270 CULTURE OF THE SUGAR BEET. 



The facts given in the above table are well worthy of consideration by those inter- 

 ested in this important subject. It must be remembered that in many cases no care- 

 ful record was kept by the farmer, and the figures given are taken from memory ; but 

 they are important for the determination of the value of the culture in the section for 

 which they are made, and we therefore feel justified in offering the following observa- 

 tions concerning them. 



With very few exceptions the character of the soil as regards natural physical con- 

 dition was, for the crops reported, favorable to a good yield both as to quantity and 

 quality, but there were, as may be seen by reference to the table, but few cases in 

 which it received any preparation by plowing in the previous fall. 



It is true that here the prevailing crops in advance of the beets were plowed ones, 

 which reduced the absolute necessity for fall plowing, and even for more than one 

 plowing in spring, and we find that this was all that was given in a large number of 

 cases. 



While the depth of plowing was not as graat as is generally recommended by Euro- 

 pean beet-growers, this may have been limited to a considerable extent by the thick- 

 ness of the stratum of surface soil which long continued root culture would modify for 

 good. Yet we find scarcely any mention of subsoil plowing, so well known to much 

 more tban repay the cost of its application, especially in the culture of root crops, 

 that must take their nourishment through the medium of long-tap roots, aud should 

 therefore find no obstacle to their development. The chemical character of the soil 

 was in all cases greatly stimulated by the application of natural and artificial ma- 

 nures ; but we see by comparison of the figures given in the table, and the results of 

 French practices, showing the requirements of the average crop, that the quantities 

 applied were extravagantly large, and were sufficient in many cases to have an in- 

 jurious influence upon the crop. It appears that it would be of greater advantage to 

 the grower to apply the stable manure to a previous crop — say corn or potatoes — and 

 follow these crops by beets, with no application of stable manure, and with a limited 

 application of artificial fertilizer consisting of — 



Five parts superphosphate of lime. 



Two parts nitrate of soda (Chili saltpeter). 



One part muriate of potash* (kainit). 



Two parts land plaster. 



Of this mixture applied in the row at time of planting 300 pounds per acre would 

 be sufficient for the demands of the crop, if it followed corn, otherwise 500 pounds 

 should be applied. 



Such a system of manuring would be quite as favorable to the beet crop, as to quan- 

 tity, as that which appears to have been generally followed, and would be much bet- 

 ter for the quality of the crop for sugar extraction. At the same time it would largely 

 reduce the immediate cost of the beet crop and increase to a marked extent the value 

 of the corn or potato crop. The large cost of the culture of the sugar beet in Maine 

 as shown in the last column of the table would thus be reduced in many cases more 

 than one-half, and the probability is strong that if this system be combined with other 

 changes in the system followed last year, that we shall mention further on, the quan- 

 tity of the crop would be even greater. If, however, it be the desire of the grower 

 to make an application' of stable manure, it should be done in the fall, and the ma- 

 nure should in all cases bo thoroughly well rotted, and should be well plowed in. The 

 quantity applied should not exceed five or six cords. 



Now as to planting and culture. The quantity of seed recommended and offered 

 by the company was 14 pounds per acre, but we find that a large proportion of the 

 growers made use of a much smaller quantity than this; many times less than one 

 half, and while such practice was not always followed by unfortunate results, it may 

 be said that it must be attended with great care on the part of the planter to avoid 

 the existence of bare spots in the field. It is much better to be called upon to remove 



* Or of sulphate of potash. 



