10 BULLETIN 995, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
small valleys mentioned above are sometimes used to supplement the 
beet crop produced in other sections provided the hauling distance 
b} T wagon or rail is not too great. 
Hills. — Generally a hilly country is not satisfactory for sugar- 
beet culture, especially if the hills are inclined to wash. The nature 
of the soil of the hills is an important factor in determining whether ( 
sugar beets can be grown. Hauling heavy loads in a hilly country 
is also a matter of serious consideration. Usually from 3 to 5 tons 
of beets are hauled at each load and if hills must be climbed the 
loads must necessarily be reduced and the cost of hauling conse- 
quentty increased. This in itself may be a limiting factor in the 
production of sugar beets in some otherwise favorable sugar-beet 
areas. 
Level land. — In irrigated countries it is desirable that the surface 
of the soil be sufficiently level to permit uniform irrigation. A per- 
fectly level area, however, is objectionable because of the difficulty in 
spreading the water over the entire field with sufficient rapidity. 
This is especially objectionable in the case of sugar beets, which 
should be watered between the rows only, as shown in Plate I, figure 
2. Again, when the land, especially in irrigated sections, is very 
level and poorly drained alkali frequently appears on the surface 
after repeated irrigations. Sugar beets will tolerate a small amount 
of alkali, but all crops are injured by excessive quantities of alkali 
in the soil, especially when the plants are young and tender. 
Rolling land. — Other things being equal, moderately rolling land 
is more desirable for sugar-beet culture than either extremely hilly 
or very level areas. This is especially true in those sections where 
sugar beets are produced under rainfall conditions. In irrigated 
sections rolling land is not so desirable unless the topography of / 
the country is such that the area under cultivation can not be irrigated 
readily. Under irrigation conditions it is desirable that the land 
have an even surface with a gentle slope of at least 7 feet to the 
mile. If the slope is too marked the irrigation water passes over it 
too rapidly unless special care is taken in applying the water. 
CLIMATE. 
One of the most important factors in determining the suitability 
of a given area for sugar-beet culture is the climate. Frequently all 
other conditions are favorable, but some climatic factor renders 
sugar-beet growing unprofitable. 
Temperature. — Successful sugar-beet growing has been confined to 
the temperate region in practically all beet-sugar producing coun- 
tries. Frequently sugar beets will produce a satisfactory tonnage of 
roots in warmer areas, but for some reason they generally are not 
sufficiently rich in sugar to make them profitable in sugar making. 
