THE FIELD AND GARDEN VEGETABLES OF AMERICA
TEXT
TEXT
PAPER
SEARCH INSIDE THIS BOOK
48 pages
Results for Stal. Open a page to see the matches highlighted.
Page 2 2 matches
sinking the crowns to a level with the surface of the ground. As the stalks increase in height, tie them to stakes for support. The plants will blossom in June and July, and the seeds
Page 3 1 match
he crowns just below a level with the surface of the ground. The seed-stalks are from four to six feet in height, with numerous branches. The flowers appear in June and July; are white
Page 4 1 match
eighteen inches high, a little rough, and sharply pointed. The flower-stalks are nearly of the same height as the leaves, three-cornered, hard, and leafless, with the exception of five
Page 5 4 matches
avor of the potato, with a very slight acidity. The tender, succulent stalks and foliage are used as salad. OXALIS, RED TUBEROUS-ROOTED. Oca colorada. Plant similar in habit to the
Page 6 3 matches
xtremity of very short runners; seldom more than nine inches from the stalk of the plant." _Forcing._--This should be commenced from three to four weeks before the season for planting
Page 7 1 match
for family use, but less profitable than many others for the market. Stalks upright; blossoms pinkish, but not abundant. In quality, this comparatively old and well-known variety is
Page 8 5 matches
ith proper watering, they will soon strike, and shoot up in branching stalks, producing abundance of seeds, ripening in autumn. One ounce and a half of seed will sow a bed five feet i
Page 9 4 matches
n for use till April, or until the plants have begun to send up their stalks for flowering. _Seeds,--production and quantity._--For the production of seeds, allow a few plants to rema
Page 10 1 match
and June of the second year, and the seeds ripen in July; the flower-stalk rises three feet or more in height, with numerous branches; the leaves are clasping, and much smoother and m
Page 11 2 matches
ll size; usually measuring about half an inch in diameter. The flower-stalk rises to the height of the leaves, and produces, at its extremity, a globular group of purplish, barren flow
Page 12 5 matches
he flowers are rose-colored, and are produced at the extremity of the stalk, in large, regular, globular heads, or umbels; the seeds are similar to those of the Common Garlic, but are
Page 13 3 matches
ng. The Potato Onion produces no seeds, neither small bulbs upon its stalks, in the manner of many of the species of the Onion family; but, if a full-grown bulb be set in spring, a nu
Page 14 5 matches
ntral heads to remain; and, just as the flowers expand, bend over the stalk so as to allow the rain to run from the buds, as the seeds are often injured by wet weather. In favorable se
Page 15 2 matches
ions for dressing them:-- "When a Cardoon is to be cooked, the solid stalks of the leaves are to be cut in pieces about six inches long, and boiled, like any other vegetable, in pure
Page 17 1 match
; by which character, it may be readily distinguished from the Daree. Stalk very short; flesh an inch and a half or two inches thick, bright-green, melting, very sweet, and highly flav
Page 20 2 matches
ojection upon it, consisting of the permanent fleshy style. The fruit-stalk is short, nearly cylindrical, never deeply five-furrowed, but merely longitudinally striated or wrinkled, an
Page 21 13 matches
ak-leaved Kale. The Buda Kale somewhat resembles the Purple; but the stalk is shorter. The leaves are purplish, somewhat glaucous, cut and fringed. The variety is not only hardy and w
Page 22 7 matches
than the foregoing variety; and, on account of its greater length of stalk, much more productive. There is, however, very little permanency to these sorts. Much of the seed found in
Page 23 13 matches
t conical, but sometimes nearly round, compact; leaves very glaucous; stalk small. A fine, early variety, heading readily. As the plants occupy but little space, it is recommended as
Page 24 10 matches
IS CAULIFLOWER. Head rather large, white, and compact; leaves large; stalk short. An early sort. In France, it is sown in June, and the heads come to table in autumn. ERFURT'S EARLY
Page 25 15 matches
bed on the borders, smooth, and of a peculiar bluish-green color; the stalk, when the plant is in flower, is solid and branching, and measures about four feet in height; the flowers, w
Page 26 17 matches
irly attempted. The fibre is easily separated from other parts of the stalk, without their undergoing the processes of watering and bleaching; although, by such, the labor necessary fo
Page 27 7 matches
