Rocky Ford enterprise., 1908-03-27
FOR BE ETTER
BEET CULTURE
Jesse II. nuuum In tue
Beet sugar Gazette


Beet sugar growers throughout the
greater portion OF the beet producing
area now face the scasorable operas
! ton OF preparing the seed bed and
| getting the beet seed into The ground
where I! will remain during the sue
cccding FIVE months moe or less
And his methods in starting the sea-
sons work will without l'g realizing
the TACT, determine largely The grow
er's soil management throu .hout the
growing season. Although in every
case the grower is not fully aware
OF the fact, his success with the
forthcoming crop depends conSidera-
blv upon 4 good beginning: while
even more important still Is tie kind
OF culture he intends to give the.
growing bccts. To many a farmer
the problem of culture appears com
paraiivcly simple. and he knows OF
but one general line OF operation to
mature his crop. In this he is un.
informed, and the surprising fact oc-
casionaliy comes to ligh, tha, even
experienced beet agricnl,uris;s are
prone TO carclessncss and indifference
in matters OF scientific methods OF
culture.
Many farmer is afraid OF the
"'Eu NNlrUEiNCs uNt tnat term alone
can adequately describe the course OF
true success in prcscn; day farming.
and particularly in sugar beet culture.
In looking a; this matter OF bee;
cropping we may as well regard bn;
two primary considerations, namely.
economy in handling. and tho result
ant good crop. In other words. the
greatest possible having Of time, ma
icriai and labor; and crop Of the
highest marketable value. The ex-
pert agrieulturist Is as much con-
crrned with these principles as Is the
grower and ofttimes as negligent, In
their consideration.
a few words about the seed bed.
rs its preparation comes FIRST IN the
seasons itinerary. Right through
tho growing season tho physical con
di,ion Of your soil will be OF the ut
most importance. This and water
arc the two prime factors. We must
make 4 good beginning by securing
frs, Of all suitable seed bed. The
careful reader Of this journal will re-
member how constantly !all plowins
has been gr.ged. Very cary spring
piowins will. however, aeeorp'lss. =
much oi tho good rcsui, attributed TO
the earlier method. Weeds arc as
large an element; IN beet growing as
with other crops. They get y re-
maFksbiy early start in their root
age. whatever the condition oi soil.
and throughout their permitted
growth absorb inmensc quantities oi
moisture. II you break your ground
as early ir tho spring n. permissible.
this advanced weed growth will br
dc s,foyci. Should ihc pests bc a.
lowed TO gain growth they will be-
conc OF such slsc during the carly
appearance Of the young hce,,. and
Just before they make their appear
anee. as to choke tho iaitcr's prog
rcss. and IN addition take up much vt
tho moisture intended for the seed
balls and their rcsui;an, sprouts OF
course. these weeds cannot be killed
jus; q, that time. as the operation
would result in an equal destruction
oi the bccts.
But the weed question is not all
To large extent the soil needs air.
Ing out. This will bring abou, sew
mineral cicrncuts-csscrtiai to crop
raEc-cneoufaE the growth and DC.
vciopmcnt of bacteria. which Is
equally essential: and will likewise
pioyc splendid preparation tof tho
| final process Of getting the seed bod
in good shape. | regard the follow
ing ss adequate preparation OF the
Ct iornd for beet seed:
Early and deep plowinF. going
down from ono 60 two inches deeper
than last time: immediate disk har-
/ rowing: resting OF tho ground until
/ seed tinic. then another diskinr cr
az least several good workings with
;outh-lafruw. Also a fine tooth l'sr-
row may properly pTceeie tho ifiIl