20 BULLETIN 748, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
prevails on the heavier soil types. Again, after blocking and thin- 
ning it is often advisable to use a roller to smooth the surface and to 
firm the soil around the young and tender plants. 
The average labor requirements and cost per acre were practically 
the same, regardless of whether the work was done before or after 
planting. 
The cost per acre for one time over on individual farms ranged 
from 20 cents to 50 cents per acre. The use of a 1-man and 2-horse 
crew was universal in all districts studied. 
PLANTING. 
Planting covered a period from April 5 to June 1. Most of the 
work, however, was done during a period extending from April 20 
to May 20. In a few instances, where the seed was planted on sandy 
soil, wind storms blew it out and it was necessary ‘to replant a 
fractional part of the acreage. These areas were so small, however, 
that no charge has been included for seed used in replanting. (See 
Table XI.) 
TABLE XI.—Planting. 
| aac Hours of labor per 
Per cent | _4 acre. Labor 
of all plewied : cost per 
records. Ae acre. 
| % Man Horse. 
(OR ROY tar 7 Baye A ciate iy Oe ees Re ar in nee eT RAR ae eh AM 100 15.13 1 A113 $0. 41 
TANITA Re SPROUL N Wet eeu Ne Elen maa Lali EY: pelos eget Mea rae 100 9.54 2, 1. 92 -41 
GrandehRapidSkeass senor ae. Bie eras outpaces wie deat sk 89 6. 80 1.49 1.98 | 44 
IN@coy ests a Oluts <ogodasousbsesongsadsssesousosoue | 99 15.77 1.02 2. 04 | - 40 
The seed was purchased from the sugar companies, at a cost of 15 
cents per pound. The average rate for seeding for all areas was 15 
pounds per acre. A few men used a little less, a few more. The 
lowest amount reported was 9 pounds and the highest 22 pounds 
per acre. On four farms in the Grand Rapids district the seed was 
sown with a hand drill at a cost of 73 cents per acre. One farmer 
in northwestern Ohio hired another operator to do the planting. 
These farms are not included in the table. 
The seed is planted in continuous, solid rows to insure a good stand. 
Later, when the-seed has germinated and the young plants have 
pushed through the ground, they are thinned out to a suitable dis- 
tance. This operation will be discussed under a separate heading. 
Seed was planted at a depth of from one-half to 1 inch. 
Ordinary grain drills and special beet drills (fig. 13) were used to 
do the planting. Where grain drills are used all the hoes are re- 
moved except the ones distributing the seed, and they may or may 
not be equipped with press wheels. The special beet drills are of two 