four inches wide, oval-hastate or halberd-shaped, growing on long footstalks. The upper leaves are more blistered than those attached to the root; the flower-stems are short. The princ
Page 28 16 matches
near the sea, where it rises with wedge-shaped leaves and a furrowed stalk, producing greenish flowers in August." Under cultivation, the leaves are pinnatifid, with triangular leafle
Page 29 2 matches
sh of this is white, and comparatively tender, with the flavor of the stalks of Common Celery, though generally less mild and delicate. It is principally valued for its remarkable hard
Page 30 2 matches
d,--the divisions of the radical or root leaves rounded, those of the stalk long, narrow, and pointed; the flowers are comparatively large, white, or rose-colored, and produced in erec
Page 31 2 matches
y cylindrical, and from an inch to two inches and a half in diameter; stalk two feet or more in height, smooth and branching; the radical leaves are from fifteen to eighteen inches in
Page 32 1 match
rally, is well flavored, and so slow in the development of its flower-stalk, that the heads are sometimes artificially divided at the top to facilitate its growth, and to secure the se
Page 33 4 matches
,--the radical or lower ones rough, those of the upper portion of the stalk smooth; the flowers are numerous, rather large, bright-yellow; the pods are erect, somewhat four-sided, and
Page 34 11 matches
Green Purslain, but differing in the paler or yellowish color of the stalks and leaves. GREEN PURSLAIN. Pourpier vert. _Vil._ Leaves an inch and three-fourths in length, and upwar
Page 35 11 matches
ogether at the extremity of quite a long stem, or petiole; the flower-stalk is entirely leafless, and supports a solitary bell-shaped flower, the petals of which are white, finely line
Page 36 6 matches
r three feet high. The radical leaves, which are produced on long footstalks, are oval, serrated, and of a grayish color,--those of the stalk are sessile, smaller than the radical ones
Page 37 4 matches
heart-shaped, woolly, toothed on the margin, and produced on long footstalks,--those of the flower-stalks are oblong, sessile, and nearly entire on the borders; the flowers are small,
Page 38 2 matches
use as soon as they have made sufficient growth; but, for drying, the stalks are gathered as they come into flower. If propagated by dividing the roots, the old plants should be taken
Page 40 1 match
ble in about six weeks, and the crop will ripen in sixty-three days. Stalk fourteen to sixteen inches high, with comparatively few branches; flowers purple; pods four and a half to fi
Page 42 1 match
ant scarlet flowers; the latter being produced in spikes, on long footstalks. The pods are six inches long, nearly an inch broad, somewhat hairy while young, sickle-shaped and wrinkled
Page 44 1 match
are yellow, stained or spotted with black, and produced one on a foot-stalk; the pods are oval, smooth, and contain three or four globular, wrinkled, grayish-brown seeds, nearly a four
Page 45 3 matches
et high, stocky, vigorous, and very prolific; pods ten to twelve on a stalk, long, round when fully grown, curved, hooked at the extremity, but not so much so as in the Auvergne,--to w
Page 47 7 matches
of strong, robust growth, somewhat branched; pods ten or twelve on a stalk or branch, large, flat, straight, containing six or eight large peas, which are very sugary and excellent. T
Page 48 1 match
e lower leaves are three-parted, while those of the upper part of the stalk are oval or entire. OVAL-LEAVED. Stem about two feet high, with a few short branches; the leaves are oblo
Page 49 2 matches
ing: but the roots are smaller, less woody, and more fibrous, and the stalks are shorter, and more slender; the leaves are smaller, more finely cut, or divided, pale-green above, and h
Page 50 8 matches
ot to be injured by freezing, it will ripen and dry off best upon the stalks in the open ground; but if in the milk, or still soft and tender at the approach of freezing weather, it sh
Page 51 12 matches
Stalk six feet or more in height; ears five or six inches long, an inch and a half in diameter, somewhat conical,
Page 52 2 matches
_Capsicum annuum_, or Common Garden-pepper, is a native of India. The stalks vary in height from a foot to nearly three feet; the flowers are generally white or purple; the pods differ
Page 53 23 matches
a hardy, perennial plant, cultivated almost exclusively for its leaf-stalks. Its general character may be described as follows: Root-leaves large, round-heart-shaped, deep-green, and
Page 55 1 match
235. Purple, 235. Red, 235. Red Marrow-stem, 236. Red-stalked, 236. Russian, 231. Tall Green, 236. Tall Green Curled, 236. Tall German Greens, 236.
