The Beet 



167 



seeds are sown, beets are likely to come up in little clumps, 

 and careful thinning is essential if the best results are to 

 be secured. Specially constructed seed-drills, or special 

 attachments, are necessary 

 for the proper sowing of 

 the rough uneven-sized 

 seeds of beets. Young 

 plants of beet are seen in 

 Fig. 78. 



Vegetable-gardeners now 

 chiefly know the early 

 turnip-rooted varieties. These 

 either as a spring or fall crop. 



Fruit clusters of beet (X 2) 



varieties may 

 They mature in two to 



be grown 



three months (60 to 90 days) and roots large enough for 

 bunching of some of the earliest varieties may be had in 

 six weeks to two months. 



The early turnip varieties of beet may be sown as soon as 

 the land can be worked in spring if one wishes to secure 

 an early crop. They may be followed by a later crop, as 

 celer}^, late potatoes, cabbage or cauliflower. In some 



cases, they are grown 

 ^ as a companion-crop in 

 the rows with a main- 

 season crop, as cab- 



78. Seedlings of garden beet (X about %). 



For very early 

 results, it is well to 

 sow the early varieties 

 in hotbeds, or cold- 

 frames. They may be allowed to mature in the frames, or 

 in special cases they may be transplanted into beds, al- 

 though transplanting . is rarely done, as it does not pay. 



