THE FIELD AND GARDEN VEGETABLES OF AMERICA
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; 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
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arlier than the Early Blood Turnip-rooted. The flesh, although much coarser than that of many other sorts, is tender, sweet, and of good quality. Roots from early sowings are, however
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generally distinguishable from each other. They will keep well two years; and if preserved from dampness, and placed in a cool situation, a large percentage will vegetate when three
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nding to citron-yellow at the centre or heart of the root; somewhat coarse in texture. Foliage rather large and vigorous. The White Belgian Carrot is remarkable for its productivenes
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ge size, and is only adapted for field culture; the flesh being too coarse and strong-flavored for table use. WHITE. _Thomp._ _Vil._ Bulb large,--when full grown, measuring seven o
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ned in an ounce, and they retain their germinative properties three years. The process is as follows: "Select some of the largest and best berries, or balls, when fully ripe, which i
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ariety originated near Manchester, Eng., about the year 1844; and appears to be a cross or hybrid between the Lapstone Kidney and Pink-eye. In this country, the variety has never rea
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ut the outside, when cleaned, is of a beautiful purple, though it appears black when first drawn from the earth; and the coat, when cut through, shows the purple very finely. The foot
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he common garden and field turnip, and will keep from five to eight years. _Varieties._--The varieties are as follow:-- ASHCROFT. Bulb of medium size, ovoid, very smooth and symme
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seeds are black, triangular, and retain their vitality two or three years,--twenty-three hundred are contained in an ounce. The plants rarely blossom in the Northern or Middle States
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flavor is in the outer rind. When used, it should not be peeled. It bears transplanting well; and may be set in rows one foot apart, and nine inches apart in the rows. WAITE'S HYBRI
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seeds are contained in an ounce; and they retain their vitality two years. _Soil, Sowing, and Cultivation._--The Leek is very hardy, and easily cultivated. It succeeds best in a ligh
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which serve as a substitute for seeds in propagation. The flesh is coarse; and the bulbs are very liable to decay during winter, unless kept in a cool and dry situation. The variety
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somewhat flattened, and retain their vitality five years. _Soil._--Select a light, rich, and rather moist soil, and trench it well; incorporating in the process a li
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red are contained in an ounce; and they retain their vitality seven years. _Soil, Propagation, and Culture._--The best soil for the Cardoon is a light and deep but not over-rich loam
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established variety; having been grown in England upwards of thirty years. Length fifteen inches. _Hunter's Prolific._--Length eighteen inches. Very crisp and excellent, but requires
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eds; and they retain their germinative properties from eight to ten years. _Varieties._--These are exceedingly numerous, in consequence of the great facility with which the various k
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duced, the variety was considered one of the best quality; but it appears to have in some degree deteriorated, and now compares unfavorably with many other sorts. PIE-MELON. Califo
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ken by the nail. After the fruit hardens, the flesh becomes watery, coarse, strong flavored, and unfit for table use. On account of the dwarfish character of the plants, the hills ma
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ored in a dry, warm situation. The flesh is sweet, though generally coarse-grained and watery. It is used in soups and stews, and also for pies; but is seldom served like squash at th
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nd mild-flavored when cooked. Its value for agricultural purposes appears to have been greatly overrated; for, when tried in this country against other varieties of cabbages, the prod
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WER BROCCOLI. _M'Int._ Grange's Early White. Hopwood's Early White. Marshall's Early White. Bath White. Invisible. This is an old variety, and, when pure, still stands in high estim
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bage was introduced into England from Flanders, more than a hundred years ago, by a private soldier named Telford, who was there many years in the reign of Queen Anne. On his return t
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Broccoli. This has been cultivated as a Broccoli for more than ten years; though originally introduced by the London Horticultural Society, under the name of Early Leyden Cauliflower
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ntained in an ounce; and they retain their germinative powers three years. "They are large and light, and, when sold in the market, are often old, or imperfectly formed; but their qua
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being contained in each. They retain their germinative powers five years. _Propagation and Culture._--It is always raised from seed, which may be sown in the open ground from April
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h, of a brownish color, and retain their germinative properties two years. An ounce contains nearly thirty thousand seeds. Of the Common Sorrel, there are five varieties, as follow:-
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ces before directed. In dry soil, the plants will continue for many years; requiring no further care than to be occasionally hoed, and kept free from weeds. It may also be propagated
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are many times divided, and are similar to those of the Common Plain Parsley; the flowers are small, white, and produced in umbels at the extremities of the branches; the seeds are bl
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e, rounded on the opposite, and retain their vegetating powers four years,--nearly thirty thousand are contained in an ounce. _Soil._--It succeeds best in moist, loamy soil; and shou
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in some obscure corner of the garden, where it may have existed for years; and is only visited when needed for the proprietor's table. The operation of hastily extracting a root or tw
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. Large India. Head large, moderately compact; leaves large, with coarse and hard mid-ribs and veins. Its recommendation is its remarkable adaptedness to summer culture; as it withs
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nches well; but the ribs and nerves of the leaves are comparatively coarse and hard. Well adapted to winter culture; but, as a summer lettuce, of little value. MONSTROUS BROWN COS.
