96 BEET-ROOT SUGAR AND 



smooth and pulverize the soil, and leaves it in admi- 

 rable condition for the succeeding operations of sow- 

 ing. All stones and clods that would interfere with 

 the successful working of the seed-sower should be 

 removed. 



SOWING THE SEED. 



The proper time to commence sowing is in the 

 latter part of April, or as soon as the ground is in 

 a fit state, being warm and dry, but at the same time 

 sufficiently humid to promote rapid germination, and 

 not so wet as to induce crustation or baking of the 

 surface. Some European cultivators say that it should 

 be done when the moon is on the increase. 



Sowing in Europe is done both by hand and by 

 machines ; but as the price of labor in this country 

 forbids the use of the former method, I shall give no 

 description of it, although it is done by women and 

 children very rapidly, and certainly possesses many 

 advantages in countries where labor is low. I shall 

 not describe either the method of transplanting the 

 beet which prevails extensively in Germany, for labor 

 is too high here to warrant the practice. Nor shall 

 I give any description of the seed-sowers in use in 

 Europe, because we have better ones in this coun- 

 try. I shall assume that machines will be used that 

 sow several ranges or rows at a time. 



The irregularity in size and shape of beet seed ren- 

 ders it necessary to subject it to certain treatment in 

 order to facilitate the operation of sowing, and to pre- 

 vent the clogging of the machine, the result of which 

 would be to leave long spaces in the lines without any 



