The Field and Garden Vegetables of America | Page 7

inches in diameter, and weighing
from twelve to fifteen pounds. Skin above ground, greenish-brown;
below, yellow. Flesh white, occasionally zoned or marked with yellow.
Leaves of medium size, rather numerous, erect, very pale, or yellowish
green; the stems and ribs light green.
While young and small, the roots are tender and well-flavored; but this
is a field rather than a table beet. In point of productiveness, it differs
little from the Common Long Red, and should be cultivated as directed
for that variety.

HALF LONG BLOOD.
Dwarf Blood. Fine Dwarf Red. Early Half Long Blood. Rouge Nain.
Vil.
[Illustration: Half Long Blood.]
Root produced within the earth, of medium size, or rather small;
usually measuring about three inches in thickness near the crown, and
tapering regularly to a point; the length being ten or twelve inches. Skin
smooth, very deep purplish-red. Flesh deep blood-red, circled and
rayed with paler red, remarkably fine grained, of firm texture, and very
sugary. Leaves small, bright red, blistered on the surface, and spreading
horizontally. Leaf-stems short.
An excellent, half-early, garden variety, sweet, and well flavored, a
good keeper, and by many considered very superior to the Common
Long Blood. When full grown, it is still tender and fine-grained, and
much less stringy and fibrous than the last named, at an equally
advanced stage of growth. It may be classed as one of the best
table-beets, and is well worthy cultivation.
IMPROVED LONG BLOOD.
Long Smooth Blood.
This is an improved variety of the Common Long Blood, attaining a
much larger size, and differing in its form, and manner of growth.
When matured in good soil, its length is from eighteen inches to two
feet; and its diameter, which is retained for more than half its length, is
from four to five inches. It is seldom very symmetrical in its form; for,
though it has but few straggling side-roots, it is almost invariably bent
and distorted. Skin smooth, very deep or blackish purple. Flesh dark
blood-red, sweet, tender, and fine grained, while the root is young and
small, but liable to be tough and fibrous when full grown. Leaves small,
erect-red, and not very numerous. Leaf-stems blood-red.
This beet, like the Common Long Blood, is a popular winter sort,

retaining its color well when boiled. It is of larger size than the last
named, grows more above the surface of the ground, and has fewer
fibrous and accidental small side-roots. While young, it compares
favorably with the old variety; but, when full grown, can hardly be said
to be much superior. To have the variety in its greatest perfection for
winter use, the seed should not be sown before the 10th of June; as the
roots of this, as well as those of nearly all the table-varieties, are much
more tender and succulent when very rapidly grown, and of about
two-thirds their full size.
Sow in drills fifteen inches apart, and thin to eight inches apart in the
drills; or sow on ridges eighteen inches apart.
LONG BLOOD.
Common Long Blood.
The roots of this familiar variety are long, tapering, and comparatively
slender; the size varying according to the depth and richness of the soil.
Skin dark purple, sometimes purplish-black. Flesh deep blood-red, very
fine grained and sugary, retaining its color well after being boiled.
Leaves rather numerous, of medium size, erect, deep purplish-red; the
leaf-stems blood-red.
One of the most popular of winter beets; but, for late keeping, the seed
should not be sown before the middle of June, as the roots, when large,
are frequently tough and fibrous.
The Improved Long Blood is a variety of this, and has, to a
considerable extent, superseded it in the vegetable garden; rather, it
would seem, on account of its greater size, than from any real
superiority as respects its quality or keeping properties.
LONG RED MANGEL WURZEL.
Red Mangel Wurzel. Marbled Field Beet. Law.
Root fusiform, contracted at the crown, which, in the genuine variety,

rises six or eight inches above the surface of the ground. Size large,
when grown in good soil; often measuring eighteen inches in length,
and six or seven inches in diameter. Skin below ground purplish-rose;
brownish-red where exposed to the air and light. Leaves green; the
stems and nerves washed or stained with rose-red. Flesh white, zoned
and clouded with different shades of red.
The Long Red Mangel Wurzel is hardy, keeps well, grows rapidly, is
very productive, and in this country is more generally cultivated for
agricultural purposes than any other variety. According to Lawson, the
marbled or mixed color of its flesh seems particularly liable to vary: in
some specimens, it is almost of a uniform red; while, in others, the red
is scarcely, and often not at all, perceptible. These variations in color
are, however, of no importance as respects