162 The Profitable Culture of Vegetables. 



be, it should be well worked a full spit deep, in good tilth, and 



free from recent dressings of manure. 



For an early supply of Beet, or where the grower does a 

 private trade, one of the turnip-rooted varieties should be tried, 

 especially if the soil is of a very strong nature. These are 

 excellent in every way, but up to the present do not seem to be 

 very popular in the markets. 



Seed should be sown at the end of April or in the first week 

 of May (or on strong land in the second or third week of May). 

 Sow thinly, in drills 2in. deep and 15in. apart. Thin out early 

 to 4in. apart, and a few weeks later to Sin. apart ; the young 

 roots removed at the second thinning can be disposed of for 

 salads, and thus add to the profit of the 

 crop. Throughout the summer the 

 ground should be kept clean and the 

 surface soil loose by frequent hoeing. 



The roots should be lifted during a 

 spell of dry weather in October. Great 

 care must be taken to avoid damaging 

 them in any way or they will be spoiled. 

 To this end, if the soil is not light 

 enough to permit them to be drawn by 

 the tops, a trench should be thrown out 

 close alongside one row, and then by 

 using a spade behind the roots but well 

 away from them, the soil may easily be 

 loosened and the roots lifted without 

 injury. The leaves should be removed 

 by twisting in preference to cutting. They may be stored in an 

 ordinary clamp in the same way as potatoes are stored, that is, 

 they should be laid on a dry bottom in a round or oblong heap, 

 about 4ft. through at the base, then covered with straw and 

 the straw in turn covered with about 4in. of earth. Or they 

 may be stored in dry earth or sand in a shed. Wherever the 

 storing is done it is essential that the place be dry and cool, as 

 damp may cause decay and warmth will induce growth. 



Manures : It is important that freshly manured ground 

 should be avoided, though the soil should be in good heart by 

 having been manured for the preceding crop. In most cases 



Copyright, V.A.&Co. 



Dell's Dark Crimson 

 Dwarf Beet. 



