Cultural Methods 125 



ditions. Two-rowed and four-rowed cultivators are both 

 employed. The larger one is used almost exclusively for 

 the larger acreages. Plates XI and XII and Figs. 11 

 and 12 indicate some of the methods. 



Specific directions as to just when and how to cultivate 

 are almost useless^ since practices vary so much with con- 

 ditions. The best method is the one that will most surely 

 accomplish the ends sought : the aerating of the soil, the 

 conservation of moisture, and the control of weeds. 

 Each one of these would be enough to justify frequent 

 cultivation; combined they make it imperative. Few 

 farmers cultivate too much; many cultivate too little. 

 A crop may be raised with very few cultivations, but 

 every time the soil is properly stirred the yield of beets 

 is increased. Just before the leaves cover the ground, 

 the final cultivation should be given and it should be 

 thorough but not deep. 



