The Field and Garden Vegetables of America | Page 6

its small size, it requires little space, and may be grown
in rows twelve inches apart.

COW-HORN MANGEL WURZEL. Vil.
Serpent-like Beet. Cow-horn Scarcity.
A sub-variety of the Mangel Wurzel, producing its roots almost entirely
above ground; only a small portion growing within the earth. Root long
and slender, two feet and a half in length, and nearly three inches in
diameter at its broadest part; often grooved or furrowed lengthwise, and
almost invariably bent and distorted,--the effect either of the wind, or of
the weight of its foliage. Flesh greenish white, circled with red at the
centre. Leaves of medium size, green, erect; the leaf-stems and nerves
pale red or rose color.
It derives its different names from its various contorted forms;
sometimes resembling a horn, and often assuming a shape not unlike
that of a serpent.
The variety is much esteemed and extensively cultivated in some parts
of Europe, although less productive than the White Sugar or Long Red
Mangel Wurzel.
EARLY MANGEL WURZEL.
Early Scarcity. Disette Hâtive. Vil.
Aside from its smaller size, this variety much resembles the Common
Red Mangel Wurzel. Root contracted towards the crown, which rises
two or three inches above the surface of the soil, and tapering within
the earth to a regular cone. Skin purplish rose, deeper colored than that
of the last named. Flesh white, circled or zoned with pale red. Leaves
spreading, green; the leaf-stems rose-colored.
It is remarkable for the regular and symmetrical form of its roots, which
grow rapidly, and, if pulled while young, are tender, very sweet, and
well flavored. Planted the last of June, it makes a table-beet of more
than average quality for winter use.
When sown early, it attains a comparatively large size, and should have

a space of twenty inches between the rows; but, when sown late, fifteen
inches between the rows, and six inches between the plants in the rows,
will afford ample space for their development.
EARLY BLOOD TURNIP-ROOTED.
Early Turnip Beet.
[Illustration: Early Blood Turnip-rooted]
The roots of this familiar variety are produced almost entirely within
the earth, and measure, when of average size, from four inches to four
and a half in depth, and about four inches in diameter. Form turbinate,
flattened, smooth, and symmetrical. Neck small, tap-root very slender,
and regularly tapering. Skin deep purplish-red. Flesh deep blood-red,
sometimes circled and rayed with paler red, remarkably sweet and
tender. Leaves erect, not very numerous, and of a deep-red color,
sometimes inclining to green; but the stems and nerves always of a
deep brilliant red.
The Early Blood Turnip Beet succeeds well from Canada to the Gulf of
Mexico; and in almost every section of the United States is more
esteemed, and more generally cultivated for early use, than any other
variety. Among market-gardeners, it is the most popular of the summer
beets. It makes a rapid growth, comes early to the table, and, when
sown late, keeps well, and is nearly as valuable for use in winter as in
summer and autumn.
In common with most of the table sorts, the turnip-rooted beets are
much sweeter and more tender if pulled before they are fully grown;
and consequently, to have a continued supply in their greatest
perfection, sowings should be made from the beginning of April to the
last of June, at intervals of two or three weeks.
The roots, especially those intended for seed, should be harvested
before severe frosts, as they are liable to decay when frozen at the
crown, or even chilled. Sow in drills fourteen inches apart; and, when
two inches in height, thin out the plants to six inches apart in the drills.

An acre of land in good cultivation will yield from seven to eight
hundred bushels.
GERMAN RED MANGEL WURZEL.
Disette d'Allemagne. Vil.
An improved variety of the Long Red Mangel Wurzel, almost regularly
cylindrical, and terminating at the lower extremity in an obtuse cone. It
grows much out of ground, the neck or crown is comparatively small, it
is rarely forked or deformed by small side roots, and is generally much
neater and more regular than the Long Red. Size very large;
well-developed specimens measuring from eighteen to twenty inches in
length, and seven or eight inches in diameter. Flesh white, with red
zones or rings; more colored than that of the last named. Leaves erect,
green; the stems and nerves washed or stained with rose-red.
For agricultural purposes, this variety is superior to the Long Red, as it
is larger, more productive, and more easily harvested.
GERMAN YELLOW MANGEL WURZEL.
Green Mangel Wurzel. Jaune d'Allemagne. Vil.
Root produced half above ground, nearly cylindrical for two-thirds its
length, terminating rather bluntly, and often branched or deformed by
small side-roots. Size large; when well grown, measuring sixteen or
eighteen inches deep, six or seven