250 SCHOOL AND HOME GARDENS 



in eight weeks. The half-long and the long are used for 

 the main crop. They grow larger than the turnip varie- 

 ties and are better adapted to the dry season during the 

 summer. 



Soil. Beets do best in a light, rich soil. The surface 

 soil must be in good condition for the early varieties. 

 The late ones must have a well-cultivated, rich soil at 

 least six inches deep. 



Sowing. Beets are hardy ; they may be sown as early 

 as the ground can be worked in the spring. The seeds 

 will come up sooner if soaked overnight. In the spring 

 sow them about one inch apart and cover to a depth 

 of one inch ; in summer, when the ground is drier, the 

 seeds should be covered to a depth of two inches. For 

 a succession, sow early varieties every two weeks until 

 the first of June. 



Sow the main crop early in May. The summer vari- 

 eties require four or five months to mature. 



Thinning. AVhat is commonly known as a beet seed is 

 a fruit which contains several true seeds. The clumps 

 that come up must be thinned so that the beets will 

 stand from three to six inches apart, depending upon 

 the variety. The plants discarded in thinning make 

 excellent greens. 



Transplanting. Plant what the farmers call thinnings 

 in any part of the row where seeds have failed to come 

 up. Transplant when about five inches high. Remove 

 at least half the leaves, water thoroughly, and shade 

 the plants for two or three days. 



