4 ESCULENT ROOTS. 



Use. Roots of medium size are generally to be pre- 

 ferred for table use. When their growth has been rapid 

 and unchecked, they will be found succulent, free from fibre, 

 and of good quality. The deepest or brightest colors are 

 most esteemed. 



The young plants make an excellent substitute for spin- 

 ach ; and the leaves of some of the kinds, boiled when 

 nearly full grown, and served as greens, are tender and well- 

 flavored. 



Some of the larger varieties are remarkably productive, 

 and are extensively cultivated for agricultural purposes. 

 From a single acre of land in good condition, thirty or forty 

 tons are frequently harvested ; and exceptional crops are 

 recorded of fifty and even sixty tons. In France, the White 

 Sugar-beet is largely employed for the manufacture of sugar, 

 the amount produced during one year being estimated to 

 exceed that annually made from the sugar- 

 cane in the State of Louisiana. 



For sheep, dairy-stock, and the fattening 

 of cattle, experience has proved the beet to be 

 at once healthful, nutritious, and economical. 

 Varieties. The varieties are quite nu- 

 merous, and vary to a considerable extent 

 in size, form, color, and quality. 



The kinds now in cultivation are as fol- 

 low ; viz. : 



Bark- Root broadest near the crown, 

 e ' and thence tapering regularly to 

 a point ; average specimens measuring four 

 inches in their greatest diameter, and one 

 foot in depth. Skin dark-brown, thick, 

 hard, and wrinkled, much reselnbling the 

 bark of some descriptions of trees ; whence 

 the name ' Flesh dee P Polish-red, fine- 

 grained, sugary, and tender. 



