22 



BULLETIN 68, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGKICULTUKE. 



The success of root crops largely depends upon the preparation of the 

 seed bed. In gi-omng sugar beets in the vicinity of Waverly, Wash., 

 the follo%\dng has been found a very satisfactory way of preparing 

 land for tliis crop. Stubble land is disked or plowed shallow in the 

 autunin. As soon as in condition to work in the early spring it is 

 plowed 7 or 8 inches deep and then harrowed, planked, and rolled 

 again and again until a fu-m, mellow seed bed is formed. The time 

 of planting depends on the season. In localities whose altitude is 

 from 2,000 to 2,500 feet, root crops are usually planted the last of 

 April or early in May. For winter use roots are stored either in 

 cellars or pits. Roots are generally fed in connection with a grain 

 ration. The hogs usually receive all of the roots that they will clean 

 up and sufficient grain to make them tliiive and grow as desired. 



Fig. 9. — An easily and cheaply constructed rack for feeding hay to hogs. The sides consist of ordinary 

 hog-fencing wire stapled on a frame. 



Artichokes. — On rich, mellow land that retains moisture well arti- 

 chokes usually yield better than potatoes. But on land that dries 

 out quickly the yield is not very satisfactory. The methods given 

 on page 16 of this bulletin for growing artichokes will apply in the 

 main for this district also. 



The hogs are turned in late in the fall, about the time that alfalfa 

 or clover pasture is failing. Some allow the hogs to work on the 

 tubers at wall from the last of October until May 1. Others prefer 

 to use artichokes only in the late fall and early spring, the hogs being 

 removed from the field during the winter, when the ground is so wet 

 that their rooting will puddle the soil. The hogs are returned to the 

 field as soon as the ground has settled in the early spring. Used in 

 this way artichokes fill in two periods, the late fall and early spring, 

 when green feed is scarce. As witli the root crops, hogs must also 

 receive a grain ration of some kind when feeding upon artichokes if 