Page 56 2 matches
e-ribbed Silver, 292. Large-ribbed Yellow Brazilian, 291. Red-stalked, 291. Sea-kale, 292. Silver-leaf, 292. Swiss Chard, 292. Yellow-stalked, 291. Leek, 125
Page 57 2 matches
Purple, 298. Purple-bordered Green, 299. Red, 298. Red-stalked Green, 299. Red-stalked White, 299. White, 299. White French Spinach, 299. Yellow, 299.
Produced by Janet Blenkinship, and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
produced from images generously made available by The
Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
THE
FIELD AND GARDEN VEGETABLES
OF
AMERICA;
CONTAINING
FULL DESCRIPTIONS OF NEARLY ELEVEN HUNDRED SPECIES AND VARIETIES; WITH
DIRECTIONS FOR PROPAGATION, CULTURE, AND USE.
BY FEARING BURR, JR.
ILLUSTRATED.
BOSTON: CROSBY AND NICHOLS,
117, WASHINGTON STREET.
1863.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863,
BY FEARING BURR, JR.,
In the Clerk's office of the District Court of the District of
Massachusetts.
BOSTON:
PRINTED BY JOHN WILSON AND SON, 5, WATER STREET
* * * * *
TO
HON. ALBERT FEARING,
President of the Hingham Agricultural and Horticultural Society,
WHOSE EARNEST LABORS AND LIBERAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE CAUSE OF
HUMANITY HAVE ENDEARED HIS NAME TO THE AGED POOR AND TO
ORPHAN CHILDREN, AND WHOSE ACTIVE SERVICES HAVE
EXERTED SO BENEFICIAL AN INFLUENCE ON AGRICULTURAL
PURSUITS IN HIS NATIVE TOWN,
This Volume is gratefully and respectfully Dedicated
BY THE AUTHOR.
* * * * *
PREFACE.
Though embracing all the directions necessary for the successful
management of a Vegetable Garden, the present volume is offered to the
public as a manual or guide to assist in the selection of varieties,
rather than as a treatise on cultivation. Through the standard works of
American authors, as well as by means of the numerous agricultural and
horticultural periodicals of our time, all information of importance
relative to the various methods of propagation and culture, now in
general practice, can be readily obtained.
But, with regard to the characteristics which distinguish the numerous
varieties; their difference in size, form, color, quality, and season of
perfection; their hardiness, productiveness, and comparative value for
cultivation,--these details, a knowledge of which is important as well
to the experienced cultivator as to the beginner, have heretofore been
obtained only through sources scattered and fragmentary.
To supply this deficiency in horticultural literature, I have
endeavored, in the following pages, to give full descriptions of the
vegetables common to the gardens of this country. It is not, however,
presumed that the list is complete, as many varieties, perhaps of much
excellence, are comparatively local: never having been described, they
are, of course, little known. Neither is the expectation indulged, that
all the descriptions will be found perfect; though much allowance must
be made in this respect for the influence of soil, locality, and
climate, as well as for the difference in taste of different
individuals.
Much time, labor, and expense have been devoted to secure accuracy of
names and synonymes; the seeds of nearly all of the prominent varieties
having been imported both from England and France, and planted, in
connection with American vegetables of the same name, with reference to
this object alone.
The delay and patience required in the preparation of a work like the
present may be in some degree appreciated from the fact, that in order
to obtain some comparatively unimportant particular with regard to the
foliage, flower, fruit, or seed, of some obscure and almost unknown
plant, it has been found necessary to import the seed or root; to plant,
to till, to watch, and wait an entire season.
Though some vegetables have been included which have proved of little
value either for the table or for agricultural purposes, still it is
believed such descriptions will be found by no means unimportant; as a
timely knowledge of that which is inferior, or absolutely worthless, is
often as advantageous as a knowledge of that which is of positive
superiority.
That the volume may be acceptable to the agriculturist, seedsman, and to
all who may possess, cultivate, or find pleasure in, a garden, is the
sincere wish of the author.
