28 ESCULENT ROOTS. 



"White Belgian. Root very long, fusiform, frequently meas- 



GKEEN-TOP WHITE. . . . 



uring eighteen or twenty inches in length, 

 and four or five inches in diameter. In the genuine variety, 

 the crown rises five or six inches from the surface of the 

 ground ; and, with the exception of a slight contraction to- 

 wards the top, the full diameter is retained for nearly one 

 half of the entire length. Skin green above, white below 

 ground. Flesh white, tending to citron-yellow at the centre 

 or heart of the root ; somewhat coarse in texture. Foliage 

 rather large and vigorous. 



The White Belgian Carrot is remarkable for its produc- 

 tiveness, surpassing in this respect all other varieties, and 

 exceeding that of the Long Orange by nearly one fourth. It 

 can be harvested with great facility, and gives a good return 

 even on poor soils. 



The variety is not considered of any value as a table escu- 

 lent, and is grown almost exclusively for feeding stock ; for 

 which purpose it is, however, esteemed less valuable than 

 the yellow-fleshed sorts, because less nutritious, and more 

 liable to decay during winter. 



Since its introduction, it has somewhat deteriorated ; and, 

 as now grown, differs to some extent from the description 

 given above. The roots are smaller, seldom rise more than 

 two or three inches above the soil, and taper directly from 

 the crown to the point. A judicious selection of roots for 

 seed, continued for a few seasons, would undoubtedly restore 

 the variety to its primitive form and dimensions. 



The same amount of seed will be required as of the Long 

 Orange ; and the general method of culture should be the 

 same, with the exception that, in thinning out the plants, 

 the White Belgian should have more space. 



Wite Belgian Root seven or eight inches in length, and two 



Horn. 

 TRANSPARENT inches in its greatest diameter, tapering regularly 



