10 ESCULENT ROOTS. 



a considerable extent, superseded it in the vegetable garden ; 

 rather, it would seem, on account of its greater size than 

 from any real superiority as respects its quality, or keeping 

 properties. 



Long Red Root fusiform, contracted at the crown, 

 Mangel- 1-1.1 



wurzel. which, in the genuine variety, rises six or 



e ig nt inches above the surface of the ground. 

 When grown in good soil, it attains a large 

 size, often measuring eighteen inches in length, and six or 

 seven inches in diameter. Skin below ground purplish-rose, 

 brownish-red where exposed to the air and light. Leaves 

 green ; the stems and nerves washed or stained with rose- 

 red. Flesh white, zoned and clouded with different shades 

 of red. 



The Long Red Mangel - wurzel is hardy, keeps well, 

 grows rapidly, is very productive, and, in this country, is 

 more generally cultivated for agricultural purposes than any 

 other variety. According to Lawson, the marbled or mixed 

 color of its flesh seems particularly liable to vary : in some 

 specimens, it is almost of a uniform red ; while in others 

 the red is scarcely, and often not at all, perceptible. These 

 variations in color are, however, of no importance as re- 

 spects the quality of the roots. 



The seed may be sown from the middle of April till the 

 last of May. If sown in drills, they should be at least 

 eighteen inches apart, and the plants should be thinned to 

 ten inches in the drills. If sown on ridges, the sowing 

 should be made in double rows ; the ridges being three and 

 a half or four feet apart, and the rows fifteen inches apart. 

 The yield varies with the quality of the soil and the state 

 of cultivation ; thirty and thirty-five tons being frequently 

 harvested from an acre. 



While young, the roots are tender and well-flavored, and 

 are sometimes employed for table use. 



