HOME VEGETABLE GARDENING 
SOIL AND CULTIVATION 
I N COLD, wet, heavy soils of a clayey nature, seeds 
should not be sown as early as in lighter, warmer soil. 
Moreover, efforts should be made to lighten heavy soils 
by adding large quantities of sand, ashes, strawy manure, 
or humus. The best roots are grown in muck or sandy 
loam. 
The seedlings generally appear within ten days to two 
weeks. As soon as they are three to four inches tall, thin 
them out to stand four inches apart in the row. Those 
that are pulled up are easily transplanted as shown on 
preceding page. Slightly trim tops and roots and put 
seedlings four inches apart in rows, immediately after a 
rain or after thoroughly watering bottom of row. 
Beets appreciate frequent and thorough hoeing. Hav- 
ing long tap-roots, the plants appreciate deep tillage, like 
most root crops. To enjoy their choicest quality, roots 
should be eaten as soon as they average two inches in 
diameter. 
154 
