tion and the proportions used were not such as to give prom- 

 ise of results of practical commercial value to the beet 

 grower. 



What the Crop Takes from the Soil 



The average yield of beets, per acre, in the United States 

 is between 9 and 10 tons. In the irrigated region yields are, 

 of course, better controlled. In the humid region the yield 

 may range from 5 to 20 tons per acre according to the sea- 

 son and soil. 



Ten tons of beets with their tops take from the soil 

 95 pounds of Potash 

 22 pounds of Phosphoric Acid 

 46 pounds of Nitrogen. 



The proportions of these present in the roots and in the 

 tops vary with the variety of beet, the season, the ripeness 

 of the roots, and the character of the soil. For average con- 

 ditions, there would be hauled away in the ten tons of roots 

 66 pounds of Potash 

 16 pounds of Phosphoric Acid 

 32 pounds of Nitrogen, 

 while that in the tops would remain on the farm. 



Farmers' Bulletin 52, United States Department of Agri- 

 culture, says : "As to the relation which the quantity of ma- 

 terial returned to the soil should bear to the quantity ab- 

 stracted by the beet, it may be said in general that it is desir- 

 able to return as much nitrogen, from one and one quarter 

 to one and a half times as much potash, and two and a half 



8 



