56 Southern Oardener^s Practical Manual 



After the bank is completed in this way, cover with a 

 foot of soil and lay some boards over the bank. If the 

 tops are not cut below the bud, growth will take place 

 and injure the quality of the roots. 



If desired to save seed, store some of the best roots 

 with the tops cut above the bud. Transplant these in 

 spring and support the seed -stalks to prevent falling 

 over from the weight of the seed. These need not be 

 planted in very fertile soil, since the growth of the seed- 

 stalk only utilizes the substance stored in the mother 

 beet the previous year and does not draw upon the soil 

 for food. The beet is a biennial plant which stores in 

 the root the first year the food necessary for the produc- 

 tion of the seed -stalk and the seed the second year. 



Swiss Chard, a variety of beet with coarse, small 

 roots but very large leaves and broad, succulent leaf- 

 stalks, is planted and cultivated as the ordinary beet; 

 but, since it is grown for its leaves, it requires a more 

 liberal application of nitrogen than the species grown 

 for its roots. The leaves and their stalks are larger, 

 thicker, broader and more tender than those of other 

 species. The leaves are prized for salad and the stalks 

 used as a substitute for asparagus. The plants may be 

 covered with sufficient straw to protect them from frost 

 and the stalks blanched for winter use. This species is 

 not appreciated as its merit deserves. 



The beet is practically free from insect enemies. In 

 some seasons and localities, the lightning- bag attacks 

 the leaves. It is subject to rust -rot and spot -disease of 

 the leaves and scab on the root, but none of these are 

 seriously destructive. 



