The Ordway new era., 1908-04-24
BETTER BEET CULTURE
BY Jesse ii. BuiIum, an Authority on
Irrigation and Beet Culture.

| I'''''' ~ "hN'l ihl'lN ever benefits tn,
beets. That statement seems false ON
the face OF IL, but it is true ncvcrthe.
less that capillary water alone flourish.
rs ana moistcns the growing beet
plant and other plants. Now we yet AT
the main principle Of proper culture.
namely, the careful, intelligent man.
agemcnt OF the soil to cOnsery,
moisture that comes from whatever
source, and to facilitate plant nuurish-
mcnt through the several channels
nature has provided aside from the
elementary principle OF water supply.
The soil must first Of all be loose
enough and yet compact enough to
admit OF air circulation, capillary ac-
tion, and bacteria propagation and
growth; while 1t must ever be borne in
mind that too loose IA soil will have an
opposite and detrimental effect. Next.
the rOOtlcts will want a soft aud like.
wise compact soil 10 ramify through
II the soil is as IL should be IL will
take up and hold moisture like IA
sponge, and give 1t out Through capl-
larry action as fast as top soil con
ditiOns require. know OF cases where
winter irrigation has been practiccG,
followed by the most thorough and
scientific preparation OF the ground,
that no water was wanted or us, d
throughout the entire season Of nvc
months beet growth. and splendid
crop was secured. Irrigation water
was handy and could have been used
IL desired. 1t is possible to so prepare
the soil and To So manipulate IL
through the season as to reduce To
practically nothing the usual loss by
evaporation and scepagc. Whether the
water comes by rainfall or by artificial
methods. IL must first be turned into
the natural capillary system prevail
ing in the soil before it can be OF
much benefit to the crop.
Cultivation is the basis Of scientific
agriculture today; and am led to be-
lievc that this has especial bearing
upon the raising OF sugar bects, keep
ing in mind all the while that we re-
gard this and water as the two prime
factors. Cultivation should begin
when the beets are very young and
continue without interruption until
the size OF the roots and leaves renders
this work impracticable. Bear in mind
this one thing: The reason why so
much water, comparatively, is rcquir-
ed for adequate culture, is because Of
loss by evaporation. The plant uses
but small amount. Through culti-
walton, that is, Intelligent working Of
the surface soil, evaporation may be
very materially reduced and this loss
will consequently play but small part
in the work of the field. ltneed hard
ly be said that, oftentimcs, mere
quantity of water lost or saved is but
comparatively small item: but no
one is going to forget that alongside
this staCd other and more important
considerations. The veXatiOns and
draw backs incident to irrigation are
features Of the farmers perpleXities
not to be ignored, with the attendant
provoking crusts and alternating sur
felt and shortage Of moisture. Says
government bulletin, in dealing with
this subject:
"a loose soil with large pores has
low capillary power and Will ABSORB
Int little water from moist suil In
contact with IL; therefore layer OF
loose soil covering the moist-soil res
eryOir will conserve the water IN the
latter by reducing evaporation from
IT.. IT. is well established by the eX-
nerience of farmers as well as by direct
Instrumentation that layer OF loose
dry soil three or four inches deep Is
effective In preventing the drying out
of soils. If this mulch be maintained
through the season by proper cultiva'
tion. H. is more beneficial than straw
mulch. The soil mulch and the cul.
tiyation to produce II cause the plant
to root deeply, and the aeration OF the
soil improved. To be most ehectiVe
the surface tilage must be kept up.
The soil must be cultivated after each
rain Or irrigation" and (the writer
would add before each ram or irr'ga-
zion II possible, In fact, the more you
cultivate the heavier and better VIII
be your beet crop.
Thoroughbred White wyandotte eggs