496 THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPEDIA. 



5. Much mottling with dark spots is not good. 



6. Spirals, or twisted grain or tissue is not desirable. 



7. A waxiness is an indication of solidity. 



8. The general colour should be of an orange tinge, and distinct orange 

 spots, averaging J of an inch in diameter, are frequently in the best 

 bulbs. 



9. Flavour varies much, but it is observable that a sweetness accom- 

 panies the most solid. 



MANGEL-WURZEL (Beta vulgaris). 



The mangel-wurzel is the cultivated form of a wild sea-shore beet in- 

 digenous to many of the countries of the temperate zone. It was known 

 as a garden plant long before its field cultivation was extensively prac- 

 tised. The roots are rich in saccharine matter, particularly those of the 

 white variety, the cultivation of which, and the extraction of its sugar, is 

 an important industry in many of the provinces of France and Germany. 



There are several well-known varieties in cultivation. On deep strong 

 loams the Long Reds succeed well, and produce a great weight per acre ; 

 but if overtaken by early frosts they suffer severely, as they stand high 

 above the ground. The Red Globe is less productive, and better adapted 

 for light soils ; the Orange and Yellow Globe are probably the most suit- 

 able for every variety of soils. They are hardy and heavy croppers, and 

 for quality they cannot be surpassed. 



CARROTS (Paucus carota). 



There are several varieties in cultivation, amongst which the Altring- 

 haru and the White Belgian are the most productive, and the most suitable 

 to field cultivation. The former is long and tapering, and grows well 

 out of the ground ; the latter is superior in productiveness, its habit of 

 growth is larger and less tapering, being of more uniform thickness. 



HOPS (Humulus lupulus). 



There are several varieties some indigenous to this country, uncertain 

 in early history, not mentioned in the Scriptures, and not clearly placed as 

 a crop until the 10th century. Though a coarse growing, thriving plant, 

 its cultivation requires as much attention as the higher orders. The pe- 

 culiarity of the male and female flowers existing on separate plants adds 

 to their more careful cultivation, as it is only the female flowers that 

 constitute a crop, the others being of no value generally after the spread 

 of the pollen. 



