No. 4.] ROOT CROPS. 141 



It is a common practice to start beets in the hotbed or greenhouse, 

 and to set the plants in the field. In this way the grower gets his 

 crop into an earlier market, where it usually commands a higher 

 price, and he is able to clear his land for a second crop at an early 

 date. For plants to set in the field beet seed is sown under glass 

 about the last of February, in rows about 2 inches apart. The plants 

 are grown to a height of from 4 to 6 inches, when they are ready 

 to set in the field. This usually occurs about April 15, and the 

 harvest commences about June 1. 



The price received per dozen bunches for beets varies greatly. It 

 is often $1 per dozen for the first in the market and frequently drops 

 to 25 cents per dozen later in the season; the average is about 40 

 cents. 



Winter beets are planted from June 20 to the middle of July. 

 It is possible in a favorable season on rich land, to get a crop fit 

 for storing when planted as late as August 1, but this is unusual. 

 The seeding and tillage of the winter crop are practically the same 

 as already described. Detroit Dark Red is a good variety for this 

 crop. The beets should be harvested before freezing weather occurs, 

 but moderate frosts do them no injury, provided the grotind is well 

 covered with foliage. It is the general practice to top the beets in 

 the field, care being taken not to cut the beets so close that they will 

 bleed. A yield of from 200 to 400 bushels per acre is usual. These 

 roots are stored in a vegetable cellar or temporary pit, as seems most 

 desirable. It is necessary that they be accessible during the winter 

 months. The essential conditions in the root pit are, (1) tempera- 

 ture close to fi'eezing, but always above; (2) damp atmosphere; 

 (3) some ventilation; (4) good drainage. In order that the roots 

 may keep well they must be cool when put away and not piled too 

 deep. 



Beets have very few serious insect enemies. The spinach leaf 

 maggot often injures the leaves for a time, and there seems to be 

 no remedy for this pest. Cut worms are likely to be injurious when 

 the plants are small. The use of poison bait made of bran, molasses 

 and arsenate of lead, scattered on the ground where the seedlings 

 are coming up, is as effective as anything in controlling this pest; 

 late fall plowing will also help. Beets should not be planted on land 

 where scabby potatoes have been gi-own, for they will be affected 

 by the scab and their appearance considerably injured. 



The tillage, fertilization and general care of carrots are similar 

 to those of beets. Carrots are never transplanted, and they are 

 usually thinned to a less distance in the row, as already stated. The 

 same manuring and fertilizing recommended for beets will give satis- 

 factory results with carrots. The harvesting season commences some- 

 what later, usually from July 1 to 10. The market i;ses bimched 

 carrots throughout the summer season, although in late summer 