F. B., JR.
HINGHAM, March, 1863.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.
In the preparation of this work, I have received the cheerful
co-operation of many esteemed personal friends, to whom I would here
express my grateful acknowledgments.
For many valuable suggestions with regard to the culture and general
management of the Potato, as well as for much important information
respecting nearly all of our American varieties of this vegetable, I am
indebted to J. F. C. HYDE, Esq., of Newton, Mass.; whose long experience
in the production of seedlings, as well as in the cultivation of
established kinds, will give peculiar value to this portion of the
volume.
The illustrations, so excellent and truthful, are from the pencil of Mr.
ISAAC SPRAGUE, of Cambridge, Mass.; whose fine delineations of animal as
well as vegetable life have won for him the reputation of being "the
first of living artists."
I am peculiarly indebted to Rev. E. PORTER DYER, of Hingham, for much
valuable advice and assistance; and cannot too fully express my
obligations for the unvarying kindness and courteous manner in which
repeated, and perhaps often unseasonable, requests for aid have been
received and granted.
My acknowledgments are also due to Hon. JOSEPH BRECK, author of "Book of
Flowers," and late President of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society;
to CHARLES M. HOVEY, Esq., editor of "The Magazine of Horticulture," and
President of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society; to P. B. HOVEY,
Esq., nurseryman and seedsman, of Cambridge, Mass.; and to DANIEL T.
CURTIS, Esq., seedsman and florist, and for many years Chairman of the
Committee on Vegetables of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society.
For information or other very acceptable assistance, I am also indebted
to Rev. CALVIN LINCOLN, of Hingham; Rev. JOHN L. RUSSELL, of Salem,
Mass.; JOHN A. BUTLER, Esq., of Chelsea, Mass.; EDWARD S. RAND, Jun.,
Esq., of Boston; Mr. AUSTIN BRONSON, of Enfield, N.H.; GEORGE W. PRATT,
Esq., of Boston; JOHN M. IVES, Esq., of Salem, Mass.; Mr. JAMES SCOTT,
of Hatfield, Mass.; Mr. ALONZO CRAFTS, of Whately, Mass.; Mr. JOHN C.
HOVEY, of Cambridge, Mass.; Mr. ISAAC P. RAND, of Dorchester, Mass.; Mr.
GEORGE EVERETT, of Concord, Mass.; and CALEB BATES, of Kingston, Mass.
From a work entitled "Descriptions des Plantes Potagères, par VILMORIN,
ANDRIEUX, et CIE., Paris;" from CHARLES M'INTOSH'S excellent "Book of
the Garden;" the "Gardener's Assistant," by ROBERT THOMPSON; "Rogers's
Vegetable Cultivator;" and "Lawson's Agriculturist's Manual,"--I have
made liberal extracts; and lest, in the course of the volume, any
omission of authority may occur where it should have been accredited, my
indebtedness to the valuable publications above mentioned is here
candidly confessed.
In adapting directions for cultivation, prepared for one climate, or
section of country, to suit that of another quite dissimilar, so much
alteration of the original text has at times been found necessary, that
I have not felt at liberty to affix the name of the original writer, but
have simply added the usual marks denoting derivation of authority.
ABBREVIATIONS AND AUTHORITIES.
_Big._--Plants of Boston and Vicinity. By JACOB BIGELOW, M.D. Boston,
1840.
_Bon. Jard._--Le Bon Jardinier pour l'Année 1859. Par A. BOITEAU et M.
VILMORIN.
_Corb._--The American Gardener. By WILLIAM CORBETT. Concord, Boston, and
New York, 1842.
_Cot. Gard._--The Cottage Gardener. By GEORGE W. JOHNSON and ROBERT
HOGG. Weekly. London.
_Count. Gent._--The Country Gentleman. By LUTHER TUCKER and SON. Weekly.
Albany, N.Y.
_De Cand._--The Candolle's Systema Naturale. By Prof. DE CANDOLLE. 2
vols. 8vo. Paris, 1818, 1821.
_Down._--The Fruit and Fruit-trees of America. By A. J. DOWNING. Revised
and corrected by CHARLES DOWNING, 1858.
