inches 
in diameter, and two and a half in depth. 
Red Top Strap Leaf, syn. ‘‘ Purple Top Strap-Leaved.” 
Leaves few, upright, broad, rounded at the ends, and tapering to the 
very small neck ; root flat, smooth and regular, often concave below, 
growing mostly above ground ; skin bright purple above, white below, 
often finely clouded or shaded at the union of the colors; flesh white, 
solid, mild and well flavored. Size medium, average specimens measur- 
ing fourinches in diameter, and two anda halfindepth. “It is early, 
hardy, thrives in almost any description of soil, and rarely fails to pro- 
duce a good crop. 
Bloomsdale Ruta baga. Shape nearly globular, neck short, grows 
mostly above ground ; deep purple about the crown, often rough and 
netted; flesh yellow, very sweet and excellent, Average specimens 
measured four inches in diameter, and three and a half in depth. 
Skirving’s Ruta baga. Originated with William Skirving, of Liver- 
pool, and introduced by him in 1837. Roots oblong, sometimes coni- 
cal, growing much above ground ; smooth, with few fibrous roots; skin 
deep purple above, sometimes beautifully marked with green; yellow 
below ; neck long ; flesh yellow, solid, sweet and well-flavored. Aver- 
age specimens measure four inches in diameter and six inches long. 
ONION. 
Our experiments with the onion consisted of a comparative test of 
four varieties, and in planting in rows at different distances apart. 
Seeds of the same variety obtained from different sources were treated 
as distinct varieties. 
The soil received a moderate dressing of stable manure, and after 
plowing was top-dressed with hen manure. ‘The surface was then 
. thoroughly pulverized with the smoothing harrow and “ board drag.” 
The seed was planted April 15th, the temperature of the soil one 
inch deep at 7 a. M., being 32°, in rows sixty feet long, and two feet 
apart. It was sown by hand in moderate and uniform thickness, and 
covered half an inch deep. | 
To find the percentage of germination of the seed in the various 
packages received, one hundred seeds were taken from each package 
April 8th, and placed in the hot-bed between sheets of moist blotting 
paper. The result, with the varieties, time of vegetation and maturity, 
yield, etce., will appear in the following table : 
mM 
a c P 
4 “ al SH 
E Bode BA [tyes 
, - mH = S 
F 5 vi 3 ai a] 2 ° 
an a) a, =) wr) oT an 
o os) os 3 4 o o 
> = oS A a a a 
Yellow Danvers, Henderson . May 7 22 | Aug. 31 | 188 56 391 ben 
_ Yellow Danvers, Bliss . . May 8 | 28 | Aug. 31 | 138 55 384 62 
Yellow Danvers, Gregory May 7 22 | Aug. 31 | 138 55 384 67 
Yellow Danvers, Wells. . May 7 22 | Aug. 31} 138 611g 429 89 
Red Wetherstield, Bliss .. May 7 22 | Aug. 31} 138 5734 403 85 
Red Wethersfield, Wells . May 7 22 | Aug. 81} 1388 73 510 87 
Red Wethersfield, Henderson. May 7 22 | Aug. 81 | 138 50 349 61 
Extra Early Red, Wells . . May 7 22 | Aug. 81 | 138 611g 429 63 
White Portugal, Bliss . . May 7 22 | Sept. 
