Burpee’s TABLE BEETS 
Burpee’s Red Ball, Detroit Dark Red and Crosby’s Egyptian are 
universally popular. Spinach Beet (Swiss Chard) is grown exten- 
sively for the use of its tops as “‘greens’’ and its mid-ribs or leaf- 
stalks as asparagus; we offer the best varieties on page 103. 
Beets are easily grown and are delicious as baby beets when 
roots are half grown, or they may be used from then on until they 
reach their full size. Tops are highly palatable when cooked as 
“‘greens’’ or young beets with their tops may be cooked together. 
Burpee’s Red Ball—the outstanding round beet for all purposes 
121 Burpee’s Red Ball ©—zxcetient 
60 days. Remarkable for its uniform shape, deep colored flesh, and 
sweet flavor. The roots are globe-shaped, growing to 3 in. in diameter, 
with smooth, deep red skin and medium-small tap-root. Flesh is tasty, 
extremely dark red, free from woody fiber, and under good growing 
conditions, is practically free from lighter colored zones. Quality is 
always the finest. Its intense dark red color especially fits it for table 
use. For a market where dark red colored flesh is a primary require- 
ment, for canning, freezing or any commercial use, Red Ball is highly 
recommended. Medium tall, red and green, erect growing foliage tops. 
Pkt. 15¢; oz. 45¢; 14 lb. $1.25; 14 lb. $2.25; Ib. $3.75 
115a Detroit Dark Red, Short Top © 
60 days Widely used round beet for main-crop and fall use whether for table, 
canning or freezing. Tops average about 3 in. shorter than those of the regular 
strain, making it suitable for growing on muck or for any use where large tops 
are not necessary or desirable. Roots are also slightly smaller and more globular, 
Skin is dark red; flesh is uniform deep red with the zones so inconspicuous that 
the flesh, when cooked, seems to be one solid ball of deep blood-red; always 
sweet and tender. Smaller tops allow beets to stand closer together in the row. 
Pkt. 15¢; oz. 40¢; %4%4b.95¢; 1% Ib. $1.65; Ib. $2.85 
115 Detroit Dark Red, Medium Top 
59 days. Beets are perfectly round with deep red skin. They reach 2% to 3 in. 
in’size and have a small collar and a thin tap-root. The flesh is very dark blood- 
red, showing hardly any zones. It is tender, fine grained, exceptionally sweet. 
Medium size foliage makes it popular with housewives wanting plenty of ‘‘tops”’ 
for use as “‘greens.’” Roots are slightly larger than the short top strain offered 
above. Splendid for the home garden, market, shipping, freezing and canning. 
Pkt. 10¢; oz. 35¢; 1% Ib. 85¢; 1% lb. $1.50; Ib. $2.50 
How to Grow Beets 
Sow seeds as early in the spring as the ground can be worked. For a 
continuous supply make additional sowings when the preceding planting 
is up and growing; allow plenty of time for the last sowing to mature before 
frost. Space rows 1% to 2 ft. apart and cover seed with % in. of fine soil. 
A rich, sandy loam, mellow and deep, produces the best shaped and 
smoothest roots. Thin plants to stand 2 to 3 in. apart in the row. The later 
sowings will produce the best beets for winter storing. Dig the roots with 
the approach of cold weather and keep in a cool cellar, packing them in 
slightly moist earth until ready to use throughout the winter months. 
A pkt. of seed will sow 25 ft. of row; one oz. 100 ft. 
68 .= W. ATLEE BURPEE CO., Seed Growers and Breeders 
Burpee White Beet —NEW for 1952 
130 Burpee White— Distinct 
60 days. The sweetest of all table beets. Roots 
are white, top-shaped to nearly round, with a 
fairly heavy tap root. Occasionally the roots 
have a slight pink tint on the shoulders. This 
coloring is only on the skin, and does not run 
into the interior flesh, which is pure white, 
tender, firm, crisp, and entirely without fibers. 
The quality is excellent, being similar to but 
sweeter than any red table beet we have ever 
tasted. Tops are large and vigorous, of a shiny, 
medium green color; excellent for “‘greens.’’ 
Pkt. 25¢; 2 pkts. 45¢; oz. 60¢; 14 lb. $1.75 
125 Early Wonder— Popular 
55 days. Semi-globe-shaped, about 3 in. across, with 
medium size tops and a thin tap-root. Dark red skin 
and deep red flesh with slightly lighter zones. Garden- 
ers like this very early beet; its smooth skin and uni- 
form shape commend it-to everyone. Popular for can- 
ning whole or sliced as well as for pickling. Pkt. 15¢; 
oz. 40¢; %%41b.90¢; 1% Ib. $1.65; Ib. $2.85 
