,
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extent, superseded it in the vegetable garden; rather, it would seem, on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 the quality of the
roots.

The seed may be sown from the middle of April to the last of May. If
sown in drills, they should be at least eighteen inches apart, and the
plants should be thinned to ten inches in the drills. If sown on ridges