Irrigation and Drainage 



137 



vary with a number of factors, the most important of 

 which are the depth and texture of the soil. A light 

 irrigation of one to two inches would be ample for a 

 shallow sandy soil, whereas five or six inches might well 

 be given a deep loam or clay. It must be kept in mind 

 that the beet is a deep-rooted plant and that sufficient 

 moisture should be added to moisten the land as deeply 

 as the roots penetrate. Where the soil is suitable, a few 

 rather heavy irrigations have given better results than 

 many small ones. The reverse is true for potatoes. 



Relation of irrigation to size, shape, and quality of beets. 

 (Figs. 14-21.) 



Many tests have been made to determine the effect of 

 irrigation water on the nature of the beets. These tests 



Effect of irrigation at different stages on yield of beets 

 tops. Utah. 



