170 Root Crops 



form of B. vulgaris var. perennis, Linn. (B. maritima, Linn. 

 B. vulgaris var. maritima, Koch), of tlie sea-coasts of western 

 Europe, a very different lool^ing plant, perennial, with long 

 hard thick-branched root,, smaller leaves, and many prostrate 

 or decumbent stems. The evolution of the beet is a remark- 

 able example of modification, in which the whole habit and 

 habitat of the plant have been changed. The sugar-beet (B. 

 vulgaris var. saccharifera, Alef.) is part of this modification. 

 The mangel-wurzel, or mangold of English and American writ- 

 ing, is another form' of it. In Korth America the beet is 

 thought of in relation to its thick edible root, but another race 

 is developed in its leaves rather than in its roots. We may 

 therefore distinguish the leaf -beet and the root-beet; in Eng- 

 land the latter is known as beet-root; in France the leaf- 

 beets are known as poirg. 



Var. Cicia, Linn. Sp. PI. 222. Le^cf-Beet. Root down- 

 ward, not developed into a fleshy edible part, sometimes 

 branched : leaves much developed, usually larger and broader 

 than in the common beet, sometimes 2 ft. long, the midrib 

 usually broad and often fleshy. Here belong the ornamental- 

 leaved beets and also the Swiss chard. The word Cicla refers 

 to Sicily. 



RADISH 



Quick and continuous growth., carefully selected seed, 

 rather cool weather for the early bunching kinds, protec- 

 tion from the root-mag got-^ihese are prime considerations 

 in the growing of radishes. The radish is a partial-season 

 crop. It is easy to grow on Ugh t fertile land. 



Radishes are usually sown as early in spring as the ground 

 is fit, even before the frosts are past. Sow in rows 6 to 12 

 in. apart, or farther apart if a wheel-hoe is to be used. 

 Cover % to % in. Thin 1 to 3 in. apart, depending on variety. 

 For family use, sow at intervals of 7 to 10 dajs. As the sea- 

 son advances, choose a cooler site, as a northern exposure. 



