64 THE SUGAR BEET. 



very sweet, but not as laueh used as the type (a) on 

 account of its color. 



2 (a) Oerman Red Mangel Wurzel (Disette d'Al- 

 lemagne).^ — This grows two-thirds out of the ground, 

 and when fully grown measures from sixteen to nine- 

 teen inches in length, and has a diameter of five to nine 

 inches. The flesh is white, and, when cut in two and 

 examined, zones are visible, these being slightly on the 

 red. This variety has seldom side roots. The skin is 

 red under ground and brownish above. The yield per 

 hectare (two and a half acres) is supposed to be 10,000 

 to 40,000 kilog. (22,000 to 88,000 lbs.), and it contains, 

 according to Vilmorin, seven per cent, of sugar.^ The 

 leaves are green, and stems slightly on the rose. 



(3) Long, White, Green-top Mangel Wurzel (Di- 

 sette blanche a ecollet vert). — This type also grows 

 greatly out of ground ; when fully developed has a 

 length of thirteen to nineteen inches, and a diameter 

 of about six inches. The portion exposed to the air 

 is green, and beneath the surface white. The yield 

 per hectare (two and a half acres) is supposed to be 

 the same as (y), and contains, according to Yilmorin, 

 7.4 per cent, of sugar. The leaves are green and of a 

 good size. 



1 "Mangel wurzel" is derived from the German, and means scarcity-root, 

 when, on the contrary, it is in great abundance. The French have adopted 

 "disette," which is also irrational. These roots were known first to exist in 

 Germany, and afterwards transported to England by Dr. Lettson. 



^ The above figures are only approximate, as the yield and per cent, of 

 sugar vary according to the climate, soil, etc. 



