44 THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES 



the middle of May, they will give an extra-early crop. 

 Or they may be left in the ground, well mulched, and 

 will bear a mild winter. Plants raised from seed bear 

 a heavier crop, but the roots yield earlier. 



Pole culture is like that of kidney beans. 



Row culture consists in setting the roots, or sowing 

 the seed, in rows four feet apart. Thin to one foot 

 apart in the row, and train on strong brush, wire, or 

 trellises. Pinch back the ends of the vines. 



The roots of the Scarlet Runner are poisonous. 



BEET. Beets (Beta vulgaris) are biennials, grown 

 as annuals for their tops (as "greens'") and for their 

 thickened roots. They are hardy to frost and of easy 

 culture. They divide into classes according to color 

 (red or yellow), but practically as to shape into the old 

 long Beet and the turnip-shaped Beet. The long Beet 

 requires the whole season for its growth; the turnip 

 Beet matures in two months or less. For Chard, which 

 is botanically a Beet, see under its name. Of foliage 

 Beets, usually grown for ornament, some may be used 

 as vegetables. Pests are few; scab is the most serious 

 disease. 



Soil should be rich and moderately light for turnip 

 Beets. For the long Beets it should also be deep and 

 not recently manured, and well pulverized. 



Distances. Drills may be as close together as a 

 foot; the seed should be scattered thinly. These seeds 



