284 GAKDENING POK THE SOUTH. 



BEET. — (Beta vulgaris, and B. Cicla.) 



The Common Beet (Beta vulgaris) is a biennial plant, a 

 native of the sea coasts of the south of Europe, and is said 

 to have been cultivated for its beautiful red roots long 

 before its edible properties were discovered. 



It was introduced into England by Tradescant, in the 

 year 1656. Its name is said to come from the resemblance 

 of its seed to the letter Beta, of the Greek alphabet. 



The best varieties are the following: 



Extra Early Turnip, or Bassano Beet. — The root is 

 oval; color, pale red. Downing truly says "it is the 

 sweetest, most tender, and delicate of all beets" ; but the 

 color boils out, so that it is not as beautiful as some 

 others; yet it is the best early beet and one of the easiest 

 grown. 



Extra Early Egyptian Beet. — This was a great 

 favorite among market gardeners several years since. It 

 is of fair quality, flat in shape; of a deep red color, and a 

 small to]). It soon loses its flavor and becomes woody. 



Early Eclipse Beet. — A smooth, round beet and of 

 intense red color, with small top; fine grain, sweet, and 

 delicate flavor. The heavy crop it produces and its many 

 fine qualities make this beet desirable for gardens. 



For later crops there are several varieties among the 

 Blood turnip beets which yield excellent results. The 

 following represent the best: 



Long Blood is the kind most grown for winter use. It 

 grows a foot or more in length, and four or five inches in 

 diameter, mostly beneath the earth. It is a good keeper 

 and very sweet. 



Early Long Blood resembles this; but about half the 

 root is above ground, and if not gathered and stored 

 early, is more exposed to injury from frost. 



Besides the above, a few other varieties are grown in 



