Cultural Methods 125 
ditions. Two-rowed and four-rowed cultivators are both 
employed. The larger one is used almost exclusively for 
the larger acreages. Plates XI and XII and Figs. 11 
and 12 indicate some of the methods. 
Specific directions as to just when and how to cultivate 
are almost useless, since practices vary so much with con- 
ditions. The best method is the one that will most surely 
accomplish the ends sought: the aérating of the soil, the 
conservation of moisture, and the control of weeds. 
Each one of these would be enough to justify frequent 
cultivation; combined they make it imperative. Few 
farmers cultivate too much; many cultivate too little. 
A crop may be raised with very few cultivations, but 
every time the soil is properly stirred the yield of beets 
is increased. Just before the leaves cover the ground, 
the final cultivation should be given and it should be 
thorough but not deep. 
