The Turnip

English Turnip. Brassica rapa.

The common Turnip is a hardy, biennial plant, indigenous to Great Britain, France, and other parts of Europe. The roots of all the varieties attain their full size during the first year. The radical leaves are hairy and rough, and are usually lobed, or lyrate; but, in some of the sorts, nearly spatulate, with the borders almost entire. The flowers are produced in May and June of the second year, and the seeds ripen in July; the flower-stalk rises three feet or more in height, with numerous branches; the leaves are clasping, and much smoother and more glaucous than the radical leaves of the growth of the previous year; the flowers are yellow, and are produced in long, loose, upright, terminal spikes; the seeds are small, round, black, or reddish-brown, and are very similar, in size, form, and color, in the different varieties,—ten thousand are contained in an ounce, and they retain their vitality from five to seven years.

Propagation and Culture.—All the sorts are propagated by seeds; which should be sown where the plants are to remain, as they do not generally succeed well when transplanted. Sowings for early use may be made the last of April, or beginning of May; but as the bulbs are seldom produced in perfection in the early part of the season, or under the influence of extreme heat, the sowing should be confined to a limited space in the garden. The seeds may be sown broadcast or in drills: if sown in drills, they should be made about fourteen inches apart, and half an inch in depth. The young plants should be thinned to five or six inches asunder. For a succession, a few seeds may be sown, at intervals of a fortnight, until the last week in July; from which time, until the 10th of August, the principal sowing is usually made for the winter's supply. In the Middle States, and the warmer portion of New England, if the season is favorable, a good crop will be obtained from seed sown as late as the last week in August.

Harvesting.—Turnips for the table may be drawn directly from the garden or field until November, but must be harvested before severe freezing weather; for, though comparatively very hardy, few of the varieties will survive the winters of the Northern States in the open ground.

Seed.—As the various kinds readily hybridize, or intermix, only one variety should be cultivated in the same neighborhood for seed. Select the best-formed bulbs, and transplant them out in April, in rows two feet apart, and one foot apart in the rows, just covering the crowns with earth, or leaving the young shoots level with the surface of the ground.

An ounce of seed will sow eight rods of land, and a pound will be sufficient for an acre.

Varieties.—The varieties are numerous, as follow:—

Altrincham. Law.

Yellow Altrincham. Altringham.

This is a yellow-fleshed, field variety, of rather less than average size. The bulb, however, is of a fine, globular shape, with a light-green top, very small neck and tap-root, and possessed of considerable solidity.

Border Imperial.

Border Imperial Purple-top Yellow.

Bulb five or six inches in diameter, nearly spherical, sometimes flattened, and usually very smooth and symmetrical; skin yellow, the upper surface of a bright purple; flesh yellow, firm, and sugary; leaves large.

The variety is of English origin, and is recommended for its earliness and great productiveness.

Chivas's Orange Jelly. Thomp.

Bulb of a handsome, round form, with a small top; the skin is pale orange; and the flesh yellow, juicy, sweet, and tender. It has very little fibre; so that, when boiled, it almost acquires the consistence of a jelly. It originated in Cheshire, Eng.

Cow-Horn.

Long Early White Vertus. Vil.

Root produced much above ground, nearly cylindrical, rounded at the end, ten or twelve inches in length, nearly three inches in diameter, and weighing from one and a half to two pounds. The skin is smooth and shining,—white below the surface of the ground, and green at the top; the flesh is white, tender, and sugary. Early, very productive, and remarkable for its regular form and good quality. As a field-turnip, it is one of the best; and, when pulled young, good for table use. During winter, the roots often become dry and spongy.

Dales's Hybrid. Law.

This variety is of English origin, and is said to be a hybrid from the Green-top Swede and the common White Globe. Its prevailing traits are, however, those of the White Globe; inasmuch as its roots are similar in form and texture.

Foliage strong and luxuriant; root large, oblong, pale yellow; the upper surface light green; neck and tap-root small. The form of the bulb, though generally oblong, is sometimes nearly globular; but its more material characteristics, large size, and luxuriance of growth, are uniformly the same. Its reputation as a turnip of very superior quality has not been sustained in this country.

Early Flat Dutch.

Early White Dutch. White Dutch.

An old and well-known early garden variety; bulb round, very much flattened, and produced mostly within the earth; skin white, somewhat washed with green at the insertion of the leaves, which are of medium size. Before the bulb has attained its full dimensions, the flesh is fine-grained, tender, and sweet; but when ripe, especially in dry seasons, it often becomes spongy and juiceless: in which condition, it is of no value for the table; and, even for stock, is comparatively worthless. Average specimens measure about four inches in diameter, and two inches and a half in depth.

