TUE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE.. 
109 
SELECT GARDEN BEETS. 
BY MESSES. BABB AND 8UGDEN, 
12, King Street, Covent Garden, W.C. 
OR some years past we have paid a very considerable 
amount of attention to garden beets, and have grown 
side by side in our experimental grounds all the varieties, 
reputed or otherwise, that could be obtained. By this 
means we have succeeded in reducing the list of varieties 
very considerably ; for some sorts were of an inferior character, 
whilst others were simply synonymes of the best types in general cul- 
tivation. Even now there are more varieties than are required for any 
one garden ; but, as tastes differ with regard to colour and flavour, 
it is necessary to retain a considerable number of really distinct 
varieties. With regard to the cultivation of garden beet, a very 
few words will suffice to convey all that the amateur will require to 
know upon the subject. The soil must be in a nicely pulverized 
state when the seed is sown, and be also moderately rich ; but it is 
not desirable that it should be recently manured, as the presence of 
fresh manure has a tendency to develop coarseness in the roots. 
Soils liberally manured and lightly cropped the previous season are 
perhaps the best for this crop ; and next to this, preference may 
be given to soils manured last autumn. In either case, the best 
results may be expected from soil that was thrown up in ridges last 
autumn, and which has thus been fully exposed to the action of the 
weather during the winter. In sowing the seed, no better plan for 
private gardens can be devised than that of laying the ground out in 
beds four feet in width, and sowing throe rows on each — one down 
the centre, and the others eighteen inches right and left of the 
middle row. Sow in April, and when the plants are well up, com- 
mence thinning out, so as to guard against the possibility of any 
injury resulting from overcrowding. The plants at the final thinning 
should be about nine or twelve inches apart, according as the 
variety may be of small or large growth ; but it is not prudent to 
thin them to the full distance at first, for there is a possibility of 
some of the plants being injured when in a young state; but, by 
thinning according to the progress made by the crop, the danger of 
having blanks in the rows will be reduced to the lowest possible 
minimum. 
The varieties which can be the most highly recommended for 
their general excellence are as under ; and the amateur must select 
from the list according as he may require a large or small root, 
or a purple or crimson-fleshed variety. 
Covent Garden Dancer's Selection (^Lohjoit), purple flesh; re- 
commended. 
CattelVs Dwarf Purple Top, purple flesh ; a good useful variety 
for those who prefer largish roots. 
Dewar's Improved Short Top, crimson flesh ; handsome short- 
necked roots. 
April. 
