CULTIVATION OF THE BEET. 99 



it can be afforded, and in beet culture it will be found 

 economical and convenient. 



As soon as the seed are sown the ground should be 

 rolled. This hastens germination. The best roller is 

 a cast-iron one, in joints or sections. The roller should 

 follow the lines made by the seed-sower as exactly as 

 is possible. 



The beet generally makes its appearance in about 

 ten days after the seed is sown ; but the time varies in 

 accordance with the nature and condition of the soil 

 and of the season. If the plant does not " show" in 

 the usual time, seed must be examined in several 

 different parts of the field, and if found generally to be 

 alive, more time must be allowed for its germination. 

 But if it be found that there is here and there a strong 

 plant, while the rest come up irregularly, and exami- 

 nation of the seed in the vacant places proves them to 

 be rotten, then it is to be considered, 



1 . Are there plants enough to give a fair crop ? 



2. Is the field in condition to allow seed to be sown 

 in the vacant places? 



3. Is there yet time to re-sow the whole piece? 



WEEDING. 



As soon as the plants are up, if weeds begin to ap- 

 pear, no time should be lost in setting the cultivator 

 in motion to destroy them, and to stir the ground 

 between the rows. 



In Europe machines particularly designed for this 

 purpose, as well as for other of the various require- 

 ments of this special culture, are in partial use. They 

 will soon be brought here, and probably be improved 



