422 Bulletin i66. 



more severe, the beets were not so much affected by it, and those 

 on light soils seemed not to suffer more than those on the heavy. 



Preparation of the land. — In no one way did farmers make mis- 

 takes that cost them so heavily in expense of tillage or yield of 

 crop as by failure to properly prepare the land. On some lands 

 subsoiling is desirable ; on all lands deep plowing and thorough 

 fitting are necessary for satisfactory results. Land well prepared 

 is more than half tilled. It is believed that more fall plowing 

 should be done. Heavy land is especially benefitted by fall 

 plowing. If this can be done early enough to get a start of 

 crimson clover or rye as a cover crop, so much the better, only 

 do not make the mistake of deferring the spring plowing till the 

 cover crop has made large growth. Should dry weather come 

 on soon after seeding, any considerable amount of coarse material 

 turned under would so interfere with the rise of water from 

 below into the surface soil as to hinder germination and growth. 



Seeding. — Most growers used from 12 to 15 lbs. of seed per 

 acre in 1898, and there is a great variety of opinions among 

 them as to what is the proper amount. Where the conditions 

 were favorable for germination the beets came up many times 

 too thick, and some of the farmers propose to reduce the amount 

 of seed used, partly to save expense, but more especially to save 

 the labor of thinning. Where the conditions were unfavorable 

 to germination an uneven stand was secured and some of these 

 farmers propose to use 20 to 25 lbs. of seed per acre to secure a 

 stand. It is believed that both of these extremes are unwise. 

 If the conditions are so unfavorable that 15 lbs. do not give a 

 stand, it is doubtful if 25 lbs. will produce the desired result. 

 On the other hand, while three or four pounds would be abun- 

 dant if nearly all of it grew, and the labor of thinning would 

 be materially reduced, still it is unsafe to risk getting a stand 

 from so small an amount of seed. Twelve to fifteen pounds of 

 seed per acre are still recommended. 



Depth of pla7iti7ig. — In some cases too deep planting resulted 

 in a failure to get a stand. Early in the season, while the soil is 

 cool and moist, deep planting should especially be avoided. One- 

 half inch at this time is deep enough. It is well to have a nar- 

 row press-wheel follow the seeder and firm the soil directly over 



