106 CULTURE OF THE SUGAR BEET. 



in the economy of providing supplies of plant-food, and they will aid 

 greatly in the»selection of the compounds to be employed for the fertili- 

 zation of various crops. 



From what precedes and what we learn from the long-established 

 practices followed in France in the application of fertilizers to the land 

 on which beets are to be produced, it appears that nitrogenous organic 

 compounds insoluble in water should be worked into the soil a long time 

 in advance of the crop, and that to enjoy a beneficial result from their 

 use they should be distributed at least during the autumn preceding the 

 season of planting, and for stable-manures it is preferable that they be 

 given to a preceding crop, which in France is generally oats or potatoes. 



Stohmamij* says it is generally recognized as a rule that the sugar-beet 

 should never be cultivated upon a fresh manure or barnyard manure, 

 because this system of culture gives a large yield in weight, but roots 

 so rich in foreign matters that they cannot be worked with profit. The 

 beet should always form the second rotation when the manure is strong. 



Other organic nitrogenous compounds, such as seed cakes, refuse ani- 

 mal matters, and even ammonia salts, may be applied in the fall or in 

 the very early spring, while the nitrates, which are more soluble, may 

 be applied either immediately before or immediately after planting. 



In no case should the latter be applied during the period of growth, 

 on account of its influence as shown by numerous experiments, to retard 

 the time of ripening and the consequent maximum development of 

 sugar. 



The quantity of stable-manure per acre that may be applied to land 

 to produce the most favorable effect seems in France to be from 8 to 15 

 tons, according to the character of the soil, and it is generally more 

 profitable to use a smaller quantity and supplement it with nitrates 

 and phosphates. The value of lime in its relations to the beet is no less 

 than for other crops. Its disintegrating influence upon the nitrogenous 

 organic matters is as important as its power to take the place of other 

 alkalies which may be wanting. In fact, on account of this property, 

 many of the most intelligent growers are inclined to use it, and by means 

 of it to avoid in the juice many of the more objectionable soluble salts 

 that the alkalies are likely to introduce. Another important considera- 

 tion is its low market value, and the convenience of its application. At 

 the same time, deficiencies of the other alkalies in the soil should not 

 be overlooked, and they should be in all cases made up. 



It is scarcely necessary to further call attention to the importance and 

 value of the phosphates in connection with this crop, after all that has 

 been said. They may be applied at all times, and many growers con- 

 sider it of advantage to distribute small quantities with each working 

 or hoeing. The general method employed, however, is to distribute 

 it in advance of the last plowing, in the course of which latter operation 



it becomes distributed throughout the entire arable layer. But if ap- 



. : , -1. 



* Journal des Fabricants de Sucre, November 20, 1878. 



