CULTIVATION OF THE BEET. 123 



feet deep, five or six feet broad, and of the requisite 

 length. The beets are carefully laid side by side in 

 the trench, layer upon layer. Between each layer 

 just sufficient soil is spread to separate the rows of 

 beets. As soon as the trench is full, the beets are laid 

 so that the sides of the pile converge rapidly, assum 

 ing the form of an angular roof, the top of which is 

 three feet above the surface of the ground. Earth is 

 then put on to a thickness of eight inches, which is 

 to be increased as the weather becomes colder. 



As early in the following spring as the soil is in 

 suitable condition, a piece of land, sheltered from the 

 wind, and that was deeply ploughed in fall, is se 

 lected for the plantation of the seed-beets. Land 

 should be selected for this purpose which is as dis 

 tant as possible from other beets, in order to prevent 

 the plants, when in flower, from being " crossed" by 

 other varieties. 



Deep furrow's are made three feet apart, and holes 

 are dug two feet apart in the furrows, of ample size 

 for the reception of the root ; the earth in each hole 

 is made mellow with the spade, and two handfuls 

 of bone-dust are incorporated with the soil. The 

 beets are placed perpendicularly in the holes, without 

 being bent, and the earth gradually put in and pressed 

 about them with the hand. The crowns must be kept 

 just below the surface. After the roots have been set 

 out, and the earth thoroughly pressed against them 

 with the foot, the ground must be dressed with the 

 hoe, and one inch of earth, with a handful of bone- 

 dust, placed on the crown of each plant, to protect it 

 from frosts. 



