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.