158 MAKING HORTICULTURE PAY 



inches high the seedlings should be thinned so the 

 plants are not closer than 4 inches apart; for the 

 larger kinds and slower growing sorts 6 inches is 

 better. The thinnings need not be destroyed, because 

 they make excellent greens. Planted and cared for in 

 this way the crop of early varieties should be ready 

 in about 60 days. Successional sowings may be 

 made at intervals of ten days or two weeks, but 

 usually for home use different varieties are used, 

 so as to do all the planting at once. The beets will 

 remain in good condition for weeks and those that 

 are not used up during the summer may be stored 

 for winter. 



Beets may be easily forced by sowing the 'quick- 

 maturing kinds in hotbeds during February or 

 March. There they may be left to mature or can 

 be transplanted while still small. They do best 

 without transplanting. During late fall the beets 

 should be pulled and their tops twisted off. They 

 are not injured by light frosts and frequently are 

 greatly improved by being allowed to remain in 

 the ground until rather late. They may be easily 

 kept in a cold cellar. Generally, however, it is best 

 to store them in pits outside, as they are apt to 

 become dry and corky if the air is not sufficiently 

 moist in the cellar. Among the well-known and 

 highly appreciated varieties are the Eclipse, Egyp- 

 tian, Bastian's Early Turnip, all of which are early 

 varieties, and Dewing's Improved Blood Turnip, 

 which is a good late variety. There are also long- 

 rooted varieties, which, however, are not as popular 

 as before the turnip-shaped kinds were perfected. 



BRUSSELS SPROUTS 



Anyone who can grow cabbage can grow Brus- 

 sels sprouts. Everyone who likes cabbage will 



