STOKES SEED FARMS COMPANY 



MOORESTOWN 



NEW JERSEY 



Beet 



'^1 



CROSBY'S EGYPTIAN 



(X 3/5) 



History. — A native of Europe, North Africa and Western Asia. 

 It is named Beta because its seed pod resembles the shape of theGreek 



J^^^^^^K^ ^^^6^ letter of that name. It has also been suggested that it came from 

 ^^^H^^^^ ^1^^ the Celtic word Beta, meaning red. Beta Vulgaris, the parent of our 

 ^^H^HHHh garden varieties, is a native of Egypt, thus identifying two or 

 ^^V^^^Hp '^^B ^^^'^^^ so-called Egyptian beets handled by present day seedsmen. 

 ^^^^S' ^mi^^B ^^^^ native parent grew wild along the southern shores of the 

 ^^HB flHH^r Mediterranean, and was found as far east as the Caspian Sea and 

 Persia. "Everj^,hing," according to de Candolle, "shows that its 



cultivation does not date from more than two or three centuries 

 l)efore the Christian Era." It is not known exactly when the beet root 

 was first introduced into cultivation. The ancients were well acquainted 

 with the plant, but we have no account from which we can have certain 

 knowledge that they cultivated it. Certainly it has been a garden 

 vegetable for two thousand years, as it is mentioned by most of the early 

 writers on plants. De Serres, the seventeenth century French botanist, 

 states that it was brought into France from Italy just prior to his time, 

 and it no doubt was taken to England shortly afterward. 



No. 60. Crosby's Egyptian. Days to Maturity, 45. Originated 

 by Mr. Josiah Crosby, a New England market gardener. After years 

 of selection from the older Egyptian Beet, it was introduced in 1893 by 

 Schlegel & Fottler and by Rawson. Four years later it was still listed 

 as a novelty b,v Johnson & Stokes. Crosby's Egyptian is, perhaps, the most largely used beet for the early season 

 operations by all classes of planters. The top is small, the root is turnip shaped, of fine quality, deep blood- 

 red color and develops rapidly. For all general purposes, it will prove more satisfactory than Early Flat Egyptian, 

 inasmuch as it will be in condition for use just as early and will not become woody and tasteless so quickly. It 

 may be sown outside as late as July. However, for late summer planting we would 

 advise New Century. 



Pkt. 5^, 1 oz. lOi, li \h. 25«i, lb. .$1.00, 5 lbs. -M.SO, postpaid; by express, 5 lbs. 

 or more, 80^ per lb. 



No. 62. Early Flat Egyptian. Days to Maturity, 45. First 

 listed by Gregory in 1874. This is the old original type of Egyptian 

 Beet as known in this country, and as the parent of Crosby's Egyptian 

 it has some similar characteristics, but must not be confused with it. 

 Early Flat Egyptian is the best forcing beet imder cultivation. The 

 roots are flatter and smaller than the Crosby, but will not remain in 

 an edible condition after maturity as long. The color is a very dark red, 

 the interior dark blood-red, zoned with a lighter shade. 



Pkt. 5f<, 1 oz. 10^ M lb. lb. $1.00, 5 lbs. $4.50. postpaid; l)y 

 express, 5 lbs. or more, 80^5 per lb. 



No. 66. Detroit Dark Red. Days to Maturity, 45. Introduced 

 by Ferry in 1892, and now one of the most universally planted varieties 

 for all purposes. The shape of Detroit Dark Red is almost globe, as will be 

 seen in the illustration. Our principal objection to this variety is that one- 

 third of the root grows above the ground. This habit of growth has 

 developed a rather rough texture extending down at least an inch of the 

 surface of the beet. Even the very best stocks of Detroit are affected 

 in this way, thus making them less attractive and less valuable. This handicap, however, 

 does not prevent a very extensive annual planting of the variety both as a home and 

 commercial garden sort and for use by canners. 



Pkt. bi, oz. 10<*, ^4 lb. 25»», lb. $1.00, 5 lbs. $4..50, postpaid; by express, 5 lbs. or ■ dark red 



more, 80^ per lb. V (Natural Size) 



2"^ 



For early beets plant Crosby. For late plant New Century 



