8o6 



The Cultivation of the Sugar-beet. [tan., 



in Germany that the yield, both of the crop and sugar, in- 

 creases steadily as the hoeings increase from one to three. 

 Knauer and Hollrung refer to some trials in which from one 

 to five hoeings were given, the times being arranged so that 

 the third hoeing on one plot was given at the same time as 

 the fifth hoeing on another plot. The yields increased with 

 the number of hoeings, as follows : — One hoeing, 6 tons per 

 acre; two hoeings, 7J tons; three hoeings, 9J tons; four 

 hoeings, 11J tons; and five hoeings, iif tons. 



"Singling" takes place, as with mangolds, six weeks or 

 so after planting, and considerable skill is necessary to do 

 this work with success, more than one seedling appearing 

 from one "seed" or fruit, and it is necessary to remove all 

 but the finest one at the distances apart decided upon with- 

 out injuring the specimen left. Singling should be done 

 about the time the plants have four leaves, as they then suffer 

 less than if the operation is delayed. 



When the crop is well forward and in full growth, as little 

 damage should be done to the foliage as possible, for the 

 leaves constitute the sugar factory of the plant, and if they 

 are removed more leaves must be produced to replace them, 

 and this naturally weakens the plant. The leaves bear an 

 important relation to the production of sugar, and it has been 

 found that the bulbs which are richest in sugar are those 

 which bear the most developed leaf system. The following 

 result is quoted by Deherain : — 



Ordinary Type. Improved. 



Weight of root 3*07 lb. I'go lb. 



Weight of leaves ... ... ... ... 0*62 1*17 



Weight of leaves per 100 of roots ... 20*00 61 '00 



Sugar per 100 of roots ... ... ... 9*94 I 4'4 2 



Harvesting the Crop. — Sugar-beets must be harvested 

 when "ripe," that is, when they cease growing, contain the 

 highest percentage of sugar, and are most pure. Such con- 

 ditions may generally be decided by the appearance of the 

 crop, the leaves becoming yellowish-green in colour, and 

 drooping more or less, some even falling flat on the ground. 

 About three-fourths of the foliage should have wilted, but 

 the central leaves should still be fresh and green. The 

 decision, however, should be made with care, since the 

 appearance described may to some extent follow prolonged 