Early Yellow Dutch.

Yellow Dutch.

This variety has a small, globular root, of a pale-yellow color throughout. It somewhat resembles the Yellow Malta, and is a good garden variety. The portion of the bulb above ground, and exposed to the sun, is washed with green. It is of medium size, early, tender, rather close-grained, and sugary; better suited for use in summer and autumn than for winter. By some, the variety is esteemed the best of the yellow garden turnips.

Finland. Law.

Yellow Finland.

This is a beautiful, medium-sized turnip, of a bright yellow throughout, even to the neck; somewhat similar to a firm Yellow Malta, but of finer color. The under part of the bulb is singularly depressed: from this depression issues a small, mousetail-like root. It is somewhat earlier, and also hardier, than the Yellow Malta.

The flesh is tender, close-grained, and of a sweet, sugary flavor; the leaves are small, and few in number; bulb about two inches in thickness by four inches in diameter, weighing eight or ten ounces. An excellent garden variety.

Freneuse.

Root produced within the earth,—long, tapering, and rather symmetrical; size small,—average specimens measuring five or six inches in length, an inch and a half in diameter at the crown, and weighing eight or ten ounces; skin white, or yellowish-white; flesh white, dry, very firm, and sugary; leaves small, deep green, spreading. Half early, and one of the best of the dry-fleshed varieties.

Golden Ball. M'Int. Vil.

Yellow Globe.

Bulb produced mostly within the earth, nearly globular, and very smooth and symmetrical; skin bright yellow below ground, greenish above; leaves comparatively small, spreading; flesh pale yellow, sweet, and well flavored, but not so fine-grained as that of many other varieties. It is a good table turnip; and with the Robertson's Golden Stone, which it greatly resembles, the most valuable for cultivation, where large-sized garden turnips are required. Its size is about that of the last named. Average specimens measure four inches in diameter, nearly the same in depth, and weigh from twelve to fourteen ounces.

Green Globe. Law.

Green-top White Globe.

Roots of a fine, globular shape, with a small neck and tap-root; very white below, and green above, the surface of the ground; of medium size, hardy, and firm in texture, but scarcely so much so as the Green Round; than which it arrives at maturity rather earlier. It is somewhat larger than the White Norfolk; has large, deep-green foliage; grows strongly; and produces extraordinary crops: but it soon becomes spongy, and often decays in autumn or early in winter.

A sub-variety, of larger size and with softer flesh, is known by the name of Hungarian Green-top Globe.

Green Norfolk. Law.

Green-top Norfolk. Green Round.

A sub-variety of the White Norfolk, of nearly the same form and size; the bulb differing principally in the color of the top, which is green.

The Norfolk turnips are all of a peculiar flattish form; rather hollowed towards their neck, as also on their under side. When grown to a large size, they become more or less irregular, or somewhat angular. The Green-top variety possesses these characters in a less degree than the White-top; and is generally round, flattened, but not much hollowed, on the upper or under surface. It is hardier than the White or Red varieties.

Green Tankard. Law.

Roots more than half above ground; oblong, or tankard-shaped; of a greenish color, except on the under surface, which is white; flesh white and sweet, but of coarse texture.

The term "Tankard" is applied to such common field turnips as are of an oblong shape, and the roots of which, in general, grow much above the surface of the ground. Such oblong varieties, however, as approach nearest to a round or globular form, are sometimes termed "Decanter," or "Decanter-shaped turnips."

In good soils, the Green Tankard sometimes attains a weight of eight or ten pounds. As a garden variety, it is of little value.

Green-Top Flat.

Similar in size, form, and quality to the common Purple-top Flat; skin, above ground, green.

Long grown in New England for feeding stock; and, in its young state, often used as a table turnip. Now very little cultivated.

Green-Top Yellow Aberdeen. Law.

Green-top Yellow Bullock.

An old and esteemed variety, similar in size and form to the Purple-top Yellow Aberdeen: the color of the top is bright green.

Lincolnshire Red Globe.

This variety is remarkable for its large, deep-green, luxuriant foliage. Bulb very large, roundish; skin, below ground, white,—above the surface, purple; flesh white, firm, and, when young, well flavored, and adapted to table use. It yields abundantly; is uniformly fair, and free from small roots; an average keeper; and deserving of cultivation, especially for agricultural purposes.

Long Black.

Except in the form of its roots, this variety much resembles the Round Black. It possesses the same peculiar, piquant, radish-like flavor; and is served at table in the same manner.

Long White Maltese.

Long White Clairfontaine. Vil.