_Gard. Chron._--The Gardener's Chronicle. Weekly. By Prof. LINDLEY. 1844
to the present time.
_Gray._--Manual of the Botany of the Northern United States. By Prof.
ASA GRAY. New York, 1857.
_Hort._--The Horticulturist, and Journal of Art and Rural Taste.
Monthly. By P. BARRY and J. JAY SMITH. Philadelphia.
_Hov. Mag._--The Magazine of Horticulture, Botany, and Rural Affairs. By
C. M. HOVEY. Boston. Monthly. 1834 to the present time.
_Law._--The Agriculturist's Manual. By PETER LAWSON and SON. Edinburgh,
1836.
_Lind._--A Guide to the Orchard and Kitchen Garden. By GEORGE LINDLEY.
London, 1831.
_Loud._--Encyclopædia of Gardening. By J. C. LOUDON. London, 1850.
_Loud._--Encyclopædia of Agriculture. By J. C. LOUDON. London, 1844.
_Low._--The Elements of Practical Agriculture. By DAVID LOW. London,
1843.
_M'Int._--The Book of the Garden. By CHARLES M'INTOSH. 2 vols. Edinburgh
and London, 1855.
_Mill._--The Gardener's and Botanist's Dictionary. By PHILIP MILLER.
Revised by Prof. MARTYN. London, 1819.
_Neill._--Neill's Journal of a Horticultural Tour, &c. 8vo. Edinburgh,
1823.
_New Am. Cyclopædia._--New American Cyclopædia. D. APPLETON & Co., New
York. 16 vols. royal 8vo. 1857 to 1863.
_Rog._--The Vegetable Cultivator. By JOHN ROGERS. London, 1851.
_Thomp._--The Gardener's Assistant. By ROBERT THOMPSON.
_Trans._--The Transactions of the London Horticultural Society.
Commenced 1815, and continued at intervals to the present time.
_Vil._--Description des Plantes Potagères. Par VILMORIN, ANDRIEUX, et
CIE. Paris, 1856.
* * * * *
CONTENTS.
CHAP. I.--_Esculent Roots._
The Beet. Carrot. Chervil, Turnip-rooted. Chinese Potato, or
Japanese Yam. Chufa, or Earth Almond. German Rampion. Jerusalem
Artichoke. Kohl Rabi. Oxalis, Tuberous. Oxalis, Deppe's.
Parsnip. Potato. Radish. Rampion. Swede or Ruta-baga Turnip.
Salsify, or Oyster Plant. Scolymus. Scorzonera. Skirret.
Sweet Potato. Tuberous-rooted Chickling Vetch. Tuberous-rooted
Tropæolum. Turnip. 1-121
CHAP. II.--_Alliaceous Plants._
The Cive. Garlic. Leek. Onion. Rocambole. Shallot. Welsh
Onion. 122-148
CHAP. III.--_Asparaginous Plants._
The Artichoke. Asparagus. Cardoon. Hop. Oosung. Phytolacca.
149-169
CHAP. IV.--_Cucurbitaceous Plants._
The Cucumber. Egyptian Cucumber. Globe Cucumber. Gourd, or
Calabash. The Melon. Musk-melon. Persian Melons. Water-melon.
Papanjay, or Sponge Cucumber. Prickly-fruited Gherkin.
Pumpkin. Snake Cucumber. Squash. 170-228
CHAP. V.--_Brassicaceous Plants._
Borecole, or Kale. Broccoli. Brussels Sprouts. Cabbage. Cauliflower.
Colewort. Couve Tronchuda, or Portugal Cabbage. Pak-Chöi. Pe-Tsai,
or Chinese Cabbage. Savoy. Sea-kale. 229-286
CHAP. VI.--_Spinaceous Plants._
Amaranthus. Black Nightshade. Leaf-beet, or Swiss Chard. Malabar
Nightshade. Nettle. New-Zealand Spinach. Orach. Patience Dock.
Quinoa. Sea-beet. Shepherd's Purse. Sorrel. Spinach. Wild or
Perennial Spinach. 287-314
CHAP. VII.--_Salad Plants._
Alexanders. Brook-lime. Buckshorn Plantain. Burnet. Caterpillar.
