THE BEET 103 
13. Make a cross section at the place where the beet 
narrows into the thin part of the root. Notice 
the white spot in the center ; the small white rings 
around the spot. If you press this quickly and 
firmly to the blotter, it will probably paint its 
picture. 
Beet portraits are sometimes very easy to get, and 
sometimes they are not. Usually the best are 
obtained where the root begins to taper. The 
cut surface must not be allowed to dry before 
pressing on the blotter. 
Vertical Section 
14. Make a vertical section of the beet. Cut carefully 
through the middle of the long root. 
Notice the white core running through the middle of 
the beet; the layers of red and white which start 
from the core and end in the core again. Notice 
the irregularity of these layers. How do they 
compare with the onion ? 
15. Where the white core runs down into the thin por- 
tion of the root you will find that it is really a 
thread or string of fibers. Raise this with a pin 
and see how long a piece you can take out of the 
root. 
