REPORT ON THE CULTIVATION OF MANGOLD WURZEL. 157 



Both lots were taken from the same plot of ground. It will be 

 seen that lot 2 diminished in weight, during the first stage, and in 

 greater proportion throughout, considerably more than lot 1, not- 

 withstanding the number of rotten bulbs in lot 1. This, we pre- 

 sume, arises from the greater succulence of those not run to seed. 



Leaves. — The leaves are, by analysis, shown to be, weight for 

 weight, considerably more nutritious than the bulbs. It may be 

 taken for granted that so long as the leaves adhere to the plant 

 they are of service to it. It has been ascertained that in decay- 

 ing they yield to the bulb much nutriment. Drs Wolff and 

 Buckman have shown that mangolds, when denuded of their 

 larger leaves in September and October, are not only diminished 

 one-fifth in weight per acre, but are considerably deficient in both 

 saccharine and protein compounds. After the introduction of 

 mangolds into this country, it was customary to strip off the leaves 

 in the end of the season. The injurious effects of such treat- 

 ment doubtless accounts for the small breadth grown so long as 

 this practice was continued. 



Pulling and Storing. — Mangolds are nearly as easily injured 

 by frost as potatoes, and should be taken up in the end of Octo- 

 ber in Scotland, and beginning of November in England. The 

 desideratum in pulling is to clean off all the earth without injur- 

 ing the skin, and to cut off all the leaves without injuring the 

 head of the bulb. They will keep well enough without taking off 

 any of the adhering earth ; but extra cartage is required, they 

 are much more difficult to clean afterwards, and fibres and leaves 

 are thrown out more readily in spring. If the skin is broken, or 

 the head of the bulb wounded, they " bleed" and mould in keep- 

 ing, or sometimes take a sort of dry rot. If many of the leaves 

 are left on, they ferment and rot. Mangolds may be very con- 

 veniently stored in a house or shed ; almost any quantity can be 

 kept together. When very large quantities are put together 

 under cover they are apt to get rather dry, however, and to weigh 

 much lighter in spring. If they be stored out of doors, a situation 

 well protected from north and north-east winds should be chosen 

 if possible. They may be packed up against a wall, or built in 

 roof-shaped heaps, either with or without hurdles. The larger 

 the size of the pits, the less straw, &c, and work will be required 

 to cover any given quantity. A thin layer of drawn straw is 

 spread evenly over the bulbs, then about 6 inches of earth firmly 

 beat, and over all a coating of thatch. A gutter is made round 

 the pit when necessary. 



Keeping property. — So superior is this property of mangolds, 

 that they may be kept perfectly fresh all the year round. Indeed, 

 their chief value, in Scotland at least, consists in their ability to 

 furnish a supply of green food in spring after swedes are stale, 

 and before pastures are ready for stock. 



