406 THE MANGOLD-WURZEL CROP. 



its leaves, and of a turnip as regarded its root. The lat- 

 ter, however, does not appear to have been valued by 

 them as much as the former, for we find no distinct men- 

 tion made of the use of the root, while there are copious 

 references made to the mode of using the leaves, and to 

 the virtues they possessed. 1 The variety of the Garden 

 Beet (Beta hortensis) known as the B. cycltt, or Chard 

 Beet, was probably that referred to by the ancients. This 

 variety is cultivated largely on the Continent for its leaves 

 alone, the central part or midrib being very fleshy, and 

 considered when cooked a delicacy. There is no evidence 

 of the plant having been cultivated for its roots until a 

 comparatively recent period. It appears to have been 

 introduced into this country about the middle of the six- 

 teenth century. We find it figured by Gerarde (1597) 

 as the B. rubra romana, who, describing its cultivation 

 and uses, says, " But what might be made of the red and 

 beautifull root (which is to be preferred before the leaves, 

 as well in beauty as in goodnesse), I refer unto the curious 

 and cunninge cooke, who, no doubt, when he hath had 

 the view thereof, and is assured that it is both good and 

 wholesome, will make thereof many and divers dishes 

 both fair and good." 



On the Continent it appears to have been grown in the 

 gardens for its roots long before it was so applied in this 

 country; and, indeed, we are indebted to the Continent for 

 our knowledge of the mangold- wurzel as a field crop, 

 whence it appears tojiave been introduced into this country 

 by Thos. Boothby Parkins in 1786, the seed having been 

 procured from Metz, where, under the opposite names of 

 Racine de disette, and Racine d'abondance, indiscrimi- 

 nately applied, 2 its cultivation had been attended with 



1 Martial, lib. xiii. epigram 10. 



2 The German name is somewhat indefinite also. Mangel means wants, 

 deficiency, and wurzel is root, while mangold is a word signifying white beet 

 and other plants. 