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l, roundish, brown, or reddish-brown, and retain their vitality two years,--fifteen thousand are contained in an ounce. _Sowing and Cultivation._--The seed is sown thinly, in shallow
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n state, much resemble some descriptions of worms; and, like Caterpillars (_Scorpiurus_) and Snails (_Medicago_), are sometimes placed on dishes of salad to excite curiosity, or for p
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ut the plants as they become too thick, a bed may be continued many years. _Use._--The plant has a soft, agreeable odor, and is sometimes used as a pot-herb for flavoring soups. The
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and are contained in an ounce, and they retain their vitality three years. There is a species cultivated, the seeds of which are black. _Soil and Cultivation._--It is always raised f
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te small, of a deep-brownish color, and retain their vitality three years. It may be propagated from seeds or by dividing the roots; the latter method, however, being generally pract
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perceptible. The Newington Wonder of English and French authors appears to be, in some respects, distinct from the American variety. It is described as very dwarf, about a foot high
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ed. The large pods, if plucked early, are succulent and tender, but coarser in texture than those of many other sorts, and not so well flavored. The Case-knife, in its habit and gene
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ly give a degree of permanency to this difference in color; which appears to be the principal, if not the only, point of variation. MOTTLED LIMA. This, like the Green, is a sub-var
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m various experiments in the cultivation of both varieties, there appears to be little if any difference in their seasons of maturity. The color and form of the flower are the same as
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trifling and unimportant distinctions. From experiments made a few years since in the gardens of the London Horticultural Society, under the direction of Mr. Thompson, who planted no
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he pods will be suitable for plucking about the middle of July. It bears abundantly, but not in succession; and, for this reason, is much prized by market-gardeners. The most of the
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of the most valuable acquisitions which have been obtained for many years; being remarkably tender and sugary, and, in all respects, of first-rate excellence. The rapid progress of it
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ne, and be fit for the table from the middle of July. This variety bears some resemblance to Knight's Tall Marrow; but, like nearly all others, it is less sugary. Those who have a fa
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lmonary diseases. They are in their greatest perfection when of two years' growth. * * * * * HOARHOUND. Marrubium vulgare. Hoarhound is a hardy, her
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of the Common Wormwood, and retain their germinative properties two years. The plant is generally propagated by dividing the roots in the manner of other hardy shrubs. _Use._--The l
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h it is dried, and its extensive dissemination." It may be kept for years without losing any of its aroma or goodness. * * * * * BOLETUS. _Fries._ Of
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Stalk six feet or more in height; ears five or six inches long, an inch and a half in diameter, somewhat conical, broadest at the base, and tapering
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d, irregular in form, and retain their germinative properties three years. _Sowing and Cultivation._--The Martynia is of easy cultivation. As the plants are large and spreading, they
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anous at the corners, and retain their germinative properties three years. _Soil and Cultivation._--Rhubarb succeeds best in deep, somewhat retentive soil: the richer its condition,
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d use may be said to have increased fourfold within the last twenty years; and it is now so universally relished, that it is furnished to the table, in one form or another, through ev
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11. Large Toker, 510. Lisbon, 508. Long-podded, 508. Marshall's Early Dwarf Prolific, 508. Mumford, 511. Purple, 510. Red-blossomed, 509. Red Windsor,
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333. French, 333. Frisé, 333. Frizzled-leaved, 333. Parsnip, 31. Plain-leaved, 333. Sweet-scented, 399. Turnip-rooted, 31. Chiccory, 334. Brunswick
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Papangaye, 198. Papanjay, 198. Papaver somniferum, 569. Parsley, 430. Celery, 434. Celery-leaved, 434. Common, 433. Curled, 432. Dwarf Curled, 432.
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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
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