250) SCHOOL AND HOME GARDENS 
in eight weeks. The half-long and the long are used for 
the main crop. They grow larger than the turnip varie- 
ties and are better adapted to the dry season durmg the 
stunmer. 
Soil. Beets do best in a light, rich soil. The surface 
soil must be in good condition for the early varieties. 
The late ones must have a well-cultivated, rich soil at 
least six Inches deep. 
Sowing. Beets are hardy; they may be sown as early 
as the ground can be worked in the spring. The seeds 
will come up sooner if soaked overnight. In the spring 
sow them about one inch apart and cover to a depth 
of one inch; In summer, when the ground is drier, the 
seeds should he covered to a depth of two inches. For 
a succession, sow early varieties every two weeks until 
the first of June. 
Sow the main crop early in May. The summer vari- 
eties require four or five months to mature. 
Thinning. What is commonly known asa beet seed is 
a fruit which contains several true seeds. The clumps 
that come up must be thinned so that the beets will 
stand from three to six inches apart, depending upon 
the variety. The plants discarded in thinning make 
excellent greens. 
Transplanting. Plant what the farmers call thinnings 
in any part of the row where seeds have failed to come 
up. Transplant when about five inches high. Remove 
at least half the leaves, water thoroughly, and shade 
the plants for two or three days. 
