1[August 1761] (Washington Papers)
Sow’d abt. half an Acre of English Turnip Seed adjoining to the above and Raked them in the Ground being dry.
2[Diary entry: 15 August 1761] (Washington Papers)
Sow’d abt. half an Acre of English Turnip Seed adjoining to the above and Raked them in the Ground being dry.
3[August 1762] (Washington Papers)
Sowed Turnip Seed.
4[Diary entry: 5 August 1762] (Washington Papers)
Sowed Turnip Seed.
5Enclosure: Invoices to Robert Cary & Company, 15 November 1762 (Washington Papers)
3 funnels different Sizes 2 Smiths Screw plates—a large one & a small one 5 lb. of the best Turnip Seed 6 Curry Combs & Brushes 1 pr very small Toopee Irons for h[air].
6Enclosure: Invoice of Goods to Robert Cary & Company, 27 September 1763 (Washington Papers)
100 wt hop clover seed (clover seed last year came chargd at a most enormous price) 1 Bushel of St Foine fresh & Good 10 lb. Lucerne 10 lb. Turnip Seed 20/ worth of Garden seeds sorted 1 Peck early Peas N.B. be so good as to desire yr Seed Merchant to let me have Seed quite fresh and good in their several kinds—We often get those that...
7Invoice from Robert Cary & Company, 13 February 1764 (Washington Papers)
20 lb. Turnip Seed @12d. bag 8d.
8Enclosure: Invoice to Robert Cary & Company, 10 August 1764 (Washington Papers)
...pr Do white Silk Do 2 lb. whited brown thread 15 lb. bro: Do 6 lb. Shoe thread 20 Groce best Corks 1 fine lawn Search & Six spare bottoms 50 lb. best white Bisquet 10 lb. Turnip Seed of the Northern, or Naper Turnip 2 Groce best bottled Porter packd in Shavings A best 2 Bladed knife & ⟨ne[a]t⟩ to cost 5/ 10 lb. best Hyson Tea 2 best Postilion Caps without Capes...
9To Benjamin Franklin from William Franklin, 2 March 1769 (Franklin Papers)
...machine for digging holes or furrows in which the seed was planted. The first such machine that was practical had been invented by Jethro Tull early in the century, but drilling had not yet become popular except in planting turnip seeds. See Mabel E. Seebohm Christie,
10From Benjamin Franklin to John Bartram, 10 February 1773 (Franklin Papers)
I am glad to learn that the Turnip Seed and the Rhubarb grow with you and that the Turnip is approved.For the provenance of the turnip seeds see the preceding document.
11From George Washington to Wakelin Welch, 5 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
20 lb. of best Turnip seeds.
12From George Washington to Arthur Young, 6 August 1786 (Washington Papers)
20 lbs. of the best Turnip-Seeds, for Do.Ten pounds each, of the three best sorts of Turnips Seed for feeding in succession, through the Season 20 lbs. of the best Turnip-Seeds, for Do.
13From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 10 June 1787 (Washington Papers)
...to the Wheat. But as I observed before, the first thing necessary to be done is to ascertain the goodness of them—otherwise I may incur an expence in preparing for the reception of them unnecessarily. If the Turnip Seed should on trial (as we did the Clover Seed) prove good—do not fail to sow it in due Season—as I had rather depend upon that than the adulterated kind we have. I know not at...
14From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 8 July 1787 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to hear that the honey locust Seeds came up badly—pray keep them, and all these kind of things clean—and I had rather you should delay sowing the Turnip Seed than put it in grd that is not
15From George Washington to George Augustine Washington, 12 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
Does your Turnip Seed come up? You have frequently in the reports, and in your letters, mentioned preparing ground for, & sowing them, but I do not recollect that in any one you have informed me of the coming up of...
16October [1787] (Washington Papers)
: GW had included turnip seeds in the list of items requested on 6 Aug. 1786 of Arthur Young, the English agriculturist (
17[Diary entry: 25 October 1787] (Washington Papers)
: GW had included turnip seeds in the list of items requested on 6 Aug. 1786 of Arthur Young, the English agriculturist (
18From George Washington to Alexander Spotswood, 13 February 1788 (Washington Papers)
I feel myself obliged by the measures you have pursued to stock me with Turnip seed; but if I am
19From George Washington to Tobias Lear, 19 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Majr desires me to write for half a bushel of Turnip seed of the best kind—viz.—a peck of the White Summer—and the other peck of the red winter; but a good winter, and good Summer Turnip of any other kind, I suppose will do. It must...
20To George Washington from Tobias Lear, 23 June 1791 (Washington Papers)
I shall not fail to pay particular attention to your wishes respecting the Blankets—And the two kinds of Turnip seed (if they can be got) shall be procured and sent to the Major by the first vessel that sails for Alexandria. At present there is no vessel up, but one is expected here every moment from Alexa which...
