HOME VEGETABLE GARDENING 





SOIL AND CULTIVATION 



IN COLD, wet, heavy soils of a clayey nature, seeds 

 should not be sown as early as in lighter, warmer soil. 

 Moreover, efforts should be made to lighten heavy soils 

 by adding large quantities of sand, ashes, strawy manure, 

 or humus. The best roots are grown in muck or sandy 

 loam. 



The seedlings generally appear within ten days to two 

 weeks. As soon as they are three to four inches tall, thin 

 them out to stand four inches apart in the row. Those 

 that are pulled up are easily transplanted as shown on 

 preceding page. Slightly trim tops and roots and put 

 seedlings four inches apart in rows, immediately after a 

 rain or after thoroughly watering bottom of row. 



Beets appreciate frequent and thorough hoeing. Hav- 

 ing long tap-roots, the plants appreciate deep tillage, like 

 most root crops. To enjoy their choicest quality, roots 

 should be eaten as soon as they average two inches in 

 diameter. 



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