86 VEGETABLE GAEDENING. 



digging, apply lime if necessary ; and in spring give 

 an application of potash and a nitrogenous fertiliser, 

 raking them into the surface soil : 2 Ibs. muriate or 

 sulphate of potash, and 1J Ibs. sulphate of ammonia 

 to 30 square yards. This crop also responds to a 

 dressing of common salt, applied at the rate of about 

 2 Ibs. to 30 square yards in early spring. 



When to Sow. There are two forms of beet- 

 root: the turnip-rooted and the tapering-rooted. 

 The latter is the best for main-crop purposes and 

 for storing; but the turnip-rooted kind grows more 

 quickly, and a quantity of this may be sown for use 

 in summer and early autumn before the main crop 

 has reached maturity. For this purpose seed may 

 be sown early in April, and the roots pulled as re- 

 quired for use from the time they become large 

 enough ; they should not be allowed to stand late 

 into the autumn, or they will turn coarse, and a 

 number would probably run to seed. This kind of 

 beet may also be sown as an inter-crop between the 

 rows of peas and other crops. The main crop of 

 tapering beet should be sown towards the end of 

 April, but in some districts the beginning of May is 

 found to be soon enough. 



How to Sow. The so-called seed of this vegetable 

 is in reality a fruit with a very hard husk containing 

 a number of seeds, each one therefore being capable 

 of producing a number of plants, and which accounts 

 for beet seedlings usually appearing in small clusters. 

 The seed retains its germinating power for about six 

 years, and many growers prefer two year old seed 

 to one year old, claiming that it gives better results. 

 Owing to the thickness and hardness of the husk, 



