CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 



251 



crop. A few days' delay often makes a great difference 

 in market prices, and growers for local markets find that 

 it usually pays to dispose of the small beets as soon as 

 dealers will take them. 



The early beets are tied in bunches of three to ten, 

 depending upon size and market requirements (See Fig- 

 ure 64). Washing is usually clone after bunching. 

 Bunched beets are shipped from the South in cabbage 

 crates or other convenient, well-ventilated packages. 



When prices decline, beets 

 are sold in bulk, the tops be- 

 ing cut about an inch from 

 the crown and the roots 

 packed in baskets, boxes or 

 crates, and barrels. 



In sandy soils beets are 

 easily pulled by hand; in 

 heavy land a one-horse plow 

 can be used to advantage in 

 this work. 



The late crop may be 

 stored in various ways. 

 Burying is a popular method. 

 Cellars and pits are often 

 used, the roots being covered FIG. 64. BEETS BUNCHED 

 with moist sand or soil if the FOR MARKET 



air is dry. 



Yields and returns are variable. A yield of 300 to 400 

 bushels an acre is considered good for garden beets, 

 although larger crops have been harvested. Gross re- 

 ceipts range from $200 to $600 an acre. 



326. Insect enemies. Although about 200 species of 

 insects feed upon the beet, most of them are unimpor- 

 tant. Flea beetles are the most destructive pests. Bor- 

 deaux mixture is the best-known deterrent for these in- 



