ROOTS. 155 



The CULTURE is similar to that of carrots and parsneps. 

 Th-\ should be thinned to a distance of about 8 inches and 

 all \araneies tilled up with strong thrifty plants. It is better 

 to sow thick enough to avoid the necessity of transplanting, 

 tor in addition to the time and expense of this operation, the 

 new plants will not thrive as well as those which grow in 

 their ranks from the seed. The above distances are suitable 

 for the sugar beet ; the mangold wurzel attains a larger size 

 and the spaces may be increased. The practice of plucking 

 off the leaves for cattle -feed ing is objectionable, as it materi- 

 ally interferes with the growth of the plants. Scarcely any 

 disease or enemy troubles it except when young. It is then 

 sometimes though rarely attacked by grubs or small insects. 



HARVESTING may be commenced soon after the first leaves 

 turn yellow and before the frosts have injured them. The tops 

 must not be too closely trimmed, nor the crown of the roots 

 or its fibrous prongs cut from such as are destined for late 

 keeping. If intended for early winter use, they may be 

 abridged a trifle, and after the surface is dry, stored like other 

 roots. They do not need as effectual protection as potatoes, 

 tin- if the frost touches them under a covering of earth, it will 

 gradually be withdrawn on the approach of warm weather 

 and leave the roots uninjured ; but they will not keep as long 

 as if untouched by the frost. A slight opening for the escape 

 of the gas, as with the other roots, should be left at the top 

 and partially guarded with straw. 



USES. The beet is a universal favorite for the table and 

 of great value for stock. Domestic animals never tire of it 

 and swine prefer it to any other root excepting the parsnep. 

 We have kept a large herd in the best condition through the 

 winter on no other food than the raw sugar beet. They pos- 

 sess additional merit from their capability of resisting decay 

 longer than the turnep, and frequently beyond the carrot 

 and parsnep. They will be solid, fresh and juicy late in the 

 spring if properly stored, and at a time loo when they are 

 most wanted for ailing sheep or cattle, milch cows or ewes, 

 or for contributing to the support and health of any of the 

 ordinary stock. When fed to fattening animals, they should 

 follow and never precede the turnep. It has been found 

 that such animals continue steadily to advance in flesh after 

 being carried to a certain point with turneps if shifted on to 

 the beet, but in repeated instances they have fallen back if 

 changed from beets to turneps. Davy found in 1000 parts, 

 the following quantity of nutritive or soluble matter. White 