21From George Washington to James Anderson (of Scotland), 20 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
...I feel no less grateful, Sir, for your polite attention, whether the books which I have received be those sent by yourself or by the Earl. I must beg your acceptance of my best thanks for the Sweedish Turnip seed, and the particular account which you were so good as to give me respecting it⟨.⟩ As I have spent great part of my life (and that not the least pleas⟨ing)⟩ in rural...turnip seed;...
22From George Washington to Anthony Whitting, 18 November 1792 (Washington Papers)
Have you taken measures to save what Turnip Seed you may want next year? The purchase of these things ought, by all means to be avoided.
23Notes on Spurrier’s Rotation of Crops, January 1794 (Washington Papers)
June give it another good harrowing; then
haul on the Manure, spread, & plow it in, Sow Turnip seed, broad cast, every day
what is plowed. These Turnips to be fed off.
24From George Washington to William Pearce, 18 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
If you have, or can procure Turnip Seed, it might be well to sow a good deal of it at all the Farms; as both Cattle and Sheep would derive benefit from them.
25From George Washington to William Pearce, 1 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
It is not longer ago than last year (if my memory has not greatly failed me) that I paid, in this City, 40 or 50/ for the Turnip seed I sent to Mount Vernon, & to have no Seed there now is, too be sure, extraordinary; but as these things serve to shew you how I have been imposed upon, & to what expences I have...
26From George Washington to William Pearce, 15 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
Try the Turnip seed, in order to prove its goodness; for it is provoking to be at the trouble & expence of preparing ground for seed that never vegitates.
27To Thomas Jefferson from John Taylor, 15 August 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
It is calculated to dril corn, peas, wheat, turnip seed, and any of similar sizes. Moreover by lessening the capacity of the cups with wax, it may be regulated to sow any grain less than corn, either thick or thin—and if the horse walks briskly, it...
28From George Washington to William Pearce, 15 March 1795 (Washington Papers)
...be to be transplanted, and the Seeds besides, (being imported), may not be good, he need not regard crowding them a little in the first instance. Let him have also as much of each kind of the Turnip seed, & Turnip rooted Cabbage,
29From George Washington to James Anderson, 15 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
, GW recommended sowing turnip seed at all Mount Vernon farms. On
30To Thomas Jefferson from John Taylor, 1 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Swedish turnip seed promised. This species of turnip seems to me to require earlier sowing than the common kind, to be drilled and cultivated. Accept the highest esteem and respect, of, Sir,
31George Twyman to Thomas Jefferson, [by 3 July 1809] (Jefferson Papers)
Those I have inclos’d are very good summer turnip-seed. I think from long experience the best time for sowing is about the 20
32Thomas Jefferson to John Mason, 22 June 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
McMahon, Bernard; and planting of rutabaga and turnip seeds [index entry] turnips; seed [index entry]
33John Mason to Thomas Jefferson, 18 July 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
McMahon, Bernard; and planting of rutabaga and turnip seeds [index entry] turnips; seed [index entry]
34James Ronaldson to Thomas Jefferson, 26 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
turnips; seed [index entry]
35Thomas Jefferson to James Ronaldson, 11 October 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
turnips; seed [index entry]
36Thomas Jefferson to Randolph Jefferson, 2 March 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
turnips; seed [index entry]
37Thomas Jefferson to Isaac McPherson, 18 September 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
turnips; seed [index entry]
38Thomas Jefferson to John Taylor, 28 May 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
turnips; seed [index entry]
39John Taylor to Thomas Jefferson, 10 July 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
As Soon I received your letter, I forwarded a bag of the Sweedish turnip Seed to
40Thomas Jefferson to John Taylor, 21 July 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
turnips; seed [index entry]
41Enclosure: Petty Vaughan’s Notes on Rutabaga (Swedish Turnip), 29 March 1819, enclosure number 1 in Petty Vaughan to … (Jefferson Papers)
When the ground is well ploughed & harrowed, & immediately after planting your corn; sow the turnip seed in drills, 3 or 3
42Benjamin Vaughan to Thomas Jefferson, 16 April 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall endeavor to send you some Swedish turnip seed from this place; & I have written for some to be sent you from
43Benjamin Vaughan to Thomas Jefferson, 21–22 April 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I purpose leaving this place to day, to move homeward; having desired the turnip seed to be inclosed to you, as requested.
44William Oliver Vaughan to Thomas Jefferson, 25 April 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Mail a packet of Sweedish Turnip Seed. I believe it of a very good quality & hope it will be received uninjured.
45Benjamin Vaughan to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 23 June 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
The packet of Swedish turnip seed was sent, as desired; with
46To James Madison from John D. Hunter, 15 October 1824 (Madison Papers)
...have brought many various seeds from England. I wish to have sent you some of them. Mr. Coke of Norfolk where I spent some weeks furnished me with many; and among them some White decanter turnip seeds. Many of the turnips measured thirty inches circumference. Will you accept from me a few? Will you remember me kindly to Your Lady; I never forget people who treat me kindly. I have ⟨a⟩ new...
47From James Madison to John D. Hunter, 20 October 1824 (Madison Papers)
The Turnip Seeds with which you favored me came safely to hand and will be attended to.