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SUGAR BEETS AND OTHER ROOT CROPS 



Harvesting takes place late in the fall before the ground freezes. 

 The topping may be done immediately, and if the crop is not 

 marketed before the roots freeze they should be covered to avoid 

 thawing. Freezing is not injurious if they are kept frozen until 

 the sugar is extracted. 



Yields of sugar beets vary from ten or fifteen tons per acre 

 without irrigation, to about fifteen to twenty tons where condi- 

 tions for irrigations are favorable. 



By-Products. In topping the beets the slice above ground 

 is cut at a single stroke. This furnishes a large amount of feed 

 suitable for dairy cows and other livestock. It is usually fed in 

 early winter while fresh. Sugar beet factories supply the beet 

 pulp to farmers, after the sugar is extracted. This has been ground 

 fine and may be fed to stock either wet or dry. It is now commonly 

 known in the dairy sections as dried beet pulp and is usually soaked 

 with water before feeding. 



OTHER ROOT CROPS 



There are a number of plants usually treated under the head 

 of root crops because in several of them the stored food is found 

 in the underground parts, or so-called roots. Because of the rela- 

 tionship to the root crops, several plants are here included, such 

 as rape, kale, cabbage and kohlrabi. Several of the members of 

 the group have the stored matter in the head above ground, as 

 in the case of cabbage and kohlrabi. 



The following table gives the yields, food value, and seed per 

 acre for a number of crops treated under this head: 



Comparison of Root Crops and Potatoes Seed Required, Yield, Dry Matter, etc 



