64 The Sugar-Beet in America 



and hastens desirable chemical changes in the soil. It also 

 makes possible the work of bacteria by furnishing them 

 food. 



The organic matter of the soil is derived largely from 

 the decay of roots, leaves, and stems. If the beet tops 

 and crowns are left in the field, a considerable amount of 

 organic matter is furnished. In arid regions, where the 

 growth of native vegetation is light, the organic content 

 of the soil is low and requires special attention. Indeed, 

 the getting of a good supply of humus into the soil is one 

 of the chief problems in the management of most soils. 

 Organic matter is maintained by the addition of farm 

 manure and other plant and animal refuse and by the 

 raising of crops to be plowed under. The wise sugar-beet 

 farmer will use large quantities of stable manure and, in 

 his rotation, will arrange to plow under some leguminous 

 crop or the manure resulting from it. On new land, it is 

 often necessary to raise clover or alfalfa and turn under a 

 crop before beets can be made to thrive. 



SOIL MOISTURE 



No factor in crop production is more important than 

 soil moisture. Every plant and animal requires water 

 for its life and growth. Plants may live a considerable 

 time without receiving mineral food, but if water is with- 

 held they soon wilt and die. The yield of beets in any 

 particular year usually is a reflection of the moisture 

 conditions during the growing season. Even in humid 

 regions, the lack of available moisture often is responsible 

 for a failure in the beet crop. On more than half of the 



