The Lamar register., 1902-02-19
A Cash Crop,

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through using land which would
otherwise be devoted to producing
such staple products as corn, oats,
barley and wheat, it naturally has a
tendency to help the prices of these
crops. In order to secure profitable
results intensive culture is absolutely
necessary. The careful preparation
of the land, it's proper fertilization
and the careful culture of the grow
ing plant are three essential points
to success. Under irrigation sandy
soil yields much better than else
where, for the reason that when not
under irrigation at times of drouth
the soil is apt to dry out and check
the growth of the plant. 1t is said
that crop of ten tons of sugar beets
to the acre will remove ITO pounds
of nitrogen, 195 pounds of potash
and 40 pounds of phosphoiic acid.
1t follows, then, that that form of
fertilization which would restore these
elements in greatest degree and give
to the plant quick, vigorous growth
during the early portion of the sea
son is preferable to fertilizer oper-
ating uniformly throughout the sea-
son. By this means the beet is given
opportunity to ripen and store high
percentage of sugar during the latter
part Of the season.
A farmer beginning the cultivation
of sugar beets would do well to select
land that has produced good crops of
clover and alfalfa, as these leave the
soil in excellent condition for beet
crop. In the fall is unquestionably
the only proper time to plow for this
crop. And while not an actual neces-
sity, yet much better results are at
tanned by following the plowing with
subsoiling in the spring. N
Great pains should be taken in the
preparation of the seed bed, which
should be left fine and firm.
To make the seed bed, work the
soil four or five inches deep with
pulverizer or corn cultivator, once
lengthwise and once crosswIse. Then
harrow lengthwise and crosswise to
level the soil perfectly and finish
killing the weeds. Then pack the
surface soil to depth of two or
three inches with heavy roller;
never use plank float for this work,
as it does not pack the ground well,
and will leave it in shape to be blown
away or badly washed. The better
the soil is packed after weeds are
killed, the better the seeds will
sprout. This work must be done
when the ground is in good working
condition, yet not too damp, and the
working of wet soil must be avoided.
Beet seed requires considerable
moisture to germinate; therefore in
dry weather or in an average season
on land not under irrigation the seed
bed should be prepared and the seed
planted the same day, this being the
most efficient way for keeping the
moisture in the ground.
In the cultivation of the beet it is
almost impossible to cultivate too
much. The German says that 'the
sugar is hoed into the beet" Guilt
walton should be begun as early as
possible and the beets ought to be
cultivated at least twice before thin
ming.
In the arid regions careful atten-
ton should be given to the time and
amount of water applied by irrlga'
ton. This is governed largely by
the condition of the land when appll-
cation is made. The beets should
be given little or no water in the
latter part of the season when ripen
ing. If the growing beet can be sup
piled with the proper quantity OF
water at the proper time, its progress
toward maturity is meyer arrested,
and there is no tendency for the
plant to ripen permaturely and after