MANGO FISH, Polynemus parculiseus, a fish which inhabits the bay of Bengal, and ascends the Ganges and other rivers to a considerable distance. It is accounted one of the most delicious fishes of India, but is particularly esteemed when salted and pre pared in a peculiar manner, when it bears the name of burtah. The name mango fish is given to this fish from its beautiful yellow color, resembling that of a ripe mango. Another Indian name is tupsee. lt is of a perch-like form, and belongs to a genus for merly referred to the perch family (pereida), but now the type of a distinct family (poly n,enada), having the ventral fins behind the pectorals, although partially attached to the bones of the shoulder, and the lower rays of the pectorals extended into threads, which in the mango fishes are twice the length of the body. The mango fish is seldom more than 8 or 9 in. in length. The genus polynemus contains a number of species of tropical fishes, the air-bladders of some of which arc of importance as isinglass; those of P. Indi cus, a fish sot-Iv:times 20 lbs. weight, and other species, forming a, considerable article of export from Singapore, under the name of fish-maws.
(Ger. beet-root), or 2rIANGOLD (Ger. beet), a name in general use in l3ritain and America, to designate the varieties of the common beet (q.v.) cultivated in fields for the feeding of cattle. By mistake the name was at first written mangel-wurzel, and this erroneous form is still sometimes used. The field-beets differ from the garden-beets chiefly in being larger in all their parts, and coarser. They have large roots, which in some of the varieties are red, in some greenish or whitish, in some carrot-shaped, and in some nearly globular. The cultivation of mangold-wurzel as a field-crop was intro duced into England in 1786, but it is only of late that it has much extended. At first, so little was its value known, that the leaves alone were used as food for cattle. Its hnportance, however, was soon appreciated, and it rapidly gained favor. It is much more patient of a high temperature than the turnip, liable to fewer diseases, and vastly more productive under liberal treatment. In the island of Jersey, and in highly manured grounds in the vicinity of London, as much as from 70 to 80 tons to the acre have been raised. Throughout the south of England it is generally admitted that it is as easy to grow 30 tons of tnangold-wurzel to thc acre as 20 tons of Swedish turnips. The lower temperature of Scotland, however, does not admit of the crop being raised to the same advantage. The yield is much smaller than in the south, and the plants are more liable to run to tlower. This seems to be owing to the cold contracting the vessels, and in some
measure acting in the same manner as a diminished supply of food in favoring the for mation of seed. The increased precariousness of the turnip-crop of late years, however, has induced many to make trial of the cultivation of tnangold-wurzel, and with consid erable success. The mode of culture does not vary materially from that followed in Scotland in raising turnips. The land in which tbe crop is to be planted receives a deep furrow in autumn; and if it is quite free from perennial weeds, it is often previously well !Imputed. Drills or ridges, from 20 to 30 in. wide, are formed in spring by the doubled-molded plow; and if manure has not been applied in autumn, from 20 to 80 loads are spread along the furrows. In addition, from 3 to 4 cwts. of guano, and 4 cwts. of ammonia salt, are sown broadcast over the drills; indeed, this crop can rarely be over-manured. The manures are then covered by the plow, and the riciges are after wards run over with a light roller, to smooth them down. Two or three seeds are then dibbled in on tile tops of the ridges, from 1 ft. to ft. apart. It requires about 7 lbs. of seed to the acre; and as the grains are inclosed in a hard and rough coat, they may be moistened in water for two days previous to their being planted, for the purpose of promoting a quick and regular braird. The long red, the round red, and the round green-topped yellow are all favorite varieties in England. As soon as the plants aro about 3 in. above ground, they are singled out by the hand, and their cultivation is aftemards the same in all respects as in the case of Swedish turnips. The crop is usually ready to be taken up by the end of October; indeed, it should not be delayed beyond this period, for, being a native of the warm coasts of the Mediterranean, it is injured by severe frost. The leaves are wrenched off by the hand, and the earth is merely roughly taken away from the roots, as they do not keep well through the winter if cut or bruised. The roots are stored in pits or clamps, covered with straw and a little earth, as a protec tion in severe weather. It is some time after storing before the roots can be used with advantage; for in autumn and the early part of winter, its juices being unripened, have a laxative effect on animals. Swedish turnips are at this season preferred for feeding; but the harshness of the mangold-wurzel wears off by swing, and it then becomes an excellent food for stock of ail kinds, and if well kept, retains its juiciness till the mid dle of summer.