226 [Assembly 



but in Europe are, first the long rooted whicli should be sown 

 in a deep rich sandy loam. 2nd. The short or turnip rooted, for 

 the growth of which, a shallower soil will do. 3rd. The green 

 leaved red rooted, requiring a depth of soil. equal to that of the 

 long rooted ; there are several varieties under each of these heads, 

 which will not be of much use to notice. Besides these there are 

 the white beet and the mangel-wurzel. The first has become 

 celebrated throughout Europe .and it may be said, the world, as 

 the Sugar Beet, from this has been manufactured in France and 

 some other countries, by their able chemists, sugars both brown 

 and white of the best kind. This valuable vegetable was brought 

 into use by Napoleon, in his long war with the English and others ; 

 he was shut out, from tlie tropical regions, wliich produce the 

 cane, heretofore almost the only source of sugars in the greatest 

 perfection and -abundance. The genius of Napoleon triumphed 

 over this difficulty, as it did many others, with the aid of science 

 by the acute and learned chemists of France, sugar was manufac- 

 tured from the Beet in quality equal and some think superior to 

 any other, and in quantity sufficient to supply the greater part 

 of Europe. Many nations of the continent continue to make 

 and use it, to this day, to the great advantage of their agricultural 

 and manufacturing industry. Our northern and middle States 

 might use this beet (as they can and do grow it) in the same way, 

 if they saw fit ; perhaps the time may eome when they may find 

 it their interest to do it. Beet tops are good as a green, fine to 

 eat as spinach or as winter salad, or as asparagus. 



It is supposed to be a salt water plant, as it grows near the sea- 

 shore, or when surrounded by salt water. St. Helena is said to 

 produce it in larger quantities than any place in the world. If a 

 little cultivated, from. 50' to GO tons per acre have been obtained. 

 Sedge or salt water grass is a fine manure for it ; common salt is 

 good, about G or 8 bushels to the acre. The soil should be trenched 

 or ploughed very deep, subsoiled, well pulverized in every res- 

 pect, and manured higlily with the most suitable manures, to 

 produce heavy crops. Several kinds of the best have been 

 anal ized, including the mangel-wurzel, by Davy, Herepathj and 

 other eminent chemists, and they have all been found to contain 

 much more nutritive matter than the Swedish Turnip — more than 



