The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1904-05-14
To Beet Growers.

Definite information In regard to
the most successful growing Of beets
should be of considerable interest to
some of the beet men at this county
at least, and THE REPUBLICAN here
presents tn government report on
"Planting and termination. In our
next issue will be presented an article
on "Bunching and Thinning" The
report says of planting, ETC."
1.-THE soil being put In right condi-
tion, and containing sufficient moist
ure for termination, the seed should
be sOwn with beet seeder In rows
which are Is to 20 inches apart, the
distance depending on local circum-
stances and kinds of soil. 1t Is better
to use a specially designed beet seeder
which is adjustable as regards width
of rows and amount Of seed per acre.
The amount of seed usually required
Is Is to 90 pounds per acre. The seeds
are dropped quite close together, the
regulation Of the amount per acre be-
ing governed by the proximity of the
seeds In the row.
IL Is usually anticipated that more
seeds will terminate and come up
than required. This is to insure a
stand of beets, which Is absolutely
essential to the success Of the crop.
The beet seeder can be adjusted so as
to plant from an inch to an inch and a
half In depth, according to the kind of
soil and its conditions as regards
moisture, warmth, etc. Care should
be taken not to plant TOO deep. I'm
til experience shall have given him a
definite idea of his own, the grower
should seek advice regarding the prop
er depth from some person better
posted than himself as to planting
sugar beets in his locality.
Some method Of cOmpacting the
soil around the seed Is generally de-
sirable. This is usually accomplished
by rolling. The smooth surface left
by roller Is Objectionable In some
localities, for instance, where the soil
Is sandy and there is much wind, thus
drifting the sand against the young
beets, cutting them of or injuring
them. Under such circumstances the
ground Is usually "planked.' This Is
accomplished by drawing platform
arrangement made of planks over the
soil which leaves the surface consider
rougher than does the roller.
Care must be used to plant at the
right time the same as with any other
crop. This must be determined by
the moisture In the soil, It's tempera-
ture, and the weather.
In from seven to ten days. II the
soil Is warm and moist enough, the
beets will begin to make their ap-
pearance. The real struggle on the
part Of the grower for crop begins at
this juncture. There are several kinds
Of emergencies that may arise at this
tender stage Of the plant; frost or a
hail storm can do them considerable
damage, and they may have to be re-
planted. In replanting 1t Is not good
practice to undertake to reset beets
extensively.
This terminating period Is the
anxious time of the beet grower. A
beating rain may crust the surface to
such an extent that the beets can not
penetrate IL. In such cases valuable
results may be produced by using a
harrow to break mp the crust OF the
surface. At every stage of the crop
the bects must be kept clean and Guilt
walton must begin at the earliest pos
sible moment. Sometimes they are
cultivated soon after planting. These
first civilizations are accomplished
with special beet cultivatorS, which
work several rows at time. These
cultivators are adjustable to the
width of the rows, and usually have,
for the first cultivation, small, loose,
sharp knives running parallel with
the surface, and designed to cut of
the grass and weeds just below the