26 



of causing these parasites to disappear. It would also 

 mark out more mellow ridges for the seed. It is true 

 that by so doing, the land would through the inva- 

 riably dry winds of the spring lose a great portion 

 of its moisture ; but one fall of rain will restore the 

 soil to its normal state of moisture. From the more 

 rapid growth thus secured to the beets the weeds are 

 killed off by them, and a more abundant harvest is 

 assured. A multiple share plough which would give 

 a smeoth surface for the seed 3ould be advanta- 

 geously employed. 



In terminating this section 1 will give a general 

 rule, which should always be a guide to farmers. 



The land must be worked as well before as after hav- 

 ing been sown, BUT IT MUST NEVER BE WORKED EXCEPT 

 WHEN DRY. All work in land when it is wet is more 

 hurtful than useful. The ground cakes and becomes 

 compact, instead of mellow and remaining subject to 

 atmospheric influences ; and the growing plant entrusted 

 to it can only grow under unfavorable conditions. 



4. ROTATION OF CROPS. 



Rotation is the system which determines the suc- 

 cession of crops in a field. 



The choice of a good system of distribution or 

 rotation is of vital importance to agriculture and it 

 is especially necessary when the sugar beet is ex- 

 tracted. The object of rotation is so to arrange the 

 crops that each shall draw from the earth the subs- 

 tances necessary for its growth and under the most 



