RED BEET

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1040, 2 August 1930, Page 28

RED BEET

The best beetroots are grown on soils which are deep, light and rich from the residue of manure which has been dug in for a previous crop. When grown on heavy soil, they are inclined to become rank in growth and lacking in flavour. Beetroot may be grown on ground which has been well manured for peas or beans. Dig iu deeply and work in a good dressing of wood ashes or kainit, at the rate of two ounces a square yard. When the surface is sufficiency dry, tread over the plot to consolidate it slightly and break up the large lumps. Rake it first, from top to bottom, then from side to side to remove all large stones and to make a fine tilth. Make drills 1 Inch deep and 12 Inches apart, and sow the seeds in groups of three at six inches apart. Much thinning will be avoided in this way and the seedlings will not be so liable to become drawn, through overcrowding. When the seedlings have developed their first foliage leaves, thin them out, retaining those with the darkest leaves, to one In each group, and give a dressing of sulphate of ammonia between the rows, at the rate of Joz a square yard. This chemical should be afterward hoed in, so that it will quickly dissolve and assist In the development of the roots. Once the plants have been started vigorously Into growth, no further stimulants should be given, as too much nitrogen is apt to cause the development of coarse growth. On heavy soils exhibition roots may be obtained by boring deep holes with a crowbar and filling them with fine sifted compost. Two or three seeds should be sown at each prepared spot and subsequently thinned out to one. The variety blood red is still preeminent for general cultivation or exhibition. where a tap-rooted kind is required. Sutton’s Globe, a turniprooted variety, is best sown for early use. The plants may be thinned out as soon as large enough and used for salads during the summer.