Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1899-07-21
SUGAR BEETs.
Points In Growing Them Under Ir-
rigatlOEa.

Points In Growing Them Under r.
%rigntioE.
In his interesting report on the prog
ress Of the beet sugar industry in the
United States in 1898 Special Agent
Charles T. Saylor says: I believe it is
maintained in Europe that beets cannot
be successfully grown under irrigation
at least it is seriously questioned,
but the experience at Lehj, Utah and
Eddy, N. NJ, has forever exploded that
theory. There is a large amount Of
land available for the raising Of sugar
beets by irrigation in Colorado, Utah,
Montana, Wyoming, western Nebraska
and other states having like conditions.
There are a few things that must yet
be learned about the application Of ir-'
rigation to growing sugar beets, but
the obstacles are fast being overcome.
Irrigation is especially adapted to rails
ing sugar beets where the particular
region is favored with rainfall at plant
ing time. Experience has demonstrated
that irrigation should be held off as
long as possible and applied as little as
possible. Water should not be applied
by irrigation until the natural supply
has failed, and even then the grower
must be careful not tc apply too much.
which is as disastrous az not enough.
l have learned by talking with those
experienced in the application of water
by irrigation that the land tends to dry
out quickly after being irrigated and
to become packed; hence cultivation
must follow as soon as practicable after
irrigation. 1t has been noticed that the
beet has Il tendency to send down its
lap root deep into the soil, and especial
ly is this true in the earlier stages, if
the necessities of the case demand it..
in order to procure moisture. But if the
water is applied too lavishly in the be-
ginning this tendency Of the beet is ar
rested and it shows adisposition to rely
on the artificial supply Of moisture near
the surface rather than to seek it's own
at greater depths. Thus irrigation may
interfere with a natural tendency that
is desirable in the growth ant maturity
of the beet. The effect will be under
these circumstances, that the taproot
will divide and the beets become bunchy
and sprangled. assuming a form entire
ly undesirable. The beet may show a
tendency to droop its leaves slightly
and to become lighter in color, but this
does not indicate that irrigation is
needed. Irrigation must not be resorted
to until necessity demands it. Whiting
of the leaves OF curling up Of the same
does not necessarily indicate need Of ir-
rigation. If the beet recovers it's vigor
in the evening, it is a sufficient indica-
tion that it is getting along all right.
When it begins to suffer from drought,
the tendency will be to droop and get
darker in color, and it will not appa-
rently recover in vigor with the ap-
proach of the cool evening. This is the
time to consider the question Of apply
ing irrigation.
In regions where the beets are started
In the spring with moisture from rain
fall it is the aim Of the grower to pro-
duce his crop with four or five irriga-
tions Of the beets. After they begin to
ripen all irrigation must cease, for the
same eason that makes it undesirable
to have rainfall after the beets are ripe.