Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1914-12-25
SUGAR BETS
GOOD ON SLOPE

- 49,
in the sugar beet districts. The
yields also have been good.
These trials have been carried on
in all parts of the state. Farmers
have ~co-opera.ed in the work and ex.
per!ments have been made at the sub
stations as well as the central sta
ton at the agricultural college.
1t was found that a soil very rich
did not produce as good beets as one
just in good condition for producing
a good corn crop.
The complete results of the trials
are given in Circular No. 2 issued by
the North Dakota experiment station.
The circular states that "As a whole
the season of 1913 seemed favorable
for sugar be is, both the average per
cent of sugar in the beets and the av-
erage percent of purity co.efficien,
being as high or higher than in pre-
vious years. Moreover, a comparison
OF these figures with those of beets
grown in the principal beet producing
districts Of the United States shows
that North Dakota can produce beets
of excellent quality"
An average of twenty-one trials CIV
en- in reports of the North Dakota ex-
pertinent farms shows a yield of 1872
tons per acre. This state can pro-
duce a large tonnage CT excellent
beets, comparing most favorably in
these respects with those districts
where beet sugar factories are al
ready in operation.
There have been a total of five
hundred and sixty-one (561) samples
of sugar beets grown in North Dako-
ia and analysed since 1891. The aver
age percent sugar for these samples
is 1917, and the average percent pur-
ity is IS. Tables are included here,
giving a general summary of all trials
reported fer the state. AS indicated
in the 1912 report of the experiment
station, the extreme western and
southwestern portions of the state
seem to be especially favorable to the
production of beets of high sugar con.
tent.
For MISUNDERSTANDING yield per
acre in tons, go; average p recent SUI
gar in beets, 1872; average percent
purity co.efficient. S3.1.
For North Dagota 1913-Average
yield per acre in tons, none; average
percent sugar In beets, 14.75; average
percent purity co-efficient, S1.8.
Table 2 gives the results Of the
analyses Of the samples fer the year
1913. Table 3 contains information
as to the cultural treatment of the
samples. Table 4 gives a summary
of the results for 913 by varieties.
Table 5 gives information in regard
to the varieties used in the 1913 ex-
periments. Table 6 shows the rela-
ton CT the sugar content to the date
Of the harvest for the year 1918.
Tables 7 and s give meteorological
data for Fargo. Table 9 shows a
summary of all sugar beet experiment
reported to date for the state OF
North Dakota.
The following directions were sent
to all growers to whom seed was
given:
.s2. SELECTION OF LAND: Choose
the most productive land upon the
farm, such soil as will yield a good
crop of corn, wheat or potatoes. Sc
lect a plot that was in a cultivated
crop last year, in order to have as
little trouble with weeds as possible.
Avoid newly broken land, gravely
soils, land strongly alkaline, and
freshly MANFRED soil. '-"
2. PREPARATION OF LAND FOR
PLANTING: If possible, select land
foJ1 p1o1voJ &D n IoptH ~ Q ~ ~ tpoh |
es. If you cannot do this, pillow in the
spring to a depth of 8 to 10 inches,
following the pillow, If possible, with a
subsoiler to a d pth of 6 to 7 inches.
Thoroughly cultivate the surface OF
the soil until it is reduced to perfect
filth. Continue this cultivation up to
the day before planting, if the ground
has to stand any time before seeding.
3. PLANTING THE SEED: Plant
by hand or by the garden drill. Sow
the seed in a continuous drill at the
rate of Is pounds per acre. Cover to
the depth of IL to 2 inches according
to the soil moisture, the more mois-
ture the less depth planted. Space
the rows 20 inches apart or far
enough for horse cultivation go in.).
Plant the seed as early in the spring
as practicable, provided there is sui
ficient moisture and warmth to cause
termination. Plant, if possible, the
first week in May.
4. CULTIVATION. Cultivate the
field with a spike harrow before the
plants come up and continue c%ultiva-
ton until the beets are large enough
for row cultivation. Cultivate con-
t%inuously to retain sell moisture, de-
stroy weeds, and TO prevent the soil
from crusting over. Cultivate regu-
larly until the beet leaves cover the
ground anG make 1urther cultivation
impossible.
BUNCHING; THLNNING-When
the beets show three or four leaves,
they should be punched and thinped:
The punching is best accomplished
with a short.handled hoe. One stroke
CT this implement taxes out all the
.beets in the rows except small bunch
es from 6 to 10 inches apart. From
these punches should be removed by
hand ali the beet plants but one, the
largest and healthiest. When thin
ming it is a good plan to give the
ground a thorough hand hoeing. IT
the thinning is put off too long the
crop viii suffer.
6. KEEPING NOTES UPON THE
EXPERIMENT.: Keep a careful rec
ord of the dates when all the above
onerations were performed; also