CLASS I. NUTRITIOUS ROOTS. 359 



for being raised in large quantities, as food for horses, cattle, &c , 

 both kinds producing enormous crops. In 1824, Messrs. T. & H. 

 Little, of Newbury, Mass., raised on a single acre a crop of mangei 

 wurtzel weighing 74,518 Ibs. The ground should be thrown in 

 ridges two feet asunder by back furrowing, the top being levelled, 

 the seed sown and covered two inches deep, and the ground well 

 rolled ; the plants being finally left a foot asunder in the row. Man- 

 gel wurtzel, according to the analysis of Sir Humphrey Davy, con- 

 tains more nourishment than carrots, and late experiments seem to 

 have proved it. No. 9 is the kind recommended by M. Achard as 

 the best of all for sugar ; great quantities of sugar are made in 

 France from this root, and the refuse affords a most nourishing and 

 fattening food for horses, cattle, and swine. All kinds of beets 

 should be gathered before hard frosts commence ; wring off the tops 

 and lay them in conical piles, cover first with leaves and then with 

 earth, and before winter sets in, remove them to the cellar. 



5. BITTER ROOT. Racine Amere. 



A new plant, found growing in the valley of the Columbia River, 

 in form resembling a carrot. It is used as an article of food by the 

 Indians and hunters, and although not very pleasant to the taste, its 

 use as food is considered by them as very conducive to health. 



6. BREAD ROOT. Psoralea esculenta. 



A southern perennial plant, a native of Missouri. Its roots are 

 eaten like those of the potato, and with cultivation produce abun- 

 dant crops. 



7. GAMMAS. 



A new species of plant, found growing ia the valley of the Co- 

 lumbia River; a truncated root, which grows in moist, rich land, in 

 the form of an onion. It is first roasted, then pounded, and made 

 into loaves, like bread, and has a liquorice taste. An article of food 

 of great importance to the Indians. 



8. CARAWAY. Carum carvL 



A hardy biennial plant, rising three of four ieet in height. The 

 seeds are used in confectionary, -cakes, &,c., and to flavor alcohol. 

 They are esteemed the finest of stomachics and carminatives. The 

 roots are long and tuberous or conical, and esteemed even more 

 delicious than the parsnip, and fully equal, on all accounts, even to 

 Scorzonera. Cultivation the same as for carrots, which see. 



9. CARROT. Daucos carota. 



A hardy biennial, rising to the height of three or four feet ; the 

 roots long and conical. They are boiled with meat and fish, and used 

 in stews and soups. They are excellent food for horses and cattle, 

 being but little, if any, inferior to mangel wurtzel. 



1 . Early Short Orange, (for forcing.) 4. Purple. 



2. Early Horn. 5. White Mtringliam. 



3. Long Orange. 6. Lemon. 



Not 2 is fine for the table. No. 3 is fine for the table, and suitable 

 for the main crop. The Purple is highly prized in the West Indies. 

 The Altringham and Lemon are the suitable kinds to raise for horses 



