OTHER FARM CROPS 631 



steps necessary in growing a beet crop must be considered. A failure 

 in any one of them, or a lax or loose method, may result in disaster or 

 loss. Having determined to grow the crop, no pains should be spared 

 in doing it right. Everything depends upon doing each part thor- 

 oughly and faithfully. The preparation of the seed bed proceeds 

 differently under different conditions of soil and climate. 



There are two things, however, that apply generally: (1) Deep 

 plowing, and (2) minute pulverization by surface harrowing. Often 

 it is necessary to subsoil while turning the land with a stirring plow. 

 Many instances are reported where this has not appeared beneficial, 

 many instances where it has appeared to be actually harmful, and 

 many more where it has been absolutely necessary. Where winter 

 freezing obtains, fall plowing is usually preferable, if possible. In 

 the first place it catches the summer and fall crop of weeds and grass 

 and turns them under, thus eliminating some of the difficulties of 

 cultivation during the growing of the plants. In the next place, 

 fall rains or irrigation dampen the soil, and the upheaval through 

 freezing mellows it, and makes available certain of its elements of 

 fertility. 



After the land is plowed it should be thoroughly pulverized. 

 This may be accomplished in several ways by harrowing, dragging, 

 planking, and rolling. Whatever local system is used most success- 

 fully in accomplishing this purpose is the most desirable. The idea 

 is to pulverize the soil, and this is an important matter. The sugar 

 beet is, in its early stages, a tender plant, and, while the soil should 

 be fine, at the same time it should be moist and in such a condition as 

 to thoroughly compact about the beet ball, filling in the convolutions 

 of its outer parts. This is desirable, because it enables the ball to 

 absorb moisture, which promotes the germination of the seed. If 

 the surface is left in a lumpy or cloddy condition, many of the seeds 

 remain in open spaces allowing free circulation of the air, and, 

 instead of being moistened, they are dried up and the germs are 

 killed. 



Sugar-beet growing is garden culture on a large scale. It might 

 be stated in a general way that whatever is applicable in gardening 

 in preparing seed beds, and in the care necessary to germinate the 

 seeds and sustain the plants in their aftergrowth, will apply also to 

 sugar beets. Most of the success of this plant during its growing sea- 

 son will depend upon the proper condition of the ground at the time 

 of planting. (0. of E. S. Cir. 11.) 



Sugar-Beet Seed. The proper selection of the seed is the first 

 requisite in planting. At present most of the beet seed is imported 

 from Germany and France. As with other commodities, there are 

 a few standard varieties, the quality of which is well known. These 

 standard varieties are also in the hands of responsible and established 

 firms. 



No one can tell much about the quality of seed by looking at it. 

 A farmer can test the seed by germinating a certain number of seeds 

 between two dampened blotters kept warm and moist. He can ob- 

 serve what percentage germinates. As each seed or ball has from one 



