486 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 



cymes from the axils. They consist of a pitcher-shaped perianth, five 

 stamens, an ovary sunk in the disk, with a short style and two to four 

 stigmas. The species are natives of Northern Temperate Europe and 

 Asia ; one British. 



History "^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ maritima of our own seashores is 



believed by some to be the raw material from which the 

 Garden Beet and the Marigold Wurzel have been evolved. Some species 

 of the wild plant exhibit a strong purple, others a yellowish green 

 coloration of their roots and leaves, which appears to indicate how the 

 two races have originated. By others the South European B. vulgaris 

 is considered not as an intermediate stage in this evolutionary process, 

 but as a distinct species, cultivated from early times. The Romans grew 

 it of old and esteemed it as food ; probably they brought it with them 

 when they annexed Britain, but if so, its cultivation became a lost art 

 for the record of its introduction gives the date as 1548, though it is not 

 known to have been really in cultivation here until about a hundred 

 years later. But, of course, with Beta as a culinary or agricultural root 

 we have nothing to do here ; our connection with it is as a foliage plant, 

 its flowers being horticulturally beneath notice. The Sicilian Beet, B. 

 cicla, and its variety known as Chilian Beet, are largely used where fine- 

 coloured and bold foliage is required, as in Sub-tropical gardening. 

 Principal species. ^^'^^ ^^'^^^ (Sicilian) has very small roots, but fine 

 large leaves with broad, thick midribs, 6 feet high. The 

 form commonly known as the Chilian Beet is the var. variegata, with 

 beautifully variegated, erect leaves 3 or 4 feet long, a foot wide, and with 

 orange or scarlet midribs. 



Beta hortensis metallica (metallic Garden Beet) is known as the 

 Victoria Beet. This is more largely used than the former in general 

 bedding. The leaves are of a fine deep blood-red with a metallic lustre, 

 and the roots are large and edible. 



cultivation. ^^^^ succeed best in a light sandy soil in an open 



sunny spot. Seed should be sown in the seed-bed in April, 

 and transplanted to the beds where desired for ornament. They attain 

 their full foliage in August and September. Where such strains as the 

 Victoria Beet and Dell's Crimson are employed the roots may be used 

 for the table at the end of the season— an admirable combination of the 

 ornamental and the useful. Where a straight row is desired, as in 

 carpet-bedding, it will be found best to sow in the permanent position and 

 thin out the seedlings to the required distance. Where there is plenty of 

 room these look well if planted in masses ; where space is more limited 

 it is better to plant single specimens at some distance from each other. 



