10 BULLETIN 995, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



small valleys mentioned above are sometimes used to supplement the 

 beet crop produced in other sections provided the hauling distance 

 by wagon or rail is not too great. 



Hills. — Generally a hilly country is not satisfactory for sugar- 

 beet culture, especially if the hills are inclined to wash. The nature 

 of the soil of the hills is an important factor in determining whether 

 sugar beets can be grown. Hauling heavy loads in a hilly country 

 is also a matter of serious consideration. Usually from 3 to 5 tons 

 of beets are hauled at each load and if hills must be climbed the 

 loads must necessarily be reduced and the cost of hauling conse- 

 quently increased. This in itself may be a limiting factor in the 

 production of sugar beets in some otherwise favorable sugar-beet 

 areas. 



Level land. — In irrigated countries it is desirable that the surface 

 of the soil be sufficiently level to permit uniform irrigation. A per- 

 fectly level area, however, is objectionable because of the difficulty in 

 spreading the water over the entire field with sufficient rapidity. 

 This is especially objectionable in the case of sugar beets, which 

 should be watered between the rows only, as shown in Plate I, figure 

 2. Again, when the land, especially in irrigated sections, is very 

 level and poorly drained alkali frequently appears on the surface 

 after repeated irrigations. Sugar beets will tolerate a small amount 

 of alkali, but all crops are injured by excessive quantities of alkali 

 in the soil, especially when the plants are young and tender. 



Rolling land. — Other things being equal, moderately rolling land 

 is more desirable for sugar-beet culture than either extremely hilly 

 or very level areas. This is especially true in those sections where 

 sugar beets are produced under rainfall conditions. In irrigated 

 sections rolling land is not so desirable unless the topography of 

 the county is such that the area under cultivation can not be irrigated 

 readily. Under irrigation conditions it is desirable that the land 

 have an even surface with a gentle slope of at least 7 feet to the 

 mile. If the slope is too marked the irrigation water passes over it 

 too rapidly unless special care is taken in applying the water. 



CLIMATE. 



One of the most important factors in determining the suitability 

 of a given area for sugar-beet culture is the climate. Frequently all 

 other conditions are favorable, but some climatic factor renders 

 sugar-beet growing unprofitable. 



Temperature. — Successful sugar-beet growing has been confined to 

 the temperate region in practically all beet-sugar producing coun- 

 tries. Frequently sugar beets will produce a satisfactory tonnage of 

 roots in warmer areas, but for some reason they generally are not 

 sufficiently rich in sugar to make them profitable in sugar making. 



