STOKES SEED FARMS COMPANY **s»> MOORESTOWN, NEW JERSEY 



B S> E> (Beta vulgaris) 



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

 is named Beta because its seed pod resembles the shape of the Greek 

 letter of that name. It has also been suggested that it came from the 

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

 garden varieties, is a native of Egypt, thus identifying two or three 

 so-called Egyptian beets handled by present-day seedsmen. The native 

 parent grew wild along the southern shores of the Mediterranean, and 

 was found as far east as the Caspian Sea and Persia. "Everything," 

 according to de Candolle, "shows that its cultivation does not date from 

 more than two or three centuries before 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 seven- 

 teenth 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 by 

 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. 10c, oz. 20c, H lb. 45c, 1 lb. $1.25, postpaid. 



No. 64 — Early Eclipse 



Days to Maturity, 50. Introduced by Gregory in 1880. Early 

 Eclipse is now one of the established early varieties. The root is 

 round, slightly top-shaped, bright red in color and about two and 

 one-quarter inches in diameter. The interior color is bright red, 

 zoned with pinkish white. Pkt. 10c, oz. 20c, 34 lb. 45c, 1 lb. 

 $1.25, postpaid. 



CROSBY'S_EGYPTIAN 



No. 67 — Crimson Globe 



Days to Maturity, 50. An old standard variety the origin of 

 which cannot be specifically determined. The beet is globe shaped 

 with a slender tap root. The zones are close together and the 

 texture of the flesh fine. Interior color is dark crimson. In flavor 

 the beet is excellent. Pkt. 10c, oz. 20c, ]4 lb. 45c, 1 lb. $1.25, 

 postpaid. 



DETROIT DARK RED 



(Natural Size) 



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 con- 

 fused with it. Early Flat Egyptian is 

 the best forcing beet under cultivation. 

 The roots are flatter and smaller than 

 the Crosby, but will not Temain in an 

 edible condition after maturity as long. 

 The color is a very dark red, the in- 

 terior dark blood-red, zoned with a 

 lighter shade. Pkt. 10c, oz. 20c, H lb. 

 45c, 1 lb. $1.25, postpaid. 



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. As one-third 

 of the root grows above ground a some- 

 what rough texture develops on the 

 surface of the beet thus exposed. In 

 spite of this, the variety is extensively 

 grown as a home and commercial 

 garden sort and for use by canners. 

 Pkt. 10c, oz. 20c, M lb. 45c, 1 lb. 

 $1.25, postpaid. 



14 



CRIMSON GLOBE 

 (Natural Size) 



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