114 CULTURE OF THE SUGAR BEET. 



The cultural manipulations proper of the crop should begin as soon as 

 the beets are up and the leaves sufficiently developed to distinguish the 

 rows ; and we may accept the statement so universally reiterated by 

 those who speak and those who write on the subject, as supported by the 

 success of the practice, that u early and frequent cultivation cannot be 

 too strongly recommended ; it kills weeds scarcely started and forms a 

 stratum of mellow earth which constitutes an obstacle to dryness by day 

 and assimilates the moisture of the night." 



As before stated, as soon as the rows are defined by the development 

 of leaves the first cultivation by hoeing begins. 



In France this is, in many sections, performed by hand, while in others 

 it is effected by means of the horse cultivator, the object being, of course, 

 the destruction of weeds and stirring up the soil. At this time, also, 

 many growers make an application of nitrate of soda or potash. Two 

 weeks later the beets are thinned out, so as to leave the roots about 8 

 inches apart from center to center, after the manner described above. 

 After this the crop receives about three hoeings or cultivations, and 

 more than this if time allows, for the work should be discontinued about 

 the 1st of July, according to some authorities, or it may be continued as 

 long as the leaves will allow, according to others. The latter will proba- 

 bly be for all localities and climates the better indication. 



After the final hoeing, about the 1st of July, no other care is neces- 

 sary, with the exception of the removal of seed-stalks that may occasion- 

 ally appear, especially if July and August be dry, until the harvesting, 

 which should take place before the appearance of hard frost. If the 

 roots be frosted in the ground they are rendered unfit for storing and 

 preservation in caves or trenches for extraction of the sugar in the late 

 winter, which is of course often necessary. 



Harvesting is generally begun about the middle of September, and 

 may, according to the condition of maturity of the crop, continue until 

 the middle of October. 



Pulling the roots is sometimes effected by machines that have been 

 devised for the purpose, but the method generally employed is hand- 

 pulling ; the latter facilitated by the assistance of the pick or plow. 

 In many cases a narrow furrow is made near to the row, which loosens 

 the earth about the root and renders its extraction from the ground 

 easier. The operation must in all cases be exercised with great care, in 

 order that the roots be not bruised or cut, accidents which increase the 

 tendency of roots to decay when stored. They should also be pulled 

 when the ground is in the driest condition. If the ground be wet at 

 the time of pulling, the earth will adhere to the root, and this will also 

 produce a tendency to decay. Besides this, trouble will arise in the de- 

 termination of the tare in the delivery of the crop to the manufacturer. 

 In most cases the leaves are removed from the beet in the field, either 

 at the time of pulling or at the time of charging them to the carts or 

 wagons in which they are to be transported, either directly to the fac- 

 tory or to storage. If there be danger from frost the roots are piled in 



