SUGAR BEETS, POTATOES, ETC. 293 



rainfall, more irrigation and more frequent applications. 

 Beets, like all long-season crops, require water during 

 the hot months of rapid growth, when the water runs low. 

 Under reservoir conditions, this makes little difference, 

 since water can be sent to the farms at the time of great- 

 est need; but, where canals are taken directly from the 

 rivers, it is often difficult to supply a large acreage of long- 

 season crops with all the water needed in July and August. 



FIG. 76. Irrigating potatoes. 



177. Quantity of water for beets. Whether 2>, 5 or 

 7J/2 inches of water are to be applied at each irrigation, 

 depends on climatic, soil and cultural conditions. The 

 plant should be allowed to drain thoroughly the water 

 from the soil. Then, a quantity of water should be added to 

 bring the soil moisture up to the full field capacity. 

 Ordinarily, 4 to 6 inches are used at each irrigation, but 

 in the hot summer months of low water, 2 to 3 inches only 

 are applied. It is inadvisable at any time to apply in 

 one irrigation very large quantities, as for instance, 1 foot. 



