EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 



245 



it also supplies a large amount of food for the bacteria with the result 

 that the plant food is made available for the beets. It is best applied by 

 means of a spreader at the rate of 8 to 12 loads per acre. 



Manure should be supplemented with an application of acid pbosphate, 

 as above recommended, or of fertilizer high in phosphorus. As the price 

 of potash declines, its use may again become more general. 



On soils which are acid, sugar beet refuse lime at the rate of one to 

 three tons per acre, or one to two tons of ground limestone applied in 

 rotation, when fitting seed beds for corn or beets, will increase beet 

 yields directly, and markedly increase the yields of clover and alfalfa 

 following in rotation, thus providing a greater residue of organic matter 

 and nitrogen, improving both the fertility and structure of the soil. 



Heavy applications of commercial fertilizer pay well on beets. Fertilizer is conveniently 



applied when fitting the seed bed. 



Eefuse lime may be secured from the sugar companies. This lime is as 

 good as can be secured for use in correcting soil acidity. On account of 

 its physical condition, being somewhat moist and occasionally lumpy, 

 it will not work through a lime distributer. Distribution is made from 

 the wagon or piles by means of a fork or shovel or with manure spreader. 

 The best time to apply this lime is in the fall or winter when the snow 

 is not too deep. 



The following table gives the analysis of two fairly representative 

 samples of sugar beet factory refuse lime. Analysis made by Prof. A. J. 

 Patten, Experiment Station Chemist. 



