BEETS. 



137 



ground. This method may be improved by heavily mulching the 

 plants so as to keep out the frost in winter. The roots are some- 

 times lifted in autumn, planted close together in a deep cold 

 frame and covered with leaves to keep out frost. In March the 

 leaves are removed and the sashes put on. This method has the 

 advantage of using the sashes to the best advantage, but roots 

 that are dug and then forced are worthless for further planting. 

 In order to increase the length of the stalks it is a common 

 practice where but a small amount is grown to put headless bar- 

 rels over each plant in the spring when the leaves are starting 

 into growth, and in striving to reach the light the leaf stalks 

 naturally grow long and tender. An old sash laid over the bar- 

 rel is an improvement on this method. , 



Varieties. — There are several varieties, but the following 

 kinds are the most highly esteemed: 



iVIyatt's Linneus. — An early sort having deep green stalks 

 and attaining to a large size. 



IVIyatt's Victoria. — A much later kind than the preceding. 

 Stalks red, very thick and large. 



THE GOOSEFOOT FAMILY. (Order Chenopodiaceae.) 

 The Goosefoot Family includes chiefly homely herbs, with in- 

 conspicuous greenish flowers. The ovary is one-celled and one- 

 seeded. Leaves chiefly alternate. Besides the beet, mangel wurt- 

 zel, Swiss chard and spinach, whose cultural directions are here 

 given, it Includes such weeds as Russian thistle, goosefoot and 

 lamb's quarter or pigweed. 



BEET. (Beta Vulgaris.) 



Native of Europe. — Biennial. — This plant in the first year of 

 its growth forms a fleshy root, and goes to seed the second year. 

 The seed stalk is about four feet high. What is usually sold 

 and planted as beet seed is in reality a fruit and is made up 

 of several seeds imbedded in corn-like calyxes; the seed itself 

 is very small and kidney-shaped, with a thin brown skin. The 

 roots vary greatly in form and size and in color from a reddish 

 white to a deep dark red. Some varieties have special quali- 

 ties for table use, while others are valuable for feeding stock 

 or for sugar only. 



The garden beet is easily grown and is a very reliable crop. 



