134 TRUCK-FARMING AT THE SOUTH. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



BEET (Beta vulgaris). 



Bettarave, French ; Rothe-Riibe, German ; JBiet or Kroot, Dutch ; Barba 

 Biettola, Italian ; Bettarage, Spanish. 



The Beet is a biennial, tap-rooted plant, with some- 

 what fleshy leaves; it is a native of the sea coast of 

 Southern Europe, and has been cultivated in England 

 since 1656. 



It is only within the past year or two, that the beet 

 has been grown for shipment to any extent south of 

 Norfolk, although it has for many years been one of the 

 regular Bermuda crops. Next to the cabbage, this is 

 one of the most extensively and profitably cultivated 

 vegetables at the North, and it is probably destined to 

 stand high in the estimation of the truck-farmer. 



VARIETIES. 



The turnip-rooted varieties are the earliest and best to 

 grow at the South, and of these the "Egyptian " or " Red 

 Egyptian Turnip" stands first, notwithstanding the 

 seed is higher in price than any other sort. The " Early 

 Blood Turnip" is next in value. The "Bassano" is the 

 earliest variety, but objectionable in consequence of its 

 turning a light color in boiling. 



SOIL AND SOWING. 



Beets, like the ruta-baga, may be sown for local mar- 

 kets in September and October; but in consequence of 

 sudden changes of weather, success at this season is 

 doubtful. Heavy rains and hot baking suns, whether 

 the seed be up or not, may destroy a sowing. Although 

 hardy, freezing will kill very young beets, and the 



