EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 



243 



which controls insect pests and insures a proper mellowing. Fall plowed 

 land is usually in condition to be readily worked into an excellent seed 

 bed at an early date the following spring. 



FaU plowing to good depth is the usual practice among good beet growers. 



Where spring plowing is necessary it should be done as early as pos- 

 sible. Discing before plowing in the spring is a great aid in preparing 

 land for heets. The loose ground on the surface from the discing helps 

 to fill up the furrow bottom with fine material and thus makes it easier 

 to prepare the seed bed. In view of the shorter period of time available 

 for weather action spring plowing should not be so deep as fall plowing. 

 It is not advisable to mix the sub-soil with the furrow slice in the spring ; 

 hence plowing should not be greater than the usual depth. After corn, 

 potatoes, or beans, spring plowing to a medium depth is sufficient to 

 provide proper conditions for the preparation of a good seed bed. For 

 rapid and full development, beets need deep, easily penetrated, but not 

 loose soil conditions. The surface must be worked into as near a "garden 

 condition of tilth" as possible, in order to provide the best conditions 

 for seedling development. 



