File:The field and garden vegetables of America (Page 91) (6002637218).jpg

RUTA-BAGA, OR SWEDE TURNIP.
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dimensions. Neck short, but, when grown in poor soil, com-
paratively long ; skin, above ground, fine, deep purple, —
below ground, yellow, — the colors often richly blending to-
gether at the surface ; flesh yellow, of solid texture, sweet,
and well flavored.
This variety was originated by Mr. William Skirving, of
Liverpool, Eng. In this country it has been widely dissemi-
nated, and is now more generally cultivated for table use and
for stock than any other of the Swede varieties. The plants
seldom fail to form good-sized bulbs. It is a good keeper ; is
of more than average quality for the table ; and long experi-
ence has proved it one of the best sorts for cultivation on
land that is naturally shallow and in poor condition. On
soils in a high state of cultivation, upwards of nine hundred
bushels have been obtained from an acre.
In sowing, allow twenty inches between the rows, and thin
to ten or twelve inches in the rows.
Sweet German.
Bulb four or five inches in dia-
meter, six or seven inches in
depth, turbinate, sometimes near-
ly fusiform. In good soil and
favorable seasons, it is compara-
tively smooth and regular ; but,
under opposite conditions, often
branched and uneven. Neck two
or three inches in length ; skin
greenish - brown above ground,
white beneath ; flesh pure white,
of extraordinary solidity, very sweet, mild, and well flavored.
It retains its solidity and freshness till spring, and often at
midsummer has no appearance of sponginess or decay. As a
table variety, it must be classed as one of the best, and is
recommended for general cultivation.