CHAPTER VIII 

 PREPARATION OF SEED-BED AND PLANTING 



The seed-bed is the home of the young plant. If that 

 home is favorable, the plant gets a good start and has a 

 fair chance to make a satisfactory grow-th ; if it is un- 

 favorable, the plant is doomed. No matter how good the 

 seed or what provisions are made for caring for the crop 

 later on in its life, a satisfactory yield cannot be obtained 

 unless the plant has a favorable condition in which to 

 begin its life and to grow during the period when it is tender. 

 In outlining methods of obtaining a good seed-bed, it 

 must be remembered that conditions differ widely and 

 that no practice will fit all conditions. The object is to 

 make the soil a suitable home for the young plant. The 

 practice that will produce this result in any locality is the 

 one to use. In discussing the question for all conditions, 

 only general suggestions can be offered ; the details must 

 be worked out locally. 



EFFECT OF PREVIOUS CROP 



The methods of preparing land for sugar-beets cannot 

 be discussed independently of the previous crop. If a sod 

 crop is followed by beets, every effort must be made to 



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