Celery. Celeriac, or Turnip-rooted Celery. Chervil. Chiccory, or
Succory. Corchorus. Corn Salad. Cress, or Peppergrass. Cuckoo
Flower. Dandelion. Endive. Horse-radish. Lettuce. Madras
Radish. Mallow, Curled-leaf. Mustard. Nasturtium. Garden
Picridium. Purslain. Rape. Roquette, or Rocket. Samphire.
Scurvy-grass. Snails. Sweet-scented Chervil, or Sweet Cicely.
Tarragon. Valeriana. Water-cress. Winter-cress, or Yellow Rocket.
Wood-sorrel. Worms. 315-405
CHAP. VIII.--_Oleraceous Plants._
Angelica. Anise. Balm. Basil. Borage. Caraway. Clary. Coriander.
Costmary. Cumin. Dill. Fennel. Lavender. Lovage.
Marigold. Marjoram. Nigella. Parsley. Peppermint. Rosemary.
Sage. Savory. Spearmint. Tansy. Thyme. 406-449
CHAP. IX.--_Leguminous Plants._
American Garden-bean. Asparagus-bean. Lima Bean. Scarlet-runner.
Sieva. Chick-pea. Chickling Vetch. English Bean. Lentil. Lupine.
Pea. Pea-nut. Vetch, or Tare. Winged Pea. 450-560
CHAP. X.--_Medicinal Plants._
Bene-plant. Camomile. Coltsfoot. Elecampane. Hoarhound. Hyssop.
Licorice. Pennyroyal. Poppy. Palmate-leaved or Turkey Rhubarb.
Rue. Saffron. Southernwood. Wormwood. 561-578
CHAP. XI.--_Mushrooms, or Esculent Fungi._
Agaricus. Boletus. Clavaria. Morchella, or Morel. Tuber,
or Truffle. 579-591
CHAP. XII.--_Miscellaneous Vegetables._
Alkekengi, or Ground Cherry. Corn. Egg-plant. Martynia. Oil
Radish. Okra, or Gumbo. Pepper. Rhubarb, or Pie-plant. Sunflower.
Tobacco. Tomato. 592-652
INDEX 655
FIELD AND GARDEN VEGETABLES.
CHAPTER I.
ESCULENT ROOTS.
The Beet. Carrot. Chervil, Turnip-rooted. Chinese Potato, or Japanese
Yam. Chufa, or Earth Almond. German Rampion. Jerusalem Artichoke. Kohl
Rabi. Oxalis, Tuberous. Oxalis, Deppes. Parsnip. Potato. Radish.
Rampion. Swede, or Ruta-baga Turnip. Salsify, or Oyster Plant. Scolymus.
Scorzonera. Skirret. Sweet Potato. Tuberous-rooted Chickling Vetch.
Tuberous-rooted Tropæolum. Turnip.
THE BEET.
Beta vulgaris.
The Common Beet, sometimes termed the Red Beet, is a half-hardy biennial
plant; and is cultivated for its large, succulent, sweet, and tender
roots. These attain their full size during the first year, but will not
survive the winter in the open ground. The seed is produced the second
year; after the ripening of which, the plant perishes.
When fully developed, the beet-plant rises about four feet in height,
with an angular, channelled stem; long, slender branches; and large,
oblong, smooth, thick, and fleshy leaves. The flowers are small, green,
and are either sessile, or produced on very short peduncles. The
calyxes, before maturity, are soft and fleshy; when ripe, hard and
wood-like in texture. These calyxes, which are formed in small, united,
rounded groups, or clusters, are of a brownish color, and about
one-fourth of an inch in diameter; the size, however, as well as depth
of color, varying, to some extent, in the different varieties. Each of
these clusters of dried calyxes contains from two to four of the true
seeds, which are quite small, smooth, kidney-shaped, and of a deep
reddish-brown color.
These dried clusters, or groups, are usually recognized as the seeds;
about fifteen hundred of which will weigh one ounce. They retain their
vitality from seven to ten years.
_Soil and Fertilizers._--The soil best adapted to the beet is a deep,
light, well-enriched, sandy loam. When grown on thin, gravelly soil, the
roots are generally tough and fibrous; and when cultivated in cold, wet,
clayey localities, they are often coarse, watery, and insipid, worthless
for the table, and comparatively of little value for agricultural
purposes.
