92 BEET-ROOT SUGAR AND 



" The three principal periods of vegetation in the 

 growth of the beet are marked by the successive for- 

 mation of the leaves, the root, and the seeds. 



" The first of these periods extends to July, during 

 which time the leaves are rapidly developed, while 

 there is but little increase in the size of the roots. 

 The beet then remains in a state of comparative re- 

 pose." 



From the middle of July to the latter part of Au- 

 gust the root increases rapidly in size. 



Seed ripens in August. 



From August to the middle of September, and 

 sometimes until the i5th of October, the beet still 

 grows, but increases more rapidly in weight than in 

 size. 



METHOD OF CULTIVATING THE SUGAR BEET * FOR 

 THE MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR. 



Having selected a suitable piece of ground that is 

 already in cultivation, it should be thoroughly ma- 

 nured in the fall, the manure ploughed in to a depth 

 of six or seven inches, and completely covered, taking 

 particular care that the land is dry, for working wet 

 land always develops in it gummy and sticky proper- 

 ties that subsequently interfere with easy cultivation. 

 This superficial ploughing should be followed by a sec- 

 ond, as deep as possible. A double Michigan plough 

 would probably perform the work with a single oper- 



* The instructions here given are exclusively for the cultivation 

 of beets destined to be manufactured into sugar. The cultivation 

 of forage beets for feeding stock is quite different, particularly in 

 relation to the distances at which the plants should stand apart. 



