Varieties of Roots. 



137 



be sown in a place, but this method does not seem to be making much 

 headway. The U. S. Department of Agriculture is now breeding sugar- 

 beets with but one seed in a capsule. The smallness of the seed must 

 be considered when sowing, as it is easy to sow it too deep. On the 

 University farm three-quarters of an inch deep seems to be ample, and 

 one and a half inches is too deep. Attempts have been made to hasten 

 germination of the seed by soaking the seed in warm water and other 

 substances, previous to planting, with varying success. Unless leaf-spot 

 (Cercospora beticola) be prevalent, in which case it may be advisable to 

 try some other root-crop, it is essential that mangels be sown early; the 

 end of April or the beginning of May is late enough. From six to eight 

 pounds of good seed are required per acre, although in the case of sugar- 

 beets 12 to 15 pounds are often sown. The quantity of seed necessary 

 is controlled by two factors ; the number of capsules and seeds in a pound, 

 and the number that will grow. The number of capsules in a pound 

 varied from 18,000 to 36,000 in 1905, in 15 varieties of sugar-beets and 

 mangels, the germination power from 73 per cent, to 185 per cent. 

 A drill sowing four rows at a 

 time is much used ; although the 

 grain drill will do fairly well. A 

 seven-inch ii-hoe drill can be 

 used for sowing the seed, in 

 either 28 or 35 inch rows. 



Width of roivs and thinning for 

 mangels: 



It is recommended that the 

 rows be not less than 30 inches 

 apart, as narrow rows do not fa- 

 cilitate the use of two-horse cul- 

 tivators. The aim should be to 

 grow the maximum number of 

 plants per row, as the reduction 

 in cost of production by the 

 usage of wide rows will compen- 

 sate for any reduction in yield 

 due to fewer plants per acre. As 

 soon as the plants have four 

 leaves they may be bunched ; 

 that is, take a hoe five or six 

 inches wide, go down the rows 

 and chop out all plants except 



Fig. 48. — Harris Imperial Purple Top 

 rutabagas. Although not a high yielder, 

 yet it was free from insect attacks. This 

 seems to be a promising variety. Back- 

 ground with six-inch squares. 



