BETA VULGARIS 



2-49 



years ago. The seed is planted about September first, and the 

 plants are allowed to remain unthinned so that they develop tap 

 roots about Yi to 13=-^ inches in diameter by the time cold weather 

 stops further development. Early in March, the plants begin to 

 produce seed stalks; by the latter part of June, these have reached 



Fig. ii8. A, general habic of inflorescences; E, flower, showing arrangement of floral 

 parts ; C, longisection through floral axis showing relation of parts ; D, single inflorescence 

 showing axillary position of sessile flowers. 



a height of from 4 to 8 feet, depending upon soil fertility, and bear 

 clusters of seed-containing fruits. This method requires a climate 

 characterized by winters warm enough to allow the plants to live 

 over without injury, but cold enough to cause the physiological 

 changes which are necessary to throw the plant from the vegetative 

 into the reproductive phase of its cycle. Such conditions exist 

 in southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and southern Utah 



