CULTURE OF THE SUGAR BEET. 117 



and decomposed. They must therefore be applied sufficiently in advance 

 of the crops to secure this effect. Soluble nitrogenous compounds may 

 be applied immediately in advance of or simultaneously with planting, 

 and of these the nitrates are preferable. Nitrogenous compounds have 

 a tendency to extend the period of growth and delay the time of ripen- 

 ing. This tendency is counteracted by the phosphates, in consequence 

 of which they increase the production of sugar. 



Stable manures must in all cases be worked into the soil with the fall 

 plowing. Do not apply more than 10 to 15 tons per acre, and supple- 

 ment it with nitrate of soda and superphosphate of lime at the rate of 

 from 200 to 400 pounds of each per acre, according to the character of 

 the soil. 



Alkaline salts should be applied with great caution, and only to soils 

 manifestly wanting them. They add to the cost of culture, and often 

 reduce the industrial value of the crop. Plant closely ; 18 to 20 inches 

 between the rows will be found the most convenient and favorable for 

 culture in the United States. Separate the beets by about 8 inches in 

 the row. 



Cultivate early and often, and continue as long as the leaves will per- 

 mit, but not longer than the middle of July. Do not harvest until the 

 crop is thoroughly ripe, but it must not be allowed to be injured by 

 frost. 



Store the roots in such a way that they may be protected from ex- 

 tremes of temperature and moisture, and observe care in ventilating 

 trenches or cellars ; otherwise the roots will rapidly deteriorate. 



OHAPTEE VI. 



SOCIAL CONDITIONS AFFECTING BEET-ROOT CULTURE. 



It is rather difficult to determine to what extent existing social con- 

 ditions and habits of a people may affect the profitable operation of an 

 industry in the different countries, as based upon the density of popula- 

 tion, the percentage thereof engaged in active work of production, 

 whether of employers or employed, in the factories or on the farms. 

 While it is true that there must be a sufficient abundance of laborers in 

 the population of a section to satisfy the demands made by the manu- 

 facturing processes, it is also true of the industry of production of sugar 

 from the beet that it provides work throughout the entire year, in the 

 factory in the winter, when laborers on the farms are comparatively 

 idle, and employment in the summer in the cultivation of the crop. 



The following table, showing the population of the different depart- 

 ments of France engaged in agricultural work, serves to illustrate the 

 difficulty of determining froru this source any special influence upon the 

 extension of this valuable industry. The table is nevertheless of inter- 

 est, and will explain itself: 



