Preparation of Seed-Bed and Planting 115 
to twenty pounds to the acre. More seed is required 
if the land is not in a condition to hasten germination. 
The size of seed also affects the amount to be used. It 
is poor economy to save unnecessarily on beet seed, since 
a good stand is so indispensable to a good yield. For 
the average soil that has been well prepared, about fifteen 
pounds of average seed to the acre gives excellent results. 
The depth of planting is very important. It is easy 
to plant the seed too deep and thereby to reduce its vitality. 
The seed of the sugar-beet has little food stored in it. If 
it is planted deeply, this reserve is used up before the 
plant is able to manufacture its own food. The depth of 
moisture necessary to germinate the seed must also be 
considered. Seed planted in dry soil will not germinate, 
and it is better to have a plant that is weak due to deep 
planting than to obtain no plant at all, because of plant- 
ing in dry soil. Usually seed is planted between’ three- 
fourths of an inch and one and a half inches deep. If the 
condition of the soil permits, shallow planting is to be 
preferred. This is particularly true on heavy land that 
is likely to crust. 
Many types of beet drills are on the market. No type 
is best for all kinds of soils. In some cases the seed is 
planted one seed in a place and scattered regularly along 
the row. In some sections a type of drill that drops the 
seed in hills to facilitate thinning is finding favor. 
THE STAND 
A good stand of beets is so important that every means 
should be used to secure it. If, for any reason, the first 
