PREPARATION OF THE SOIL, OR TILLAQ^E. 115 



a second hoeing is desirable. From this time forward 

 the last operation should be repeated over and over 

 again. As a general thing it must be admitted that 

 no economy will result from this neglect. In France 

 it is considered that, when the land has been hoed three 

 times after the thinning out, this is all that is required, 

 whilst in Germany (where far less weeds exist, the 

 ground being there more thoroughly worked), this is 

 repeated five and even more times. It is well to choose 

 dry weather for the hoeing, and, when sandy soils are 

 cultivated, it is desirable not to penetrate too deeply 

 with the hoe, as the evaporation would become exces- 

 sive. The hoeing has for a general effect the develop- 

 ment of the leaves, which results in a greater formation 

 of sugar, but should be continued only until the root 

 has attained its full growth, and would then have the 

 general appearance shown in fig. 23. If we should 

 continue, the leaves would become still larger, at the 

 very period that the saccharine elements are increasing, 

 and the latter would be diminished if the general foliage 

 became too excessive. The weeds thenare no longer 

 to be dreaded, as they are not exposed to the light, and 

 receive but little air, and are consequently smothered 

 by the leaves of the beet. 



In conclusion, we would mention that in France 

 they frequently pass a roller over the field before the 

 thinning out ; this loosens the ground, and is supposed 

 to facilitate the coming operation, after which the entire 



