Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-02-05
Facts for Farmers, Stock
Breeders, Poultry Raisers.
Orehardists, Truckers and Gar
deaers-.-Queries and Answers
GROWING SUGAR BEETS;
WILL COME IN VIRGINIA

There is now much talk OF introduce
inS the sugar beet industry in Vir-
Simia and putting it in operation on Il
large scale. In view of this fact farm-
ers are already asking The Times
Dispatch Agricultural Department for
Information as 10 the cultivation Of
this beet
Any good soil f properly worked
VIII produce satisfactory sugar bcct.
PROVIDED the climatic conditions are
favorable. Besides being well drained
the soil should he able to hold a suf-
ficicnt amount OF moisture. Even the
So-callcd muck soils will produce good
bccts if they are we'll drained and
properly worked.
Select the field for sugar bcets with
reference TO the quality Of the surface
and subsoils tho condition of drain
age, and their fitness TO follow The
hlow thoroughly and deeply in the
fall IL possible.
Make the seed bed firm below az
well as near the surface.
RANT in the spring as soon as tho
SOL and weather conditions are right.
Use plenty of seed To insure II good
stand. and do not plant too deep
iold the moisture in contact with
the seed by the use of the press
wheels aud the roller.
h" seen. but do not throw The dirt
over the hccts
Block and thin the bects jus, as
soon as they are large enough to ham
die.
Space with reference to the strength
and moisture holding capacity Of the
soil.
In thinning. aim to leave tho strong
est and best bcets.
Rotate with other crops to improve
the soil condition and TO eliminate
pests.
Keep plenty OF live stock TO utilize
the bee; tops and other feed and to
supply stable manure.
In harvesting the bcets see that they
arc all gathered. properly topped and
as free as possible frotr dirt.
Cover the beetS as soon as topped
TO prevent evaporation.
Utilize beet tops. pulp and lin" with
view to improving soil conditions.
For tho retention of sufficient mots-
turc for crop production I'll" supply OF
humuS plays an important part. y
soil that * we'll drained and at the
same time properly supplied with hui
mus Will not only hold enough moiS-
tnrc for the needs Of the plants. but
ii will permit the air 10 circulate
through IL and enable the soil organ
isms to thrive and multiply. thereby
libcratinR an abundance Of plant food
The nature Of tho suhsoil has an
important hearing upon the selection
IF soil for SuSar-bect growing. Hard
pan subsoils should he avoided. rspc-
cially If they are near the surface
that they will interior" with the
proper growth and development of the
roots. Likewise, the very porous or
rravclly subsoilS will not give the best
results with sugar beets. In general
# Il soil has been producing good crops
Of corn, potatoes. etc. II will produce
good hects provided ii receives the
proper preparation and cultivation. In
selecting a field for sugar bects il IL
tdvisabl therefore. To note the kind
Of soil and its condition. especially
with reference To drainage and humus.
she kind and quality of tho preceding
crops, and the nature and location OF
the SuhSoil.
The field selected should he reason
ably free from weeds. since extreme
foulncSS of ground adds very material
~ t" the cost OF growing hccts. The
i"e' field must he kept free from weeds
II one expects to obtain anything like
satisfactory results. II is sometimes
claimed that beet crop Is of great
advantage in freeing a field from
weeds. This is true IL the ground is
properly handled. but one should sec
10 II that not too large n percentages
az tho profits OF the crop is consumed
in hgh,inr tina weeds condition
which may be avoided h.? careful at