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Notes and Gleanings. 



rather small, usually measuring about three inches in thickness near the crown, 

 and tapering regularly to a point, the length being ten or twelve inches ; skin 

 smooth, very deep purplish-red ; flesh deep blood-red, circled and rayed with 

 paler red ; remarkably fine grained, of firm texture, and very sugary ; leaves 

 small, bright red, blistered on the surface, and spreading horizontally ; leaf-stems 

 short. An excellent half-early, garden variety, sweet, and well flavored ; a good 

 keeper, and by many considered superior to the Common Long-Blood. When 

 full grown it is still tender and fine grained, and much less stringy and fibrous 

 than some beets at an equally advanced stage of growth. It may be classed as 

 one of the best table-beets, and is well worthy of cultivation. 



Improved Long- Blood. — This is an improved variety of the Common Long- 

 Blood, attaining a much larger size, and differing in its form, and manner of 

 growth. 



When matured in good soil, its length is from eighteen inches to two feet ; and 



its diameter, which is retained for more than half its length, is from four to five 

 inches. 



It is seldom symmetrical in its form ; for, though it has but few straggling 

 side-roots, it is almost invariably bent and distorted. Skin smooth, very deep 

 or blackish purple ; flesh dark blood-red, sweet, and fine grained, while the 



