BEET. 63 



When the plants are three or four inches high, they should 

 be thinned out to six inches apart. As each capsule con- 

 tains five or six seeds, as many plants will come up from 

 each, thus making several plants have the appearance of 

 one. It is therefore necessary to carefully thin out each 

 little group to one plant, as otherwise they will interfere 

 with and choke each other. This thinning out should be 

 done when the plants are quite young. If any vacancies 

 occur in the bed, dibble in some of the plants drawn out, 

 being careful not to break the tips of the roots. During 

 their growth they require to be frequently hoed and to be 

 kept clear of weeds. 



The general crop of long-rooted varieties should be sown 

 about the end of May, or during June, as the plants will 

 then have a free, unchecked growth, which prevents the 

 roots becoming tough or stringy through being stunted. 

 Even if sown as late as the first week in July, they will fre- 

 quently produce good roots in the autumn. The rows 

 should be from eighteen inches to two feet apart, and the 

 plants eight or ten inches apart on the row. The after 

 culture consists in keeping them well hoed and free from 

 weeds. 



A dozen or more varieties may be found in the seed 

 catalogues, but the following three, all things considered, 

 are the best : 



Egyptian Turnip-rooted ; this is the earliest variety; it 

 has small upright leaves j the roots are of a deep crimson 

 color, and well flavored. 



Early Short Top Round; is an improvement on the 

 Early Blood Turnip-rooted; it is shorter in the leaves, 

 more free from rootlets, and flatter in shape. 



Long Smooth Blood; is earlier than the common blood, 

 is not so strong a grower, and more free from rootlets. 



