CULTURE OF THE SUGAR BEET. 107 



plied in the spring, it is considered by many that it shoidd be deposited 

 in the rows with the seed, and M. Derome is of the opinion that 100 to 

 250 pounds per acre applied in the rows will produce quite as good 

 effects as 400 to S00 applied broadcast. He concludes from all his ex- 

 periments, the results of which are confirmed by those obtained by 

 Corenwinder, Pagnoul, Ladureau, and others, that artificial fertilizers 

 worked in with the plow will give an average of about 3 tons more of 

 beets than the same quantity of manure applied on the surface and 

 worked in with the cultivators. 



i 



The next consideration in the culture of the beet is the improve- 

 ment of the physical qualities of the soil, and its preparation for the 

 crop. The importance of drainage, &c, has already been referred to in 

 the review of the inherent physical qualities of the soil which make it 

 suited to this crop, and we may therefore proceed at once to the con- 

 sideration of its manipulation to bring it to the favorable conditions 

 before quoted. And we shall first of all review the ideas advanced on 

 this subject by some of the later writers who may be considered good 

 authorities. Briem* says: 



The development of the beet depends, in the first place, upon good preparation of 

 the soil, and its continued and careful maintenance. A preparation carefully effected 

 brings about a mellowing of the soil, access and change of air and water, destruction 

 of weeds, and deep growth of the root. Deep plowing (with steam where this is pos- 

 sible) is the first condition of a rational culture. This operation should be effected 

 in advance of winter. Subsequent cultivation should not be spared. It improves the 

 size and quality of the plant, and should be repeated as often and as long as the 

 leaves will permit. The more the culture approaches that of a garden, the more the 

 quantitative and qualitative yield will be increased. 



According to Stohmaun, beets do better after well-manured gramma?. 

 They naturally find place in rotation after wheat or barley. In some 

 cases beets have been produced two years in succession, but this is 

 possible only in exceptional cases. It is injudicious to recommend a 

 rotation of beets of less than two years. Immediately after a crop of 

 cereals, the ground is broken up. In the fall, plow as deeply as the 

 nature of the soil will permit, and leave the field with the furrows thus 

 exposed during the winter to atmospheric influences. In the spring, 

 prepare the sod for sowing by means of the roller and harrow ; and in 

 order not to lose the accumulated moisture of winter, avoid, as far as 

 possible, plowing again in the spring. 



Yilmorin t directs to begin with an ordinary plow in the fall, followed 

 by a draining plow, so that the ground wdl be broken up to a depth of 

 6. to 8 inches; and plow in the spring, and follow with harrow and 

 roller. We cannot more clearly give the prevading opinions of French 

 growers upon this matter of preparation of the sod than is expressed in 

 the discussion on the subject in the meetings of the agricultural and 

 sugar congress held at Compiegne in May, 1877, and published in the 



* Journal des Fabricants de Sucre, October 23, 1878. 

 ^Journal des Fabricanta de Sucre, February 27, 1878. 



