54 FARM-GARDENING AND SEED-GROWING. 



removed from the ground, as this is the best and most 

 convenient time. Handle carefully and avoid bruising. 



The pitting, covering, etc., are the same as for marketings 

 The roots for seed-raising should be set out as soon as all 

 danger of heavy frost is past, usually about the first of 

 May. Beets, to produce prime seed abundantly, require 

 rich land, and that which has been manured for a number 

 of years is preferable to highly manuring the season of 

 planting. When the ground is not already rich, apply 

 manure or fertilizers as directed in preparing for the crop 

 of roots. Plow and harrow thoroughly ; mark out fur- 

 rows three feet apart, and set the roots one and a half to 

 two feet apart in the rows, covering the whole to the 

 crown. The round varieties can be set by making a hole 

 with a dibble at the bottom of the furrow, into which the 

 tap-root (or tail, as it is erroneously termed) must be 

 placed, and the earth pressed to it by means of the dibble. 

 The long varieties require the use of a crowbar for open- 

 ing a hole, the dibble being used to fasten the earth about 

 the root. Care must be exercised in handling not to 

 break off or destroy the young sprouts, which will have 

 formed while the roots have been stored. It is a good 

 plan to plant every fifth row with potatoes, over which to 

 walk when gathering the seed, which requires cutting two 

 or three times, and by this method two rows can be 

 reached from either side, and cut with greater ease, with 

 less loss from stripping out, than when grown in a solid 

 body. Keep free from weeds until the plants have at- 

 tained a hight of about two feet, when the ridging plow 

 may be used and the earth drawn to the roots with a hoe. 

 After this, in consequence of the plants shading the 

 ground, there will be but little chance for the weeds to 

 grow, and the earth being over the roots, and against the 

 stalks, is a great protection against breaking down by 

 wind or storm. 



Where but a few roots are set out to obtain seed for 



