==Preparation of Ground==.—­The cultivation of Beet is of the most simple nature, but a certain amount of care is requisite for the production of a handsome and profitable crop.  Beet will make a fair return on any soil that is properly prepared for it; but to grow this root to perfection a rich light loam is necessary, free from any trace of recent or strong manure.  A rank soil, or one to which manure has been added shortly before sowing the seed, will produce ugly roots, some coarse with overgrowth, others forked and therefore of little value, and others, perhaps, cankered and worthless.  The soil should be well prepared by deep digging some time before making up the seed-bed, and it is sound practice to grow Beet on plots that have been heavily manured in the previous year for Cauliflower, Celery, or any other crop requiring good cultivation.  If the soil from an old Melon or Cucumber bed can be spared, it may be spread over the land and dug in, and the piece should be broken up in good time to become mellow before the seed is sown.  Seaweed is a capital manure for Beet, especially if laid at the bottom of the trench when preparing the ground.  A moderate dressing of salt may be added with advantage, as the Beet is a seaside plant.

==Early Crops==.—­Where frames are not available for providing early supplies of Beetroot, forward crops may often be obtained from the open ground by making sowings of the Globe variety from the end of March to mid-April, in a sheltered position.  Of course, the earlier the sowing the greater the risk of destruction by frost, and birds may take the seedlings.  A double thickness of fish netting, however, stretched over stakes about one foot above the soil, will afford protection from the former and prevent the depredations of the latter.  Set the drills about twelve inches apart and sow the seed one and a half to two inches deep.  Thin the plants early and allow them to stand finally at nine inches in the rows.

==Main Crop.==—­The most important crop is that required for salading, for which a deep-coloured Beet of rich flavour is to be preferred, and the aim of the cultivator should be to obtain roots of moderate size and of perfect shape and finish.  The ground having been trenched two spades deep early in the year, may be made up into four-and-a-half-feet beds some time in March, preparatory to sowing the seed.  The main sowing should never be made until quite the end of April or beginning of May.  For a neat crop, sow in drills one and a half to two inches deep, and spaced from twelve to fifteen inches apart.  When finally thinned the plants should stand about nine inches apart in the rows.  Hand weeding will have to follow soon after sowing, and perhaps the hoe may be required to supplement the hand.  The thinning should be commenced as early as possible, but it is waste of time to plant the thinnings, and it is equally waste of time to water the crop.  In fact, if the ground is well prepared, weeding and thinning comprise the whole remainder of the cultivation.