Turnip
(Brassica Rapa). A hardy biennial, native of Europe (Britain), &c.; cultivated from a remote period, for the use of the fleshy roots, which are boiled and served as a vegetable in various ways. The tender growing tops are also gathered in spring, and cooked as a green vegetable; and they are sometimes blanched at the same season as a substitute for Seakale. Cultivation. The Turnip is chiefly an autumn and winter crop, as it succeeds best in cool, moist weather; but early and successional supplies may be procured by commencing to sow early in spring, and keeping on at intervals until July. In summer, Turnips not unfrequently run to seed without forming roots of a useful size; and during dry weather they are, if procurable, often stringy, and of inferior quality. The destructive Turnip Flea has also to be contended against; all through early summer especially, its attacks are commenced on the seedlings so soon as they appear above ground. It is of little use attempting to force Turnips too early in spring: they should not be sown under glass until the weather is favourable for admitting plenty of air. The first supply may be obtained by sowing some seed broadcast in a frame, during February or early in March. The least bottom heat from fermenting material may be allowed, but a spent hotbed or cold frame, with from 3in. to 6in. of rather fine, light soil in it, will do; an early variety should be selected--Early Munich is one of the best. The seedlings require thinning out so soon as they are large enough to handle. Plenty of air must be allowed, to insure a sturdy growth, and when the leaves get strong the frame may be removed. The season will by this time be advanced and the weather warmer than at the period of seed-sowing. Attention to watering is the principal point in after-cultivation. A valuable supply may be thus obtained in advance of any that could be grown entirely in the open air; a two-light frame at least should be allowed, as it could scarcely be more profitably utilised. By the middle of March, the first sowing may be made on a south border, and successional sowings according to requirements will be necessary until the end of June or early in July, when the seed for the main crop should be put in. In favoured districts, any time in July will do, and sowings may even be made up till the end of August with successful results. Turnip seed usually grows very freely, and the young plants appear above ground in a very short time. Some cultivators sow broadcast, but the ground is more readily kept free from weeds and the plants thinned out when the plan of having drills is adopted: the latter is therefore recommended. Drills 1ft. apart will suffice; they should be drawn with a hoe not more than 2in. deep, and the plants may be thinned to about 9in. apart, though this distance may vary somewhat according to the strength of the variety and the season. During summer a cool situation is preferable, and in dry weather it is often necessary to keep Turnips watered. If this is not done, growth becomes checked, and either the plants run to seed or the roots lose their succulent nature and become pithy. The main crop may be left in the ground, to be pulled when required, but for the purpose of having a supply in very severe weather it is advisable to lift a portion, cut off their tops--not too closely--and store them in sand or soil ready for use. The crops at all seasons are much benefited by keeping the soil between hoed and loose on the surface. Damp, dull weather is most favourable for Turnip cultivation; but as the crop is of much importance throughout the season, all that can be done during the summer to counteract the evil influences of drought should receive full attention. If two or three varieties are sown at the same time, sometimes one will thrive if another fails. Turnips succeed best in rich, rather light, loamy soils; ground which is stiff and retentive is not well adapted, as the roots do not attain a good flavour, and in the summer are more apt to run to seed; light, gravelly soils are also unsuitable. Animal Pests. The animal foes of this valuable plant are both numerous and varied. A large proportion of them attack the roots. Ants are said to carry off the seed, and to endanger the crop at times; and sparrows and other seed-eating birds assist in such depredations. The germinating plants, so soon as they appear above the soil, are too often wholly destroyed by the Turnip Flea or Fly (which see), and by small Weevils, such as Otiorhynchus (which see), and Ceuthorhynchus contractus, which is nearly related to the
