106 THE SUGAR BEET. 



tions, and each having a special effect upon the result- 

 ing root. It is generally admitted that the soils should 

 not be new, as the excess of organic matter would 

 produce bad effects, but in opposition to this Walkhoff 

 tells us that those of Russia give excellent results, and 

 far better than others having been in use for many years. 

 The beet in growing, from the germinating to the 

 harvesting period, requires a soil of a texture such that 

 but little resistance will be offered, as otherwise the 

 root instead of being long and thin would, on the con- 

 trary, be short and stout, a shape not desirable. It 

 must also be understood for the same reason that small 

 stones should not exist, as the growth of the plant 

 would take place on both sides of the same, producing 

 a forked root, and containing the obstruction in its 

 centre ; this alone might be the cause of much harm in 

 working the beet. Theoretically speaking, a pure and 

 sandy soil would have the best physical texture, as far 

 as the resistance went, but the silica here existing 

 would offer but few of the nourishing elements which 

 the plant requires, and" as here the porosity would be 

 such that but few of the nourishing constituents the 

 beet requires, such as water (humidity), would remain 

 at its disposal, but simply passing through, the neces- 

 sary organic matter would in all probability be found 

 many inches below and in some cases beyond the reach 

 of the root. When these sandy soils are from alluvial 

 deposits from a river bed, and are subject to a 3^early 

 overflow, most excellent roots will result. These roots 



