Brassica rapa. "The turnip is a biennial plant, growing in a wild state in some parts of England, but better known as an inhabitant of the garden and farm. There are an immense variety: to cultivate all is not so desirable as to plant such as are the more valuable. Those which we deem best for family use are the Early Dutch and Red Top, for autumn and early winter supply. The Yellow Aberdeen, Golden Maltese, Ruta Baga (or Swedish), are not so much esteemed in the autumn, but remain firm and solid until late in the spring, (when most other kinds have become pithy,) and are then fine. The Large Globe, and Norfolk Turnip, and the Ruta Baga, are principally cultivated for cattle.

"The main sowings of all the kinds recommended for family use, are made in the vicinity of Philadelphia from about the middle of August to the first of September. If sown earlier they are not so tender and finely flavoured, and if sown later do not generally attain full growth. The Ruta Baga, Globe and Norfolk require more time to perfect themselves; sow therefore about a month earlier. The more rapidly the root is produced the more tender and well flavoured it will be. Those which are intended for the spring supply should be topped very closely, else when the weather becomes mild, the crown will start, and the root soon gets pithy and unfit for use.

"Spring sowings seldom answer a good purpose: the Early Dutch and Red Top are, however, best.

"Should a long continued drought prevail at the time recommended for sowing in the autumn, some difficulty may he experienced in getting the seed to vegetate, (unless it be small patches in the garden, which can be shaded and watered.) The only resource is, to make several sowings in freshly dug or ploughed ground.

"If the seed has lain long, say two or three weeks, without vegetating, should a shower come, the safer plan will be to re-plough or harrow the ground, and make a fresh sowing.

"Frequently the 'fly' proves very destructive, preying upon the young plants when in so early a stage that they can scarcely be seen without close inspection. To counteract them it has been recommended to soak the seed in sulphur water - an ounce of sulphur to a pint of water. A mixture of quicklime, ashes, and soot, sprinkled over them, is frequently effectual.

"The crop may be put in either broad cast, or in drills, raking the seed well in. The latter plan is the better, and if sown on very dry ground during hot weather, it is safer to roll the land immediately afterward. Observe, the land cannot be too rich for this crop; old sod, or newly cleared land, produces the largest and finest flavoured roots." - Rural Register.

To obtain Seed, some of the most perfect roots of those which will withstand the winter may remain where grown; or they may be transplanted in February or March.

The plants must stand a foot apart each way; be carefully freed of weeds, and especial care taken to keep away birds, as they are particularly voracious of the seed of this, and of all other species of brassica. When ripe in July or August, the stalks are cut; and when perfectly dry, the seed beaten out and stored. No two varieties must be allowed to grow together.

Manures

The best manure for turnips is stable dung; and next in their order, guano, super-phosphate of lime, soot, and salt.

For the injuries to which the turnip is liable, see Athalia, Ambury, and Black Fly.

Turnip-cabbage (Brassica napo-bras-sica), and turnip-rooted cabbage (B. caulo-rapa). These species of brassica are but little cultivated, and, at most, a very small quantity of each is in request. The bulbs, for which they are cultivated, must have their thick outer skin removed, and, in other respects, be treated as turnips in preparing them for use.

Varieties

Of the turnip-cabbace, which is so named on account of the round fleshy protuberance that is formed at the upper end of the stem, there are four varieties: -

1. White turnip-cabbage.

2. Purple turnip-cabbage.

3. Fringed turnip-cabbage.

4. Dwarf early turnip-cabbage.

Of the turnip-rooted cabbage, which is distinguished from the above by its root having the protuberance near the origin of the stem, there are two varieties, the white and the red.

Sowing

They are propagated by seed, which may be sown broadcast or in drills, at monthly intervals, in small quantities, from the commencement of April until the end of June.

Planting

The best mode is to sow thin, in drills two feet and a half apart, and allow the plants to remain where sown, the plants being thinned to a similar distance apart; or, if sown broadcast, to allow them to remain in the seed-bed until of sufficient size to be removed into rows, at similar distances, for production, rather than, as is the practice of some gardeners, to transplant them, when an inch or two in height, in a shady border, in rows three inches apart each way, to be thence removed as above stated.

Water must be given every night after a removal until the plants are again established; and afterwards, in dry weather, occasionally as may appear necessary.

Earth may be drawn up to the stem of the turnip-cabbage as to other species of brassica; but the bulb of the turnip-rooted must not be covered with the mould. For directions to obtain seed, etc, see Brocoli, Turnip, etc.