Roots eight or nine inches in length, an inch and a half in diameter, somewhat fusiform, and very smooth and symmetrical. The crown rises two or three inches above the surface of the ground, and is of a green color, except where exposed to the sun, when it often becomes purple or reddish-brown. Below the surface of the soil, the skin is of a dull or dirty white. Flesh white, moderately fine, tender, and of a sugary flavor. Half early.

The variety has some resemblance to the Cow-horn; but is smaller, and the flesh not so white.

Petrosowoodsks.

Bulb of medium size, flattened,—comparatively smooth and regular; tap-root very slender, issuing from a basin; skin blackish-purple above and below ground, sometimes changing to yellow about the tap-root of large or overgrown bulbs; flesh yellow, fine-grained, and tender, if grown in cool weather, but liable to be fibrous and strong-flavored when grown during the summer months. The variety is early, and must be classed as a garden rather than as a field turnip.

Pomeranian Globe.

Bulb globular, remarkably smooth and regular; the neck is small, and the skin white, smooth, and glossy; the flesh is white, close-grained, tender, and sweet; the leaves are large, and of a dark-green color, with paler or whitish nerves. Half early.

When in perfection, the bulbs measure three and a half or four inches in diameter, about the same in depth, and weigh from fourteen to eighteen ounces. If sown early in good soil, and allowed the full season for development, the roots sometimes attain a weight of eight or ten pounds. It is generally cultivated as a field turnip, but is also sown as a garden variety; the roots being of good quality for the table, if pulled when about half grown.

Preston, or Liverpool Yellow. Law.

An early sort, somewhat resembling the Yellow Malta: the bulbs attain a larger size, the foliage is stronger, and the basin, or depression, about the tap-root less deeply sunk.

Purple-Top Flat.

Red-top Flat.

Bulb round, flattened, nearly one-half growing above ground; neck and tap-root small; skin reddish-purple where exposed to light and air, and white below the surface of the soil; flesh very white, close-grained while young, and of a sugary but often bitter taste. During winter, it usually becomes dry and spongy. Average specimens measure two and a half inches in depth, four or five inches in diameter, and weigh from sixteen to twenty ounces.

This old and well-known variety, at one period, was the principal field as well as garden turnip of the Northern and Middle States. It is now, however, very little cultivated; being superseded by the Strap-leaved and other more desirable sorts.

Purple-Top Strap-Leaved.

Bulb very flat, smooth, and regular in form, produced almost entirely above ground; tap-root slender; leaves few, upright, broad, rounded at the ends, and tapering to the neck, which is very small; skin above, clear, bright purple,—below, pure white, often finely clouded or shaded at the union of the colors; flesh clear white, firm, solid, sugary, mild, and remarkably well-flavored; size medium,—measuring about two inches and a half in depth by four or five inches in diameter, and weighing from ten to twelve ounces. Field-grown roots, with the benefit of a long season and rich soil, attain much greater dimensions; often, however, greatly deteriorating in quality as they increase over the average size.

This variety is unquestionably one of the best of the flat turnips, either for the garden or field. It is early, hardy, very prolific, will thrive in almost any description of soil, is of excellent quality, and rarely fails to yield a good crop. It is the best of all the flat turnips for sowing among corn or potatoes, or upon small patches of the garden from which early pease or beans have been harvested.

Purple-Top Yellow Aberdeen.

Purple-top Aberdeen. Purple-top Yellow Bullock.

Bulb globular, reddish-purple above, and deep yellow below; tap-root very small; leaves deep green, comparatively short, and inclined to grow horizontally.

In rich soil and long seasons, the bulbs sometimes attain a weight of eight or ten pounds; but specimens of average size measure about four inches in depth, nearly five inches in diameter, and weigh from sixteen to twenty ounces. The flesh is pale yellow, tender, sugary, and nearly equal to that of the Swedes in solidity. The variety is very hardy, and, although generally grown for farm purposes, is really superior to many sorts cultivated exclusively for table use.

Red Globe. Law.

An old, medium-sized, globular turnip, well suited for cultivation in light soil and on exposed or elevated situations. Skin red, where exposed to the sun,—below ground, white; flesh white, and finer in texture than that of the White Globe. It is not suited for table use; and is generally field-grown, and fed to stock.

Red Norfolk.

Red-top Norfolk. Red Round.

This is a sub-variety of the White Norfolk, the size and form being nearly the same. Skin washed, or clouded with red where exposed to the light. It is firmer in texture, and more regular in its form, than the last named; and, if there be any difference in size, this is the smaller variety.

Red Tankard.

Bulb produced partially above ground, pyriform, eight or nine inches in depth, four or five inches in diameter, and weighing about three pounds; below ground, the skin is white,—above, purple or violet; flesh white, rather firm, sugary, and well flavored; foliage large.

