QUESTIONS 253 



4. Grow some sugar beets in the garden, using the methods described in 

 this chapter. Study their development and calculate the yields. Interesting 

 experiments with fertilizer may be carried on at the same time. 



5. Sprout some beet seeds between wet blotters or wet cloths, and note 

 the number of sprouts from each so-called seed. Can you decide why beet 

 plantings always require thinning? 



6. Seeds of the Root Crops. Make a collection of the seeds of each of 

 the crops mentioned in this chapter and compare them enough to be able to 

 know each, if possible, when separated from the rest. What ones ao you con- 

 sider most alike? Make a description of such to bring out the characteristic 

 differences. 



7. Comparing Farming Seedlings. Sprout a few seeds of each of the 

 different kinds and note their differences when sprouting. This may be either 

 in the garden or in a seed-flat in the laboratory. 



8. Preparation for Market. Visit a market where these and similar crops 

 are being sold and study methods of preparing them for market. Which are 

 considered most in demand? 



QUESTIONS 



1. Explain why sugar beets and mangel-wurzels must be thinned. 



2. Give directions for the growing of the sugar beet crop. 



3. Describe the steps in harvesting. 



4. How are the beets kept until manufacturing time? 



5. What is the chief by-product from the beet-sugar factory? In what two 



conditions is it sold? 



6. Compare the root crops in yields per acre. 



7. Compare them with sweet and Irish potatoes in percentage of dry matter. 



8. What root crops are most easily kept for winter use? Which most diffi- 



cult? 



9. Describe a good condition for the storage of root crops for winter sale or 



for stock feeding. 



10. Which ones of the crops of this group should be stored, and which used 



fresh? 



11. Which are best if planted several times during the season? 



12. Which of these crops are usually drilled in rows? W T hich are usually 



broadcasted? 



References. United States Farmers' Bulletins: 295, Potatoes and Other 

 Root Crops as Food; 392, Irrigation of Sugar Beets; 567, Sugar-beet Growing 

 Under Irrigation; 568, Sugar-beet Growing Under Humid Conditions; 618, 

 Leaf-spot, a Disease of the Sugar Beet. 



