218 Gardening 
all winter and used as desired. Proper plantings in the 
northern states will supply the table throughout the 
summer and give roots for storage. 
The seeds are planted about 1 inch deep in rows that 
are from to to 18 inches apart. What is ordinarily 
called a seed of the beet is really a cluster of tiny seeds, 
several of which may germinate into plantlets that crowd 
one another. Thinning may be delayed, however, until 
the young plants are 3 or 4 inches tall, when they may 
be used for greens. In thinning, care should be exercised 
so that the plants left standing are not rudely disturbed ; 
it is often a good plan to cut off the plants to be removed 
rather than to pull them. 
Very young plants removed in thinning may be trans- 
planted to fill out any vacant-places in the rows. Plants 
may be left 1 inch apart at the first thinning, and later 
every other plant may be removed for use as greens, 
leaving the others well spaced for more mature develop- 
ment. 
The Detroit Dark Red is a variety widely grown as a 
main and late crop for storage. The roots are globular 
and about 3 inches in diameter. About one third of the 
root grows above ground, and this part is often tough and 
cordy. The New Century (also called Rajah, Winter 
Keeper, Green Top, and All Season) is a rather new 
variety that promises to be valuable for autumn crops. 
CARROTS 
Carrots have practically the same planting dates, heat 
requirements, and length of growing season as beets. 
