GROWING SUGAR BEETS IN MICHIGAN AND OHIO. LAD: 
sizes; the 2-row and the 4-row drill, each of which has press- wheel 
attachments which exert a uniform pressure on the drill row. This 
firms the soil and aids in retaining sufficient moisture to insure a 
quick germination of the seed. The use of grain drills for seeding 
was common in three sections. Forty-four drills were reported at 
Caro, 5 at Alma, and 11 in the Grand Rapids area. In northwestern 
Ohio special 4-row beet drills were used exclusively. The custom in 
this area has been for the sugar companies to rent beet drills to the 
farmers at a nominal charge of 15 cents per acre. 
In northwestern Ohio 20-inch rows were found on all farms with 
the exception of four, where 24-inch rows were reported. In all other 
districts the width of row varied from 20 inches to 28 inches. 
I'ig. 18.—Planting seed with a special beet drill. 
One-horse 2-row drills were used only in the Grand Rapids and 
Alma areas. Nine men in the Alma district and 7 at Grand Rapids 
used this type of drill. The labor charge for seeding on these farms 
was 55 cents per acre, while the men in the same areas who used a 
2-horse, 4-row drill performed the work at a labor cost of about 40 
cents per acre. 
CULTIVATING. 
Sugar beets in these areas were cultivated an average of about five 
times. The first cultivation occurs as soon as the rows can be seen 
plainly. The cultivator is equipped with knives or crowfeet for 
killing weeds. Blocking and thinning usually follow the first culti- 
vation. All subsequent cultivations are usually made with bull- 
tongue attachments, which stir the soil to a greater depth and create 
a dust mulch. If weather conditions permit, it is customary to run 
