224 



Cultivation of Beet. 



every morning and evening M'ith hay only, as first mentioned, and the 

 experiment produced only — 



Milk , . 87 quarts. 

 Cream . . 4f „ 

 Butter . . 3ilbs." 



Mr. Newby's work is, in all probability, the most voluminous 

 report on the cultivation of beet yet written; it is a compilation 

 from the reports of gentlemen in various parts of the country, to 

 whom Mr. Newby supplied seed, of what was then considered 

 the only genuine stock, the long red variety. He mentions that 

 the mangold-wurzel was first introduced into this country for 

 general use about the year 1786, by Thomas Boothby Parkins, 

 Esq., then residing at Metz in France, who sent a packet of seed 

 to the late Sir Richard Jebb, Bart. ; and among the earliest cul- 

 tivators of this root were Sir William Jerningham and Sir 

 Mordaunt Martin, of the county of Norfolk. Mr. Newby in- 

 troduced its cultivation into Cambridgeshire in 1812. 



To save seed, the best-shaped roots should be selected at the 

 time of storing the crop, and stored separately. About the 

 beginning of April they may be dug in ; the distance from each 

 root being 2 to 3 feet. Care must be taken that the top of the 

 roots are just under the soil, for if covered in very deep, it some- 

 times happens that the shoots will not make their way through the 

 soil ; and on the other hand, if the mangold protrudes far above 

 the surface, it will shoot at first very well, but after a time will 

 suffer if dry weather follow, and will be liable to be broken off 

 by high winds. 



The seed generally ripens in September, and may be cut and 

 set up in shocks, and when perfectly ripe threshed in the field. 



The seed will require a keeper, as birds are very fond of it; it 

 may be preserved in sacks hung up, to keep the mice from it. 



In concluding this report, I shall only remark, that much more 

 might doubtless have been written on the subject; but I thought 

 it best, and most conformable to the regulations of the Society, to 

 confine myself either to what has been practised by my father 

 during a space of twenty-seven years (in which time he has never 

 failed in securing a crop), or to what 1 have myself seen practised 

 by other farmers. 



Hengrave, February 24th. 



