By Mr. William Morgan. 



The fourth sort, the Bette-rave Rouge Rondv Prrcoce of the 

 French, is not very common in the English gardens, but it 

 is sometimes cultivated under the name of the Turnep- 

 rooted Red Beet. The produce of French seeds was the 

 best. This is cultivated on account of its early maturity, 

 being fit for use before the long-rooted sorts, and it is recom- 

 mended for shallow soils, in which the long roots of the 

 other kinds never form well. Its root grows principally 

 within the earth, but the broad surface of the top is exposed 

 to view, and looks rough and brown; the leaves are ex- 

 panded, spreading out widely, they are not numerous, 

 those in the centre being short and small ; the footstalks of 

 the outer ones are from five to six inches long, of a pale 

 colour, tinged or striped with purple ; the nerves of the 

 leaves are whitish, and are tinged in like manner, as the foot- 

 stalks ; the leaves themselves are of a shining green, having 

 the appearance of a purple stain, the effect of the colour in 

 the veins ; the diameter of the root, at the top, is near five 

 inches, and it is not more in length, tapering very suddenly, 

 and throwing out a few strong fibres, but no fangs ; its colour 

 is a purplish red, the rings are lighter, and though they are 

 concentric, they are not circular, but very irregular ; the rings 

 and parts of the root are sometimes white, which is a defect ; 

 the lamina of the root which constitute these rings, are very 

 thick. The root boils of a pink colour, is coarse in appearance, 

 but early in the season is certainly better flavoured than the 

 other kinds ; it is tender, and free from fibres. 



The fifth kind was obtained from France under the name 

 of the Petite Bette-rave Rouge, and is of considerable value. 

 The root grows within the ground ; the leaves are upright, 



vol. in. O o 



