THE BEET. 7 



color, sometimes inclining to green, but the stems and 

 nerves always of a deep brilliant red. 



The Early Blood Turnip Beet succeeds well from Canada 

 to the Gulf of Mexico ; and in almost every section of the 

 United States is more esteemed, and more generally culti- 

 vated for early use, than any other variety. Among market- 

 gardeners, it is the most popular of the summer beets. It 

 makes a rapid growth, comes early to the table, and, when 

 sown late, keeps well, and is nearly as valuable for use in 

 winter as in summer and autumn. 



In common with most of the table sorts, the turnip-rooted 

 beets are much sweeter and more tender if pulled before 

 they are fully grown ; and consequently, to have a contin- 

 ued supply in their greatest perfection, sowings should be 

 made from the beginning of April to the last of June, at 

 intervals of two or three weeks. 



The roots, especially those intended for seed, should be 

 harvested before severe frosts, as they are liable to decay 

 when frozen at the crown, or even chilled. 



Sow in drills fourteen inches apart ; and, when two inches 

 in height, thin out the plants to six inches apart in the 

 drills. An acre of land in good cultivation will yield from 

 seven to eight hundred bushels. 



An improved variety of the Long Red Mangel- German Red 

 wurzel, almost regularly cylindrical, and ter- wurzel. 

 minating at the lower extremity in an obtuse cone. It grows 

 much out of ground : the neck or crown is quite small ; it 

 is rarely forked or deformed by small side-roots, and is 

 generally much neater and more regular than the Long 

 Red. Well-developed specimens measure from eighteen to 

 twenty inches in length, and seven or eight inches in 

 diameter. 



For agricultural purposes, this variety is superior to the 

 Long Red, as it is larger, more productive, and more easily 

 harvested. 



