CULTIVATION OF THE BEET. 89 



that it may be worked soon after rains, is suitable 

 for the crop in question. 



The best colors for the soil are black and brown, 

 provided the color is from vegetable mould, and not 

 due to metallic elements. 



A black soil warms more readily, and retains heat 

 better, than that of any other color. This is favor- 

 able to the early development of the beet in the 

 spring, which is important, as it tends to put the 

 plant beyond the reach of summer drought, its long 

 root penetrating deep enough into the earth to obtain 

 the necessary supply of moisture. The "black soil" 

 of Russia, which corresponds with much of our 

 western land, is said by Professor Witt, of Munich, 

 to be acknowledged the best in Europe for the sugar 

 beet. 



Count Chaptal, a great cultivator, as well as sugar 

 manufacturer, says, " All grain-fields are more or 

 less suitable for beets, but especially those having a 

 depth of twelve or fifteen inches of rich vegetable 

 mould. Fine, sandy, alluvial bottom lands, over- 

 flowed in winter or early spring, are favorable for 

 the beet, and they need no artificial manure, as they 

 are enriched by the inundations. Beets require to be 

 planted on thoroughly cultivated land in which the 

 sods are entirely rotted." 



He was often compelled to sow a crop of oats on 

 land newly broken up before he planted the beet, of 

 which afterwards he often got two excellent successive 

 crops. 



When the soil was very light and deep he some- 

 times succeeded in getting a good crop on pasture 



