THE ROOT CROPS AND RELATED PRODUCTS 327 



and sometimes, with the use of a subsoiler, it may be 

 plowed to a depth of 15 inches. When soil conditions will 

 permit, fall plowing is recommended. In the Western 

 States beets frequently follow alfalfa, and on account of 

 the deep rooting habits of the latter, this practice is de- 

 sirable. The preparation of the land after plowing is 

 important. A firm, fine, moist seed bed should be secured 

 if possible. Handling of the soil so as to conserve moisture 

 is important. No labor should be spared to obtain a seed 

 bed free from weeds, as the slow growth of the plants at 

 first gives the weeds an opportunity to flourish and hand 

 labor is then necessary to eradicate them. 



Fertilizers and barnyard manure are frequently used on 

 beet lands. Barnyard manure should be well rotted when 

 applied. High grade complete fertilizers are most fre- 

 quently used, although on soils that are deficient in only 

 one element of plant food an application of a single element 

 may then be advisable. 



338. Seeding and cultivation. Beets are usually 

 seeded solid in rows 14 to 30 inches apart. The seed of 

 the beet is produced in " balls " which contain from 1 to 5 

 seeds. It is impossible therefore to regulate the rate of 

 seeding to get the desired number of plants. Deep plant- 

 ing of the seed is likely to cause a poor stand and usually 

 from | to 1J inches is deep enough if the land has been 

 well prepared. The seeds germinate in from 5 to 10 days, 

 but the plants grow slowly at first. Since it is impossible 

 to seed at the desired rate, the plants must be thinned. 

 This is done by first " blocking " with a hoe, which consists 

 of cutting out the plants in the row, leaving small bunches 

 8 or 10 inches apart. After blocking, further thinning is 

 necessary, which consists in removing all of the plants but 

 one in each bunch. Both the blocking and the further 



