194 



NEW ENGLAI^D FARMER. 



April 



thing regarding the actual cliCFerence between 

 a germ prodiu'ing ])leuro-pneiunonia or disor- 

 ganization of the lungs in a cow or ox, and 

 one producing suppurating sores and ugly ul- 

 cers in the mouths and hoofs of the animals ? 

 Both are s{)e('ific poisons, exerting specific ac- 

 tion upon dillcrent parts of the animal organ- 

 ization. It is inconceivable how this can oc- 

 cur ; and yet perhaps it is no more inconceiva- 

 ble or mysterious than most diseases, which, 

 after all, are but derangements of the chem- 

 ical reactions or forces of the animal economy. 

 We can manage and control chemical 

 changes quite perfectly when they occur in or- 

 ganic bodies, and, thanks to science, we can 

 manage tolerably well those which occur in the 

 human or animal organization when they hap- 

 pen under ordinary conditions, and are not of 

 too violent a nature. There is a class of re- 

 agents called "remedies," which, when rightly 

 used, serve to control in some degTce destruc- 

 tive chemical action in the body. We have 

 learned that the poisonous germs which we 

 have had under consideration cannot maintain 

 their vitality in the presence of certain chemi- 

 cal agents, among which are carbolic and cresy- 

 lic acids, sulphurous acid, the chlorides of 

 some of the metals, etc. These destroy the 

 life of spores, as arsenic or prussic acid de- 

 stroys life in the human body, and therefore 

 they are the proper agents to employ to arrest 

 the spread of infectious diseases. By the ex- 

 ercise of proper caution, and by observing the 

 laws of hygiene, by keeping the body clean, 

 and the blood in good condition, by plenty of 

 air and exercise, we can in a considerable de- 

 gree fortify ourselves against the attacks of 

 poisonous germinal affections. — Dr. Nichols 

 in Journal of Chemistry. 



THE AMERICAN" IMPROVED IMPE- 

 RIAL SUGAR BEET. 



We pubhshed last year what information we 

 could obtain in relation to the cultivation of 

 this variety of roots for farm stock. We 

 have recently received inquiries for further 

 particulars, which we have been unable to an- 

 swer until now. The following article is an- 

 nished by Mr. Henry Lane, of Cornwall, Vt., 

 who has had much practical experience in 

 raising these beets, and also the seed which is 

 advertised in this paper. 

 Soil. 



A light sandy soil is least suitable to the 

 growth of the sugar beet, while the various 

 loamy soils, and especially those containing a 

 large proportion of clay, are best adapted to 

 its growth. 



Preparation of the Soil. 



In the first place, all stagnant water, either 

 on the surfai'e or within reach of the roots of 

 the beet, should be removed by thorough 



drainage. Although the beet requires a large 

 amount of moisture to carry on a vigorous 

 and healthy growth, yet I know of no plant 

 that will show the presence of stagnant water 

 (packer than the beet, by its assuming a yel- 

 lowish hue and sickly aspect. It will not ex- 

 tend downward its usual length, but on reach- 

 ing water will divide into numerous small 

 fuzzy roots, which spread in all directions, to 

 the great injury of the crop ; hence in the 

 preparation of most soils, and especially clay 

 soils, thorough drainage is necessary. Land 

 intended for beets should be kept in a high 

 condition by a liberal application of fine ma- 

 nure, — at least twenty-five loads per acre. If 

 your soil contains quite a per cent, of clay it 

 should be ploughed in the fall, as the action 

 of the frost will mellow it. Avoid sowing on 

 turf land, for the turf will obstruct the tap- 

 root and thus induce a development of fuzzy 

 lateral roots, much to the injury of the crop. 

 After the manuring and ploughing has been 

 done, harrow the ground until mellow, ridge 

 with the double mould-board jilough, making 

 the ridges thirty inches apart, and liat down the 

 ridges with a garden rake. I sow with a seed 

 sower, at the rate of four pounds of seed per 

 acre. 



Time of Sowing. 



The success of the crop depends very much 

 upon early sowing. The very first suitable 

 weather after the frost is out and the soil suf- 

 ficiently dry to be worked should be improved 

 even if this is as early as the middle of April. 

 Beets after growing to one-half inch in thick- 

 ness, form a concentric ring or layer about 

 every fifteen days ; these vary in number from 

 six to ten, depending upon the length of the 

 season after planting. The oldest leaves are 

 those at the bottom of the crown and are in di- 

 rect communication with the oldest and central 

 layer. As new leaves are formed new layers 

 are formed, the central leaves on the top of 

 the crown communicating with the last and 

 external layer ; each succeeding laj'cr being 

 external to the one preceding it, the diameter 

 and bulk of the root increases in an increased 

 ratio, — the last two being at least equal to the 

 four internal ones, consequently doubling the 

 crop, and this generally after the first of 

 September. 



Distance between Rows and plants in the 



Row. 

 I would not have the distance between the 

 rows less, than two feet, nor more than two 

 and one-half feet. This latter distance I con- 

 sider the best, as it gives more space to run 

 the cultivator. It is always better that the 

 crop should be made up of large soimd roots 

 than that it should consist of a great number 

 of smaller ones, even though the weight he 

 the same per acre. The large roots require 

 less labor from the singling out to the final 

 harvesting of the crop, and indeed till they 

 are fed out. I have the plants eighteen inches 

 apart in the row. If the plants stand eighteen 



