320 



SUCCESSFUL FARMING 



. The leading states in the production of beet sugar, in the order of their 



production, are: Colorado, California, Michigan, Utah, Idaho and Ohio. 



In the past and even at present, many farmers think beet culture 



injures the soil. This, with the high cost of extracting the sugar from the 



beet, has made progress in beet culture in this country very slow. 



Results obtained in Germany and other European countries, when 

 beets are introduced into the rotation, suggest that the farmers of the 

 United States, having the proper conditions for production, would do well 

 to introduce them into their rotations. European farmers do not find the 

 beet crop in itself highly profitable, but the extra cultivation and fertiliza- 

 tion necessary to grow them, has greatly increased the yields of all other 

 crops, in the rotation, especially the cereals. 



For the most part the profit is made indirectly 

 from the beet crop. The preceding chart from the 

 loose-leaf service of the United States Sugar Manu- 

 facturers' Association compares the average yields 

 of cereals in Germany, a beet-raising country, with 

 those of the same crops in the United States, where 

 very few beets or roots are grown. 



Adaptation. — The soil and climatic conditions 

 are very important factors in growing beets with 

 high sugar content. They are not as widely 

 adapted as other farm crops commonly grown in 

 this country. Plenty of moisture and sunshine, 

 particularly during early growth, are essential to 

 the production of beets with high sugar content. 

 Ideal conditions are found most commonly in the 

 irrigated districts of the Rocky Mountains and the 

 Pacific Coast, although many Northern states 

 have favorable conditions for sugar-beet growing. 



Sugar-beets require deep, well-drained soils. They do best on 

 rich loam or sandy loam and are not adapted to clays, muck or peaty 

 soils. 



Preparation of Land. — The root of the sugar-beet grows entirely or 

 mostly underground, the smaller roots often reaching a depth of four to 

 six feet. For this reason, a deep soil and a deeply prepared seed-bed are 

 necessary. Beet ground should be plowed eight to twelve inches deep, and 

 where possible a subsoiler may be used with good results. Fall plowing is 

 advised where conditions will permit. It is very important that the seed- 

 bed be well prepared. The land should be worked often enough to secure 

 a fine, firm, moist seed-bed. It is necessary to obtain a soil free from weeds 

 or weed-seeds. Beets grow slowly at first, and if weeds are allowed to start, 

 considerable hand labor will be required to eradicate them. Beets should 

 never be grown in continuous culture. The rotation will depend on the 



1 Courtesy of California Agricultural College. 



Sugar-Beet. 1 



