Occupations > Abercrombie's improved practical gardener; with a monthly calendar for the flower garden

80
RED BEET.
Propagation.
This plant delights in a dry, light, and rather
sandy loam, and that to a good depth. It is
always raised from seed, which should be sown
annually, in the last week in March or beginning
of April, and not earlier, as great part of the
plants would ran up to stalk and become useless.
The ground on which it is sown should be
manured and trenched the preceding year, rather
than at the time of sowing, as ground recently
manured is subject to canker the roots. The
ground should be trenched eighteen inches deep,
before sowing, for the long-rooted kinds. The
seed may either be sown broad-cast or in drills, a
foot apart. Plant the seeds with a dibble, about
an inch and a half deep, twelve inches apart, and
the same distance between the rows; drop three
or four seeds in each hole with a view to leave
only one to stand for a crop, and immediately
rake the ground even.
Subsequent Culture.
When the plants are come up about two inches
high they must be thinned out to about twelve
inches every way, which will allow them room to
rise to a good full size by autumn, at which time
they will be fit for use as wanted, and in continu¬
ance all winter and spring following. Always
make it a rule to “provide for a storm,” by
taking up a quantity, cutting off their tops, and
depositing the roots in sand, under Cover, for use,