ROOTS. 181 



THE BEET (Beta). 



There are but two varieties of the beet in general use for 

 the field, the Sugar beet and Mangold-wurzel, both of 

 which have several sub-varieties. They are of various 

 colors, red, pink, yellow, white or mottled, but color does 

 not seem to affect their quality. The conditions under 

 which they grow are similar. Beets do well in any soil of 

 sufficient depth and fertility, but they are perhaps, most par- 

 tial to a strong loam. If well tilled, they will produce large 

 crops on a tenacious clay. We have raised at the rate of 

 800 bushels per acre, on a stiff clay, which had been well 

 supplied with unfermented manure. The soil, cannot be 

 made too rich ; and for such as are adhesive, fresh or un- 

 fermented manures are much the best. 



The planting should be in drills, 20 to 24 inches asunder, 

 at the rate of four to six pounds of seed per acre, buried not 

 over an inch deep. The seed should be early planted, or as 

 soon as vegetation will proceed rapidly ; but it must first be 

 soaked, by pouring soft, scalding water on it, allowing it to 

 cool to blood heat, and remain for one or two days, then 

 roll in plaster and drill it in. The husk of the seed is thick 

 .and scarcely pervious to moisture, and without previous tho- 

 rough saturation the seed will not readily germinate. 



The culture is similar to that of carrots and parsneps. 

 They should be thinned to a distance of about eight inches, 

 and all vacancies filled with strong thrifty plants. It is bet- 

 ter to sow thick enough to avoid the necessity of transplant- 

 ing, for in addition to the time and expense of this operation, 

 the new plants will not thrive as well as those which grow 

 in their ranks from the seed. The above distances are suit- 

 able for the sugar beet. The mangold-wurzel attains a larger 

 size, and the spaces may be increased. The practice of 

 plucking off the leaves for cattle-feeding, is objectionable, as 

 it materially interferes with the growth of the plants. 

 Scarcely any disease or enemy troubles it, except when 

 young. It is then sometimes, though rarely, attacked by 

 grubs or small insects. 



Harvesting may be commenced soon after the first leaves 

 turn yellow, and before the frosts have injured them. The 

 tops must not be too closely trimmed, nor the crown of the 

 roots or its fibrous prongs cut from such as are destined for 

 late keeping. If intended for early winter use, they may be 

 abridged a trifle, and after the surface is dry, stored like other 



