20 THE CULTURE OF VEGETABLES 



June and July, for late supplies are everywhere valued, and may be 

 insured in plenty, subject only to the caprices of the autumnal 

 weather. The rows of Runners are often injuriously close, and the 

 total crop is thereby diminished. The single rows should be at least 

 five feet apart ; and double rows, allowing nine inches between the 

 two rows, should be six or eight feet apart. It will always pay to give 

 support by stakes or trellises, because of the increased production ; 

 but Runner Beans make a good return when kept low by tipping, and 

 without any support whatever. When so grown, they should in the 

 height of the season be tipped once or twice a week to keep them within 

 bounds. The preservation of the roots of Runners is sometimes 

 recommended. We can only say it is a ridiculous proceeding, for 

 the utmost care is required to keep the roots through the winter, and 

 they are comparatively worthless in the end. A pint of seed will 

 give a better crop than a thousand roots that have cost great pains 

 for their preservation. 



GARDEN BEET 



(Beta vulgaris] 



As a food plant the Beet scarcely obtains the attention it deserves. 

 There is no lack of appreciation of its beauty for purposes of gar- 

 nishing, or of its flavour as a component of a salad ; but other uses 

 to which it is amenable for the comfort and sustenance of man are, 

 in a great degree, neglected. As a simple dish to accompany cold 

 meats the Beet is most acceptable. Dressed with vinegar and white 

 pepper, it is at once appetising, nutritive, and digestible. Served as 

 fritters, it is preferred by many to Mushrooms, as it then resembles 

 them in flavour, and is more easy of digestion. It makes a first-rate 

 pickle, and as an agent in colouring it has its value, because of the 

 perfect wholesomeness of the rich crimson hue it is capable of im- 

 parting to any article of food requiring it. 



The cultivation of the Beet is of the most simple nature, but a 

 certain amount of care is requisite for the production of a handsome 

 and profitable crop. It will make a fair return to the cultivator in 

 any soil that is properly prepared for it ; but to grow it to perfection 

 a light loam is necessary, and this, though rich, should contain no 

 traces of any recent or strong manure. A rank soil, or one to which 

 manure has been added shortly before sowing the seed, will produce 



