BEET. 71 
exportation. These grapes have no stones, are usually 
either of a red or black colour, and when recently 
gathered, are an extremely delicious fruit. 
The harvest commences in the month of August, and 
as soon as the grapes are plucked from the trees, they 
are spread to dry, upon a floor prepared for the pur- 
pose by stamping the earth quite hard. This floor is 
formed with a gentle rising in the middle, that the rain, 
in case any should fall, may run off, and not injure the 
fruit. When sufficiently dry, the currants are cleaned, 
and laid up in magazines, being poured into them 
through a hole, and stowed so closely that it is neces- 
sary to dig them out with an iron instrument. They 
are packed for exportation in large casks, and by per- 
sons who have their feet greased in order to tread them 
close. 
The principal consumption of currants is in England; 
but the inhabitants of t'ne islands whence they are 
brought know little of the use we make of them. They 
imagine that we employ them only in the dyeing of 
cloth, and are entirely ignorant of our luxury of Christ-? 
mas pies, and plum puddings. A small but inferior 
kind of currants are grown in some parts of Spain. 
DIGYNIA. 
80. BEET (Beta vulgaris) is a well known fleshy or succu- 
lent root, zchich is cultivated in our kitchen gardens, and grows 
wild in several countries of the south of Europe. 
There are two principal varieties of beet, one of which is of 
deep red or purple colour, and the other is white, crossed with 
bands of red. 
Red beet is principally used at table boiled and cut 
in slices: it is, however, sometimes pickled, and some- 
times stewed with onions ; but, if eaten in great quan- 
tity, it is said to be injurious to the stomach. The roots 
may be taken out of the ground for use about the end 
of August, but they do not attain their full size and per- 
fection till the month of October. When good they are 
