CULTURE OF THE SUGAR BEET. 179 



A moist, rather stiff,soil is probably preferable for beets, because they are not likely 

 to suffer so quickly from dry weather. This year was rather dry, particularly in Au- 

 gust, and the leaves withered so much during the day that they did not recover 

 at night. 



" The plot upon which the beets was planted was cropped last year in turnips. For 

 the beets, well-rotted barn-yard manure was applied in the spring, at the rate of 5 

 cords per acre, and well plowed in. The field contained a great deal of witch grass, 

 but this was completely killed by the three plowings given. In usual practice will 

 plow but twice, first in the fall, leaving it rough during the winter, without harrow- 

 ing, to be crossed in the spring, followed by very thorough harrowing. In the appli- 

 cation of stable manure, it will be preferable to put it on well rotted in the spring, im- 

 mediately in advance of plowing. He uses besides this 400 pounds of Stockbridge's special 

 beet-manure per acre ; it costs $5 per bag, or $50 per ton. The artificial manure is 

 sown broadcast and harrowed in. 



"The first plowing was done this year at the last of April, and the second about a 

 week later, both times to a depth of 7 inches, without subsoiling. It is questionable 

 whether subsoiling pays. The cost of plowing is estimated at $2 per acre, and the 

 harrowing at 50 cents to $1, according to the land. 



" The seed was sown May 24 with Ross's horse corn planter at an estimated cost of $1 

 per acre, and the roots were separated by a distance of 18 inches between the rows, 

 and 6 inches between the beets in the rows ; but considers this too close, and next 

 year will plant 22 by>7 or 8. 



"Hoeing the crop was commenced as soon as the beets were large enough to admit 

 of it, and was done both by hand and the horse cultivator. By means of a hand cul- 

 tivator which was also used, a man was able to go over three times as much ground 

 in a given time as he can with an ordinary hoe and do quite as good work. The horse 

 cultivator was, however, used as much as possible. With an ordinary hoe a man can 

 ' cut ' half an acre per day, and with the hand cultivator 2 acres. The thi nning out is the 

 most expensive operation of all. While mechanical appliances might be employed, 

 it pays better in the end to do the work by hand, because then choice can be made to 

 remove the smaller and weaker specimens, and leave only the stronger ones, which 

 will make a great difference in the crop. The cost of thinning by hand may be esti- 

 mated at about $7 per acre. 



"The crop of this year was hoed three times at a cost of $2 per acre for each time, and 

 the work of cultivation was finished about July 1, when the leaves conrpletely covered 

 the ground. The crop will be harvested about October 1, or a little later. In most 

 cases it is better to pull by hand simply, but it is often worth the trouble to run a plow 

 close to each row to loosen the ground and then pull. The topping is done by hand, 

 by taking the root in one hand and the leaves close to the root in the other and twist- 

 ing them off. This method is not as clean an operation as topping with a knife, but it 

 satisfies the manufacturer and may be much more quickly done. A man can pull 

 about i acre per day and can top about 3 tons in the same time. The cost of pulling 

 wiil amount to about $4 per acre. In the section around Portsmouth contracts may 

 be made for pulling and topping for 1-J cents per bushel of roots. 



" The average distance of the crops of the section from the railway station is 1+ 

 miles. At this distance a man with a pair of horses 'can deliver 5 tons per day at a 

 cost of 30 cents per ton or at a distance of 5 miles for 50 cents per ton. 



" Stable manure delivered on the farm is worth about $6 per cord, though it may be 

 made for less than this, but it must be estimated at this cost in general culture. 



"The pulp is sold at the factory at $1 per ton and is delivered in Portsmouth at 

 $1.50. It will cost 30 cents more to deliver it on the farm. He will this year stable 50 

 head of beef cattle to feed upon equal parts of hay, refuse malt from brewery, and 

 pulp, with some corn, and will keep close account of weight of cattle per head, pur- 

 chase price, daily rations, cost of attendance, amount of manure produced, ultimate 

 weight of the cattle and selling price, and will report same to the department." 



