Sugar-Beets 



39 



As to the effect of the Nitrate of Soda upon the soil, it Nitrate of 

 might be argued that the Nitrate in producing a large Soda for 

 yield would use up so much of the other ready plant- foods 

 that there would be none left for the next crop. Contrary 

 effect, however, has resulted in actual practice. In our 

 soils we have ample quantities of the other two necessary 

 elements by potash and phosphoric acid and these are held 

 in reserve and are constantly being made available or set 

 free for the use of plants through the chemical action in 

 the soil, which is always going on. 



Topping Beets. Colorado Experiment Station. 



It has been claimed by inexperienced critics also that 

 Nitrate of Soda has a tendency to make the soil more 

 compact or less easily workable. In practice it is difficult 

 to see how this could take place with the many hoeings and 

 cultivations the beet crop is bound to receive, and, in fact, 

 it does not take place. But if both causes as to injurious 

 effect should be partly true it would be set aright by the 

 rotations with grains, alfalfa or other crops, which is finally 

 inevitable for the best all-around results in crop production. 



