EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 



251 



BLOCKING AND THINNING 



The largest yield of beets of the right size for the highest sugar con- 

 tent results when plants are spaced from 10 to 12 inches apart in the 

 row. It is important that the thinning be started and completed as 

 soon as possible after the beet plants are large enough to work, at 

 which time four leaves have developed. Yields are often reduced when 

 thinning is delayed. 



"Blocking" to tufts or bunches about 8 or 10 inches apart with a 

 sharp bladed, seven inch hoe, is the first operation. The blade is drawn 

 at right angles to the rows, beneath the surface of the ground so as to 

 cut off the roots below the crowns. The bunches are then thinned care- 

 fully by hand to one plant. It is important that the strongest hunches 

 be left in blocking, and that in thinning the bunches, the most vigorous 

 plant be left in place. 



Careful blocking and thinning insures a uniform stand. The grower shown above attributed 

 his success in securing large beet yields to care in thinning the strongest plants and to 

 careful fitting of the seed bed. 



Careful attention to blocking and thinning will be repaid by a much 

 more uniform stand and increased yields. Labor is usually paid on an 

 acre basis for this work and hence there is a tendency for many to pull 

 the larger plants, which handle easier, and leave the smaller and weaker 

 ones in place. A bonus is sometimes paid the laborer by the grower 

 for an increase of yield over a certain tonnage per acre. Children, un- 

 less carefully watched or instructed, are likely to reduce possible yields 

 considerably by improper thinning. 



