BEE 



[110] 



BEG 



ably destroy the seedlings when young. 

 The best time for inserting the main 

 crop of red Beet-root for winter supply 

 is early in April. The Brazilian and 

 Thick-leaved Beets may be sown at the 

 same time for supply in summer ; and, 

 at the beginning of July or August, a sue- 

 cessional crop of these mny be sown for 

 supply in the winter and following spring. 



The seed is best sown in drills, a foot 

 asunder, and an inch deep ; or by dibble, 

 at the same distance each way, and at a 

 similar depth, two or three seeds being 

 put in each hole. The Brazil Beet re- 

 quires eighteen inches space. 



During the early stages of growth, the 

 beds, which, for the convenience of cul- 

 tivation, should not be more than four 

 feet wide, must be looked over occa- 

 sionally, and the largest of the weeds 

 cleared by hand. In the course of May, 

 according to the advanced state of 

 growth, the plants must be cleared 

 thoroughly of v/eeds, both b}* hand and 

 small hoeing; the lied Beet thinned to 

 ten or twelve inches apart, and the White 

 to eight or ten. The plants of this last 

 variety which are removed may be trans- 

 planted into rows at a similar distance. 

 Moist weather is to be preferred for per- 

 forming this, otherwise the plants must 

 be watered occasionally until they have 

 taken root. They must be frequently 

 hoed, and kept clear of weeds through- 

 out, the summer. 



It is a great improvement to earth up 

 the stalks of the White Beet, in the same 

 manner as Celery, when they are intended 

 to be peeled, and eaten as asparagus. No 

 vegetable is more benefited by the appli- 

 cation of liquid-manure than the White 

 and Brazil Beets. 



Taking tip the Red Sect. In October 

 the Beet-root may be taken up for use as 

 wanted, but not entirely, for preserva- 

 tion during the winter, until November, 

 or the beginning of December, if the wea- 

 ther continues open ; then to be buried 

 in sand, in alternate layers, under shelter. 

 Before storing, the leaves and fibrous 

 roots must be trimmed off, but the main 

 root not wounded, and a dry day selected 

 for performing it. Beet-root may be kept 

 exceedingly well if stacked up neatly, 

 sloping to a point, against a north wall, 

 or other cool place, upon a dry bottom, 

 and buried with sifted coal-ashes. The 

 thickness of this covering must depend 

 apon the weather. 



Gathering from the Green and White 

 Beet. In gathering from these, the 

 largest outside leaves should be first 

 taken, and the inner left to increase in 

 size, when the same selection must be 

 continued ; but, at the same time, it must 

 be remembered that they are to be used 

 whilst perfectly green and vigorous, other- 

 wise they are tough and worthless. 



To obtain seed. Some roots must be 

 left where grown, giving them the pro- 

 tection of some litter in veiy severe wea- 

 ther, if unaccompanied with snow; or, if 

 this is neglected, some of the finest rootg 

 that have been stored in sand, and have 

 not had the leaves cut away close, may 

 be planted in February or March. Each 

 species and variety must be kept as far 

 away from others as possible, and the 

 plants set at least two feet from each 

 other. They flower in August, and ripen 

 their seed "at the close of September. 

 Seed of the previous year is always to be 

 preferred for sowing; but it will succeed, 

 if carefully preserved, when two years old. 



BEFA'EIA. Sec BEJA'RIA. 



BEGO'NIA. (After M. Scgon, a French 

 patron of botany. Nat. ord., Bignoniads 

 [Bignoniaceas]. Linn., 21-Moncecia 9-Po- 

 lyandria.) 



Stove evergreen shrubs, except where otherwise 

 specified. Many freely by seeds, sown as soon as 

 ripe, or in the following: spring; cuttings in 

 spring or summer, after drying their base, in- 

 serted in sandy soil, in a little heat. The tuber- 

 ous kinds are easily propagated in abundance hy 

 division, when beginning to grow, and they will 

 stand more cold in winter by 5 or 10 than the 

 others; peat and sandy loam, and thoroughly- 

 decaye'l dung. Summer temp., 60 to 70 ; win- 

 ter, 48 to 55. 



J3. acerifo'lia (maple-leaved). 3. Whitish. BraEiU 

 1829. 



a'cid'i (acid). 1. White. Brazil. 1847. 



acumina'ta (long-pomted-feattecQ. 1. White. 



July. Jamaica. 1798. 



acutifo'lia (abrupt-pointed-leaved). 1. White. 



August. W. Ind. 1816. 



a'lbo-mcci'neii (white and scurlet-flozvered). 1. 



White and scarlet. E. Ind. 1844. Stove 

 herbaceous perennial. 



a'pteru (wingless). 3. White. July. Stove 



herbaceous perennial. 



argyrosti'gma (silver -spotted). 3. White. 



August. Brazil. 1S1Q. 



aurnnfi'aca (orange-coloured). Orange. India, 



auricutaft/rme (ear-shaped). White. Guati- 



mala. 1850. 



Barkn'ri (Barker's). 4. White. January. 



Mexico. 1837. Greenhouse herbaceous 

 perennial. 



biscrra'ta (saw-tooth-Zeayed). 2. Pale pink. 



June. Guatimala. 1817. 



bulbili'fcra (bulb-bearing). 1. Whitish-pink. 



July. Peru. 1827. Greenhouse herba- 

 ceous perennial. 



