BEETS, TURNIPS, AND CARROTS 194 



in one that is too dry. A northern exposure which is shaded 

 part of the day will serve very well, and a situation in which 

 a thorough soaking may be given through the growing season 

 will be advantageous. In the preparation of the bed it is 

 desirable that the soil be taken out to a depth of eighteen 

 inches and the bottom be filled with a thoroughly mixed 

 compost on top of which good garden loam is to be placed. 

 If the bed is in a low situation, where water will stand to soak 

 in without running off, it 

 will be a very simple mat- 

 ter to apply the water. If 

 it is not in such a situa- 

 tion it will be worth while 

 to arrange for subirriga- 



Plan for Subirrigation. 



tion by a series of two- 



or three-inch drain tile placed in a trench in the way shown 

 in the diagram. With this arrangement it is only necessary 

 to run water from a hose into the upright tile and let the 

 stream pour slowly in until the bed is thoroughly saturated. 

 This arrangement will tend to draw the roots downward, 

 where they are least likely to suffer during dry weather. 



The irises are commonly planted both in late summer and 

 in early spring. In the former case they should be protected 

 by a mulch of loose litter through the winter, although the 

 German Iris is so hardy that it will survive with no cover. 



BEETS, TURNIPS, AND CARROTS 



The beet is one of the most satisfactory of garden vege- 

 tables, provided one has a deep, rich, moist, loamy soil to 

 grow it in. In poor, sandy soils it dries out quickly. 

 Beets are likely to disappoint the expectations of the gardener 



