78 TheGaeden. 



cold weather — or at tlie South thej may remain in the ground 

 all winter. 



4. The Beet — Beta Vulgaris. 



The beet (Fr, Beterave) is a native of the south of Europe. 

 It takes its name from the form of its seed-vessel, which resem- 

 bles the Greek letter l)eta (/3). The best varieties are Extra 

 Early Turnip or Bassano, the Early Turnip, the Long Blood, 

 and the London Blood. 



A light soil, well enriched with manure and well broken up, 

 suits the beet. It will grow in almost any soil. Sow in drills 

 a foot apart and about an inch deep. Drop the seeds three 

 inches apart, cover smoothly, and press the earth firmly upon 

 them. Eadishes may be sown in the same bed, as they wiU 

 be removed before the beets are ready for thinning. Keep 

 the ground weU stirred and free from weeds, and thin the 

 beets to about six inches apart. Sow the early sorts in March, 

 or the first of April, in the latitude of New York. The later 

 varieties may be sowed in May or June. 



In gathering your beets, cut off the leaves an inch or two 

 above the collar, and be careful not to break or bruise the root. 

 To preserve them through the winter, store in a dry ceUar. 

 They keep best packed in sand. 



5. The Oareot — Daucus Carota. 



The carrot (Fr. Garotte) is supposed to have been introduced 

 into Europe from the island of Crete. The Early Horn is the 

 most forward in ripening, and fully equal in color and flavor to 

 any other sort. ' It may be sown from the middle of April to 

 the middle of July in the latitude of New York, and in the 

 South from January to April inclusive. The Long Orange 

 grows very long and large, but is not equal in flavor to the 

 Early Horn. The Altringham is a bright-red variety, of an 

 excellent flavor, and keeps well for winter use. It is not quite 

 so hardy as the otlier sorts. 



The carrot succeeds best in a ligbt, rich soil. It must be 

 deeply dug and well broken up, or the roots will grow forked 