It is recommended for its earliness and productiveness, but must be considered a field rather than a table variety.

Robertson's Golden Stone. M'Int. Vil.

An excellent, half-early variety; form nearly globular; color deep orange throughout, sometimes tinged with green on the top; size above medium,—average specimens measuring nearly four inches in depth, four inches in diameter, and weighing from sixteen to eighteen ounces; flesh firm, and well flavored.

The Robertson's Golden Stone is remarkably hardy, keeps well, and is one of the best of the Yellows for autumn or winter use.

Round Black. Law.

Leaves few, small, and comparatively smooth; bulb produced almost or altogether under ground, of an irregular, roundish form, often divided, or terminating in thick branches at its lower extremity; skin black, and very tough; flesh white.

The variety is extensively cultivated in some parts of Europe, and is much esteemed for its peculiar, piquant, somewhat radish-like flavor. It is sometimes served in its crude state as a salad.

Six Weeks. Law.

Autumn Stubble. Early Dwarf.

Bulb produced much above ground, rather large, and of an irregular, globular form. It soon arrives at maturity; but, on account of its natural softness of texture, should always be sown late, and used before severe frosts. As descriptive of its earliness, it has received the above names; being suited for very late sowing, after the removal of early crops; or for making up blanks in turnip-fields, where the first sowing may have partially failed.

It is well flavored, but soon becomes dry and spongy, and is unsuitable for use during winter. Skin white below the surface of the ground, greenish above. Field-grown specimens sometimes weigh three pounds and upwards.

Small Long Yellow.

Leaves very small, and spreading; root generally entirely under ground, small, and of an oblong or carrot shape, terminating abruptly at the point; skin pale yellow; flesh yellow, firm, dry, and sugary, with some degree of piquancy. It is a good variety for the table, and also a good keeper.

Snow-Ball.

Navet Boule de Neige. Vil.

The bulb of this variety is nearly spherical, very smooth and regular; size medium,—the average dimensions being four inches in diameter, four and a half in depth, and the weight about a pound. The neck is small, and the skin white. The flesh of the young bulbs is white, fine-grained, tender, and sugary; but, if overgrown or long kept, it is liable to become dry and spongy.

The variety is early, and, though classed by seedsmen as a garden turnip, is well adapted for field culture; as it not only yields abundantly, but succeeds well when sown late in the season on land from which early crops have been harvested.

Stone Globe.

Bulb globular, and regularly formed, growing mostly beneath the surface of the ground. It belongs to the White-globe varieties, and is considered the hardiest and the best suited for winter use of any of its class. The leaves are larger, stronger, and deeper colored, than any of the White-globe sorts.

Skin and flesh white; texture moderately close; flavor sweet, and its keeping properties good; size rather large.

Teltow, or Small Berlin.

Teltau.

This is said to be the smallest of turnips; its leaves not exceeding in number those of the radish. The root is fusiform or spindle-shaped, not very regular, and produced entirely under ground; skin dusky white; flesh dry, dull white, very fine-grained, piquant, and sugary; leaves erect, yellowish-green. Early. The roots measure three inches long by about an inch and three-fourths at their largest diameter, and weigh from three to four ounces.

The Teltow Turnip is much esteemed on account of its excellent qualities, and is one of the best early garden varieties.

According to Loudon, it is in high repute in France, Germany, and Holland; and is grown in the sandy fields around Berlin, and also near Altona, whence it is imported to the London market. It is, or was, grown in immense quantities in the neighborhood of Moscow.

The peculiar flavor is in the outer rind. When used, it should not be peeled. It bears transplanting well; and may be set in rows one foot apart, and nine inches apart in the rows.

Waite's Hybrid Eclipse.

A recent variety, of English origin, introduced by Mr. John G. Waite, a seed-merchant of London. As figured and described, it is of large size, very richly colored, and remarkably smooth and symmetrical. At the crown, it is broad and round-shouldered, and measures about six inches in diameter; which size is nearly retained to a depth of eight or nine inches, when it contracts in a conical form to a tap-root. Color of upper portion, clear purple, richly clouded, and contrasting finely with the yellow on the lower part. It is represented as a turnip of excellent quality, and as being very productive.

When cultivated in this country, it has generally fallen short of the excellence it is represented as attaining in England. It is apparently not adapted to the dry and warm summers of the United States.

White Globe. Law.

Common Field Globe.

