CHAPTER VI 



BEETS 



For the best development of garden beets, 

 a cool, rich situation is needed. Such a loca- 

 tion is found in muck soils. 



Varieties. The same varieties that are 

 common to garden soil are useful on muck.. 

 Extra early production is generally not pos- 

 sible, as muck is not as early as some other 

 soils. Crosby Egyptian and Eclipse are 

 good early sorts for muck. Edmunds and 

 Detroit for the main crop seem to give the 

 best satisfaction. 



Preparing. The land may be plowed or 

 disced for this crop, followed by being har- 

 rowed with a spike-tooth or some other type 

 of a smoothing harrow. The planker should 

 be used after harrowing, leaving the muck 

 smooth and level and somewhat compacted. 



Planting. The seed is sown in drills, us- 

 ing from 5 to 7 pounds of seed to the acre. 

 The rows are generally 12 inches apart for 

 man working, or where horse culture is to be 



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