406 
To save Seed. —Sow in an open situation a 
row, or part of a row, according to the quantity 
required, and thin out the plants to a foot apart, 
preserving only those which appear the finest 
and true to the variety. Give protection from 
frost in winter, and secure their stems in the 
following season from breaking by the wind. 
Instead of sowing to raise plants for bearing 
seeds, a few roots of the finest of the main crop 
may be taken up and replanted in spring. Seed 
should never be saved from any plants which 
run to flower in the year of sowing. 
Forcing.—Beet-root will not bear hard forcing, 
but, if wanted in April or early in May, the 
attempt should be made to forward some under 
glass. The Egyptian or Turnip-rooted (fig. 
1160) is the best for this purpose. Sow the 
seeds thinly in pans or boxes late in January, 
and place in gentle heat to germinate. Before 
the plants become drawn and weakly, set them | 
on a shelf near the glass in a temperature of 
about 60° by day and 50° by night. By the 
time two or three lights are cleared of forced 
Potatoes, these, without much further prepara- 
tion, could be utilized for Beet. Failing these, 
form a very mild solid hot-bed, and cover with 
6 inches of fresh loamy soil. Make the soil quite 
firm, a loose root-run promoting the growth of 
leaves rather than of roots. Prick out the plants 
when 4 inches high, 6 inches apart, in rows 
12 inches or rather less apart. Water with 
tepid water to fix them, and see that they are 
never dry at the roots afterwards. Keep them 
rather close for a time, and mat over the lights 
every night. When well established, ventilate 
rather freely, and on mild sunny days remove 
the lights for a few hours. In this way some 
very tender roots will be fit to draw for use 
when about 2 inches in diameter. Beet may 
also be forwarded considerably in rough frames, 
with or without bottom-heat, and a few short 
rows might be planted out on a sunny border, 
with every likelihood of their doing good ser- 
Vice. 
II. LeEAF-BEET (Beta Cicla) is a hardy bien- 
nial, a native of the sea-coasts of Spain and 
Portugal. It is cultivated for the leaves and 
leaf-stalks, but chiefly for the latter; for, as re- 
gards the roots, they are hard, much divided, and 
unfit for cooking. The thin part of the leaves is 
sometimes put into soups, together with sorrel, 
the acidity of which it corrects; the stalks and 
midribs, when peeled, are usually boiled and 
served up in the same way as Asparagus or Sea- 
kale, and they are sometimes stewed with sauce. 
The varieties are: Green or Spinach-leaved (fig. 
THE GARDENER’S ASSISTANT. 
1157), White or Silver, Yellow-stalked, Red-stalked, 
Curled. 
Of these the first-named is the most service- 
able; the Red-stalked and Yellow-stalked are 
very beautiful, owing to their bright colours. 
Fig. 1157.—Leaf-Beet—Green or Spinach-leaved. 
The leaves of the fifth sort are curled like those 
of a Savoy, and have broad white midribs. 
Any good garden soil will suit the Leat-beet. 
The seed should be steeped and sown in drills 
18 inches apart and 14 inch deep; in March 
for autumn and winter use, and again in August 
for a spring supply. When the plants are a few 
inches high, so that those likely to make the 
best growth can be distinguished, they should 
be thinned out to 9 inches or a foot apart, 
according to the richness of the soil, more room 
being allowed in rich ground. Some, however, 
should be left to fill any vacancies that may 
occur. The ground should be kept clean, and 
occasionally stirred between the rows, taking 
care not to injure the roots. In dry weather 
plenty of water should be given to promote the 
succulence of the leaves. When sown in autumn, 
the plants should be protected with litter during 
very severe weather. The outside leaves should 
be the first cut for use; the others will come in 
for succession. At their best they are but a poor 
substitute for Winter Spinach. 
Insects, &c.—See chapter on this subject. 
Leaf Enemies.—Beet Carrion Beetle, Beet Fly, 
Silver Y-Moth, Turnip Fly. oot Enemies.— 
Daddy Long-legs, Dart Moths, Pot Herb Moth. 
The principal garden varieties are:— 
Cheltenham Green-Top.—Leaves green, roots 6 inches 
in circumference, with a conical crown; flesh bright-red, 
of excellent flavour. 
Dell's Crimson (fig. 1158).—Leaves rich dark glossy- 
crimson, of uniform medium height, compact and slightly 
