permaculture

[Ute Bohnsack <sustag@tinet.ie>]

Dear all [apologies for cross-posting],

I am looking for info on 'mangel' or 'mangel-wurzel'. Reading agricultural
census material from my region (North Clare, Ireland)dating to the first half 
of
the last century, I came across Mangel. At the time I thought it was the same
plant as the German 'Mangold' (Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris var. cicla L.). It
obviously isn't, because I got hold of some seeds and grew it this year. I
reckon it's one of the wonderfully versatile Beta vulgaris varieties but which
one? It's definetely a Chenopodiaceae. Could it possibly be B. vulgaris ssp.
vulg. var. rapacea (syn. crassa), i.e. the fodder beet?
I checked the WWW and Mangel is listed sometimes as Mangold, sometimes as 
sugar
beet, sometimes as beetroot, neither of which it is as far as I can tell. The
foliage looks much like 'Mangold' but the root is quite large, about 1/2 of 
the
root showing above the ground and orange-yellow on the outside. I've asked 
some
older people here, but nobody knows anymore. Classic case of old agricultural
knowledge disappearing within a few generations...

I am also interested to find out about its properties, it's probably a good
fodder plant. Can the root be used as winter fodder supplement for goats? (If 
I
find an old turnip-grinder that is.) What would be the typical nutritional
value? 

Most grateful for any information.

Ute


-- 
Ute Bohnsack
Sailchearnach
Clogher
Kilfenora
Co. Clare
Ireland