3S8 CHENOPODIACE^ 



the seedlings injure each other and produce deformed and 

 small 'roots.' 



The true seed is very small, a fact which must be taken into 

 consideration when sowing is contemplated as it is readily buried 

 too deeply for proper germination. 



Varieties. — Mangels may be conveniently divided according 

 to their shape and the colour of the skin of the parts below 

 ground. Usually the petiole and main veins of the leaves 

 resemble the skin of the ' root ' in tint, and there is frequently a 

 tendency for the parenchymatous zones or soft rings of the flesh 

 to be similarly coloured. 



Much variation, however, exists in the colour of the skin and 

 flesh, few crops proving quite ' true ' in these respects. The best 

 varieties, especially the Golden Tankard, are most subject to 

 reversion, and need constant attention on the part of the seeds- 

 man to keep the strain ' true.' 



A good mangel should yield a heavy crop, and the feeding 

 quality should be as great as possible. Besides these points it 

 is of importance to note the depth to which it grows in the soil, 

 as the expense of lifting a deeply-seated crop may materially 

 reduce its usefulness from the farmer's point of view. 



It must, however, be borne in mind that, so far as composi- 

 tion is concerned, mangels with ' roots ' below the ground are 

 richer in sugar and of better feeding-value than those with 

 ' roots ' above ground. 



The continuation of the tap root should be single and small ; 

 those with ' fanged,' thick secondary roots are more difficult to 

 pull and clean, and generally of a coarse and fibrous nature. The 

 ' neck ' or rough upper part of the mangel should be as small as 

 possible, and its flesh firm and solid, with no tendency to spongi- 

 ness in the centre. 



The variety should be as ' true ' as possible, so far as its shape 

 and colour of skin is concerned, and its keeping qualities should 

 be good. 



