The Field and Garden Vegetables of America Part 20

PURPLE-TOP STRAP-LEAVED.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Purple-top Strap-leaved Turnip.]

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 cla.s.sed 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 cla.s.s. 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 quant.i.ties 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.