208 CALIFORNIA VEGETABLES. 



ered from three-quarters of an inch to two inches, accord- 

 ing as the soil is heavy and moist or light and dry. In late 

 planting the seed must go down to moisture, and there is 

 then little danger of rain compacting the covering. As 

 for time of planting, it may be done any time when the 

 soil is moist and warm, but never when it is cold or wet. 

 Seed may be spaced an inch in the drill approximately, but 

 while still small the plants should be thinned to six or 

 eight inches. The sooner this is done after the plants have 

 reached a height of three or four inches the better. It is 

 quite a common practice to allow the rows to grow thickly 

 until the thinnings are large enough for greens. The prac- 

 tice injures the surviving beets, for they never reach quite 

 the development they would if they had never been 

 crowded, but with some the gain of the greens is a com- 

 pensation. 



Varieties. The garden beets popular in California for 

 table use are all of the round or flat shapes, and all of red 

 color. 



The Eclipse, an old favorite, is still of wide popularity. 

 It is early and of good quality, and symmetrical, round 

 form. 



The Extra Early Egyptian is of flat, turnip shape, very 

 deep color, early, tender and fine. 



Morse's Improved Blood Turnip, especially selected for 

 style and quality, deep red, green tops. 



Crosby's Egyptian, of flatter form than Early Egyptian, 

 good for early use, but maintains tenderness well as it gets 

 larger size, very bright clear red flesh. 



Edmunds' Blood Turnip is another favorite market va- 

 riety, round and smooth, deep color and good quality. 



Early Blood Turnip is also largely grown. It is round, 

 good form and quality. 



Long Smooth Blood is an old standard variety for those 

 who like beets for slicing. It roots deeply and stands 

 drought well. 



