GROWING SUGAR BEETS IN MICHIGAN AND OHIO. 



21 



sizes ; the 2-row and the 4-row drill, each of which has press- wheel 

 attachments which exert a uniform pressure on the drill row. This 

 firms the soil and aids in retaining sufficient moisture to insure a 

 quick germination of the seed. The use of grain drills for seeding 

 was common in three sections. Forty-four drills were reported at 

 Caro, 5 at Alma, and 11 in the Grand Rapids area. In northwestern 

 Ohio special 4-row beet drills were used exclusively. The custom in 

 this area has been for the sugar companies to rent beet drills to the 

 farmers at a nominal charge of 15 cents per acre. 



In northwestern Ohio 20-inch rows were found on all farms with 

 the exception of four, where 24-inch rows were reported. In all other 

 districts the width of row varied from 20 inches to 28 inches. 



Fig. 13. — Planting seed with a special beet drill. 



One-horse 2-row drills were used only in the Grand Rapids and 

 Alma areas. Nine men in the Alma district and 7 at Grand Rapids 

 used this type of drill. The labor charge for seeding on these farms 

 was 55 cents per acre, while the men in the same areas who used a 

 2-horse, 4-row drill performed the work at a labor cost of about 40 

 cents per acre. 



CULTIVATING. 



Sugar beets in these areas were cultivated an average of about five 

 times. The first cultivation occurs as soon as the rows can be seen 

 plainly. The cultivator is equipped with knives or crowfeet for 

 killing weeds. Blocking and thinning usually follow the first culti- 

 vation. All subsequent cultivations are usually made with bull- 

 tongue attachments, which stir the soil to a greater depth and create 

 a dust mulch. If weather conditions permit, it is customary to run 



