Gilpin observer., 1914-03-05
ABOUT Beet GROWING
SUGAR BEETs WILL GROW ON
ANY GOOD, WELL DRAINED SOIL.
Even so-called Muck Soils VIII Pro-
duce Good Beets, II Properly
Worked.
western Newspaper Union New. Service.

properly worked Will produce satisfac-
tory sugar beets. provided the eli
matte conditions are favorable. Be-
sides being we'll drained, the soil
should be able to hold a sufficient
amount Of moisture. Even the So
called muck soils will produce good
beets If they are well drained and
properly worked. These facts re
emphasized in a new bulletin issued
by the u. 8. Department OF Agricul-
ture entitled "Sugar-Beet Growing
Under Humid Conditions"
The new bulletin, which may be
had free on application to the depart
ment, recommends the following
measures to beet growers:
Select the field for sugar beets with
reference to the quality of the sur
face and subsoils, the condition OF
drainage, and their fitness to follow
the preceding crop.
Plow thoroughly and deeply in the
fall il possible.
Make the seed bed firm below as
we'll as near the surface.
Plant in the spring as soon as the
soil and weather conditions are right.
Use plenty Of seed to insure a good
stand. and do not plant too deep.
Hold the moisture in contact with
the seed by the use of the press
wheels and the roller.
Cultivate as soon as the rows can
be seen, but do not throw the dirst
over the beets.
Block and thin the beets just as
soon as they are large enough to
handle.
Space with reference to the
strength and moisture-holding capac-
ity of the soil.
In thinning. aim to leave the strong
est and best beets.
Rotate with other crops to improve
the soil condition and to eliminate
pests.
Keep plenty of live stock to utilize
the beet tops and other feed and to
supply stable manure.
In harvesting the beets see that
they are all gathered, properly topped.
and as free as possible from dirt.
Cover the beets as soon as topped
to prevent evaporation.
with a view to improving soil condi-
tions.
For the retention of sufficient moist
ure for crop production the supply of
humus plays an important part. A
soil that is well drained and at the
same time properly supplied with hui
mus will not only hold enough moist
ure for the needs of the plants but it
will permit the air to circulate
through 1t and enable the soil organ
isms to thrive and multiply, thereby
liberating an abundance of plant
food
The nature Of the subsoil has an
important bearing upon the selection
of soil for sugar beet growing. Hard
pan subsoils should be avoided, espe-
cially II they are so near the surface
that they will interfere with the
proper growth and development of
the roots. Likewise. the very porous
or gravelly subsoils will not give the
best results with sugar beets. In gen.
eral, II a soil has been producing good
crops of corn. potatoes, etc. it will
produce good beets provided it re-
tiyation. In selecting 4 field for sugar
beets it is advisable. therefore, to note
the kind OF soil and its condition, es-
pecially with reference to drainage
and humus. the kind and quality of
the preceding crops. and the nature
and location of the subsoil.
The field selected should be reas-
onably free from weeds. since ex-
treme foulness of ground adds very
materially to the cost of growing
beets. The beet field must be kept
free from weeds if one expects to
obtain anything like satisfactory re-
suits. 1t is sometimes claimed that a
beet crop is Of great advantage in
freeing a field from weeds. This is
true II the ground is properly han
died, but one should see to 1t that not
too large n percentage of the profits
of the crop is consumed in fighting
the weeds. a condition which may be
avoided by careful attention to the
preceding crops with respect to weed
growth.
An average temperature OF about
TO- F. during the growing season will
usually give the best results in sugar
content Of the beets. Spring weather
has much to do with the success or
failure of sugar beet crop. A late
spring freeze following favorable
period for planting will frequently de-
stroy young plants. A well.drained
soil rich In humus will tend to offset
this to some extent.
Cool nights and moderately warm
days in the latter part OF summer and
in the fall are most favorable for the