THE BEET. 189 



The time for sowing, however, ranges from March 

 until May, and even June. 



CARE IN CULTIVATION. 



Great care should be taken to remove all grass and 

 noxious weeds, which may obstruct the growth and 

 materially diminish the product. Every cleanli- 

 ness must be observed, during the whole process of 

 growing the beet. They should be stirred with the 

 hoe three times. The first time when they have 

 three or four leaves ; the second, a month after ; and 

 the third a month after the second. It is no matter 

 yvhether there are weeds or not, the hoe should be 

 used to loosen the surface of the soil, and give air to 

 the fine fibres which rise towards the surface. Never 

 use the hoe after a rain, but do the matter judicious- 

 ly, and a heavy crop is inevitable. One thing should 

 be particularly observed ; whenever any of the 

 plants become unhealthy, they should be taken up, 

 and should any show a tendency to go to seed, cut 

 the stalks off. Never tear off any of the leaves of 

 the healthy beet, for every leaf taken away is a cer- 

 tain quantity of sugar lost. The above should be re- 

 ligiously observed by the cultivator. 



TAKING UP THE BEET. 



The proper time, for taking up beets, may be known 

 by the changing of the leaves from a bright green and 

 red colour, to a brownish yellow, and when they 