A well-digested compost, formed of barnyard manure, loam and salt, makes
the best fertilizer. Where this is not to be obtained, guano,
superphosphate of lime, or bone-dust, may be employed advantageously as
a substitute. Wood-ashes, raked or harrowed in just previous to sowing
the seed, make an excellent surface-dressing, as they not only prevent
the depredations of insects, but give strength and vigor to the young
plants. The application of coarse, undigested, strawy manure, tends to
the production of forked and misshapen roots, and should be avoided.
_Propagation and Culture._--Beets are always raised from seed. For early
use, sowings are sometimes made in November; but the general practice is
to sow the seed in April, as soon as the frost is out of the ground, or
as soon as the soil can be worked. For use in autumn, the seed should be
sown about the middle or 20th of May; and, for the winter supply, from
the first to the middle of June. Lay out the ground in beds five or six
feet in width, and of a length proportionate to the supply required;
spade or fork the soil deeply and thoroughly over; rake the surface
smooth and even; and draw the drills across the bed, fourteen inches
apart, and about an inch and a half in depth. Sow the seeds thickly
enough to secure a plant for every two or three inches, and cover to the
depth of the drills. Should the weather be warm and wet, the young
plants will appear in seven or eight days. When they are two inches in
height, they should be thinned to five or six inches apart; extracting
the weaker, and filling vacant spaces by transplanting. The surplus
plants will be found an excellent substitute for spinach, if cooked and
served in like manner. The afterculture consists simply in keeping the
plants free from weeds, and the earth in the spaces between the rows
loose and open by frequent hoeings.
Mr. Thompson states that "the drills for the smaller varieties should be
about sixteen inches apart, and the plants should be thinned out to nine
inches apart in the rows. The large sorts may have eighteen inches
between the rows, but still not more than nine inches from plant to
plant in the row. When large-sized roots are desired, the rows may be
eighteen inches or two feet apart, and the plants twelve or fifteen
inches distant from each other in the rows. But large roots are not the
best for the table; and it is better to have two medium-sized roots,
grown at nine inches apart, than one of perhaps double the size from
twice the space. As a square foot of ground should afford plenty of
nourishment to produce a root large enough for the table, the area for
each plant may, therefore, be limited to that extent. If the rows are
sixteen inches apart, and the plants thinned to nine inches in the row,
each plant will have a space equal to a square foot. Such, of course,
would also be the case if the rows were twelve inches apart, and the
plants the same distance from each other in the row. But it is
preferable to allow a greater space between the rows than between the
plants in the row: for, by this arrangement, the leaves have better
scope to grow to each side, and the plants so situated grow better than
those which have an equal but rather limited space in all directions;
whilst the ground can also be more easily stirred, and kept clean."
_Taking the Crop._--Roots, from the first sowings, will be ready for use
early in July; from which time, until October, the table may be supplied
directly from the garden. They should be drawn as fast as they attain a
size fit for use; which will allow more time and space for the
development of those remaining.
For winter use, the roots must be taken up before the occurrence of
heavy frosts, as severe cold not only greatly impairs their quality, but
causes them to decay at the crown. Remove the leaves, being careful not
to cut or bruise the crown; spread the roots in the sun a few hours to
dry; pack them in sand or earth slightly moist; and place in the cellar,
out of reach of frost, for the winter.
"The London market-gardeners winter their beets in large sheds, stored
in moderately damp mould, and banked up with straw. Mr. Cuthill states
that it is a mistake to pack them in dry sand or earth for the winter;
and that the same may be said of parsnips, carrots, salsify, scorzonera,
and similar roots.
"The object here is, that the moist soil may not draw the natural sap
out of the roots so readily as dry sand would do; and hence they retain
their fresh, plump appearance, and their tenderness and color are better
preserved. In taking up the roots, the greatest care must be exercised
that they are neither cut, broken, wounded on the skin, nor any of the
fibres removed; and, when the small-leaved varieties are grown, few, if
SOURCES & PROVENANCE
1 listed
This page is an AI-organised index. The label means the grouping and cross-links were compiled with AI; the information itself comes from the public-domain books, reports and manuals listed below. Open any source to read the local copy or follow the link to the original publication.
Full text in the local archive
Bibliographic record from the archive catalogue.