Root globular; skin smooth, perfectly white; flesh also white; neck and tap-root small. Although this description embraces the principal characters of the White Globe, there is considerable variety in the turnips to which this name is applied, arising from the degree of care and attention bestowed by growers in selecting their seed-roots; and the shape is often not a little affected by the soil in which they are grown. Thus Globes of any kind, and particularly those of this variety, when grown on a very superior, rich soil, may be said to be forced beyond their natural size, and thereby acquire somewhat of a monstrous or overgrown appearance; losing, in a great measure, their natural symmetry.

This variety is better adapted to field culture than to the garden, as it is altogether too coarse in texture for table use. It is a poor keeper, and, in unfavorable seasons, sometimes decays before the time of harvesting. Specimens have been grown weighing fifteen and even eighteen pounds.

White Norfolk.

White Round.

A large English variety, somewhat irregular in form, but usually more or less compressed, and sometimes pyriform; the upper portion of the root being produced four or five inches above ground. Specimens sometimes measure ten or twelve inches in diameter. The leaves are large, and rather numerous; the skin white below the surface, and often white above, but sometimes washed with green; flesh white and coarse-grained, but sweet. Very late.

It is but a sub-variety of the Common Flat Turnip, and oftentimes attains a most extraordinary size. For the garden, it possesses no value. It is grown exclusively as an agricultural or field turnip; but is very liable to rot; soon becomes spongy; and can only be classed as third-rate, even for feeding stock.

White Stone.

Early Stone. White Garden Stone.

This common and well-known garden turnip somewhat resembles the White Dutch; but has stronger foliage, is rounder in form, and finer in texture. A carefully selected and improved variety of this is known by the name of Mouse-tail Turnip; and, in addition, some catalogues contain varieties under the name of Red-topped Mouse-tail, &c.

Skin and flesh white; size full medium, measuring three and a half to four inches in depth by four and a half or five inches in diameter.

White Tankard.

Navet Gras d'Alsace. Vil.

Bulb pyriform, cylindrical at the crown, which, like that of the Red Tankard, rises two or three inches from the ground; skin white in the earth, green above; flesh white, tender, sweet, rather firm, and close-grained. Early.

Vilmorin mentions two varieties; one having entire leaves, the other with lyrate or lobed leaves; giving preference, however, to the one with entire leaves.

Like most of the Tankards, the variety seems better adapted to agricultural than to horticultural purposes.

White-Top Flat.

Bulb similar in size and form to the Green-top Flat; leaves few and small; skin uniformly white; flesh white, firm, sugary, and well flavored. As a table variety, it is superior to the Purple-top Flat or the Green-top.

White-Top Strap-Leaved.

This is a sub-variety of the Purple-top Strap-leaved; differing little, except in color. The leaves are erect, few and small, somewhat lanceolate, and nearly entire on the borders; the bulb is of medium size, much flattened, green above ground, white below, and remarkably smooth and regular in form; tap-root very small; the flesh is white, very fine-grained, saccharine, mild, and excellent.

Early, productive, and recommended as one of the best varieties for field or garden culture.

The Strap-leaved Turnips appear to be peculiarly adapted to the climate of the Northern States, and are greatly superior in all respects to the Common White and Purple-top Flat varieties. Though of comparatively recent introduction, they have been widely disseminated; and, wherever grown, are highly esteemed.

Yellow Malta. M'Int.

Maltese. Golden Maltese.

A beautiful, very symmetrical, small-bulbed, early variety, slightly flattened above, somewhat concave about, the tap-root, which, as well as the neck, is remarkably small; skin very smooth, bright orange-yellow; foliage small, and not abundant,—on which account the plants may be grown quite close to each other; flesh pale-yellow, fine-grained, and well flavored. It is a good garden variety, and one of the best of the Yellows for summer use. Average bulbs measure two inches in depth, four inches in diameter, and weigh about ten ounces.

Yellow Scarisbrick.

Bulb flattened, smooth, and regular; neck small; skin pale yellow,—above ground, green; flesh yellowish-white, tender, and sweet; leaves of medium size, very pale-green. Season late. Well-grown specimens measure four inches in diameter, and about three inches in depth.

Yellow Stone.

Very similar to the Golden Ball or Yellow Globe. Compared with these varieties, the bulb of the Yellow Stone is produced more above ground, and the upper surface is more colored with green. One of the best of garden turnips.

Yellow Tankard. Vil.

Root somewhat fusiform, or of a long, irregular, tankard shape; the crown rising just above the ground. Average specimens measure seven or eight inches in length, three inches and a half in diameter, and weigh about twenty-four ounces. Skin yellowish-white below ground, green above; flesh pale yellow, firm, and sugary; leaves large. It is esteemed for the solidity of its flesh, and for its earliness and productiveness. A good variety for either field or garden.