BEET. 
45 
other, and cover them with earth. When the plant 4 are up 
strong, thin them to the distance of six or eight inches fiom 
each other in the rows. Th-e ground should be afterward 
hoed deep round the plants, and kept free from weeds. 
If the planting of Beet seed, for general crops, be delayed 
until May or June, the roots will be much larger and bettei 
than those from earlier planting, which, from being frequently 
stunted in growth by the various changes of weather, become 
tough, strjigy, and of unhandsome shape. In case of the 
failure of crops, or of unfavourable weather in June, Beet 
seed planted the first week in July will sometimes produce 
large, handsome roots, which may be preserved for winter use. 
The most suitable ground for Beets is that which has been 
well manured for previous crops, and requires no fresh ma- 
nure, provided it be well pulverized. 
It is always best to thin Beets while young. If the tops 
aie used as a vegetable, they should not be left too long for 
this purpose, or they will greatly injure the roots of those 
that are to stand. Beds that are to stand through the sum- 
mer, should be kept clean by repeated hoeings ; and the roots 
intended for winter use should be taken up in October, or 
early in November, and stowed away, as directed in the 
calendar for those months. 
Allowing Beet seed to be planted on the gardening plan, 
it will require at the rate of ten pounds for an acre of land, 
which is two pounds and a half for a rood, and one ounce 
for every perch, pole, or rod. If cultivated on the field sys- 
tem, that is, by planting them a sufficient distance apart to 
admit of ploughing between each row, one half the quantity 
of seed will be sufficient, or even less, if sown regular. If 
it be an object with the cultivatoi to save his seed, he may 
drop some in each spot where a plant is required, and thin 
them as before directed. 
It may be necessary to add, that one pound of Beet seed 
will measure about two quarts, and as each capsule contains 
four or five small seed, thinning out the surplus plants is in 
dispensable to the production of good roots. 
