64 The Sugar-Beet in America 
and hastens desirable chemical changes in the soil. It also 
makes possible the work of bacteria by foe them 
food. 
The organic matter of the soil is antieed largely from 
the decay of roots, leaves, and stems. If the beet tops 
and crowns are left in the field, a considerable amount of 
organic matter is furnished. In arid regions, where the 
growth of native vegetation is light, the organic content 
of the soil is low and requires special attention. Indeed, 
the getting of a good supply of humus into the soil is one 
of the chief problems in the management of most soils. 
Organic matter is maintained by the addition of farm 
manure and other plant and animal refuse and by the 
raising of crops to be plowed under. The wise sugar-beet 
farmer will use large quantities of stable manure and, in 
his rotation, will arrange to plow under some leguminous 
crop or the manure resulting from it. On new land, it is 
often necessary to raise clover or alfalfa and turn under a 
crop before beets can be made to thrive. 
SOIL MOISTURE 
No factor in crop production is more important than 
soil moisture. Every plant and animal requires water 
for its life and growth. Plants may live a considerable 
time without receiving mineral food, but if water is with- 
held they soon wilt and die. The yield of beets in any 
particular year usually is a reflection of the moisture 
conditions during the growing season. Even in humid 
regions, the lack of available moisture often is responsible 
for a failure in the beet crop. On more than half of the 
