BEET. 45 



other, and cover them with earth. When the plants are up 

 strong, thin them to the distance of six or eight inches from 

 each other in the rows. The ground should be afterward 

 hoed deep round the plants, and kept free from weeds. 



If the planting of Beet seed, for general crops, be delayed 

 until May or June, the roots will be much larger and better 

 than those from earlier planting, which, from being frequently 

 stunted in growth by the various changes of weather, become 

 tough, stringy, and of unhandsome shape. In case of the 

 failure of crops, or of unfavourable weather in June, Beet 

 seed planted the first week in July will sometimes produce 

 large, handsome roots, which may be preserved for winter use. 



The most suitable ground for Beets is that which has been 

 well manured for previous crops, and requires no fresh ma- 

 nure, provided it be well pulverized. * 



It is always best to thin Beets while young. If the tops 

 are used as a vegetable, they should not be left too long for 

 this purpose, or they will greatly injure the roots of those 

 that are to stand. Beds that are to stand through the sum- 

 mer, should be kept clean by repeated hoeings ; and the roots 

 intended for winter use should be taken up in October, or 

 early in November, and stowed away, as directed in the 

 calendar for those months. 



Allowing Beet seed to be planted on the gardening plan, 

 it will require at the rate of ten pounds for an acre of land, 

 which is two pounds and a half for a rood, and one ounce 

 for every perch, pole, or rod. If cultivated on the field sys- 

 tem, that is, by planting them a sufficient distance apart to 

 admit of ploughing between each row, one half the quantity 

 of seed will be sufficient, or even less, if sown regular. If 

 it be an object with the cultivator to save his seed, he may 

 drop some in each spot where a plant is required, and thin 

 them as before directed. 



It may be necessary to add, that one pound of Beet seed 

 will measure about two quarts, and as each capsule contains 

 four or five small seed, thinning out the surplus plants is in- 

 dispensable to the production of good roots. 



