The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1923-05-11
RRICATE SUGAR
BETS EARLY
BY George Stewart, Utah Expert
ment Station

mcnt Stdtfon
1t is frequently profitable to irrf-
gate sugar-beets much earlier than II
usually done 1t is often necessary
to irrigate them while the land is still
rather moist underneath. This Is be-
cause OF the grounds drying out at
the surface for two or three inches In
depth before the beets have grown to
sufficient size to penetrate into the
deep soil When this takes place
there is a layer on top that is com
pletely devoid of soil moisture and
which would not be troublesome If
the beets reached well below it.
Unfortunately, it happens too often
that this drying takes place before the
beets have grown beyond the dried
area. When this condition does arise
it il necessary to irrigate the surface
in order to wet it sufficiently to per-
init the beets to continue growing.
Usually only one such irrigation 10
necessary because before the time for
a second application has come around
the beet roots have gone down some
distance into the damp soil.
This first irrigation should not be
a heavy application. Only enough wa
ter is necessary to thoroughly mois-
ten the dry surface.
1t is sometimes advocated that on
ly each alternate space have fur
row in It. 1t has been found better
at the Experiment Station, however.
to make rather small burrows and
place these close to the sugar-beets
on one side of the space rather than
trying to irrigate in the middle.
When the furrow is made in the mid
die of the space between two rows
rather heavy applications aren eces-
sary in order to cause the water to
soak over to the beets.
There is an old idea prevalent In
much of the State which says that
crops should not be irrigated until II
is absolutely necessary. This, how
ever, is not true on account OF the
fact that the plants wilt very easily
and begin to suffer at once for water.
There has been nothing by way of ir-
rigation that has been so harmful as
delaying the first application until |
the crops suffer seriously. Many of !
the beets die from lack of moisture |
and many others are so weakened |
that disease are able to take hold
Of them.
One of the most noticeable things
about our experimental work on beets
las been that beets properly manur-
~ disease to only a very slight ex-
ent whereas beets that lack both
ertility and moisture are sometimes
attacked to an extent of practically
90 per cent.
In 1919 when there was such q
vas observed that, on poor land and
N late irrigated beets, the injury
vas about twice as great and in some
asses five times as great as on land
hat had been properly cared for In
hese two respects. People who
an were without exception struck by
ne great resistance to disease OF
eets that had been MANFRED and ir.
gated.
In this connection 1t is also wis.,
ON to see that seedbeds are proper
: packed OF the fact that loose ,
lrface permits lack Of soil moisture
? evaporation. This creates the
lme condition that delayed irrigation
ould bring about. Very loose seed :
IDS and rather steep slopes are r
UGH more likely to suffer from di- |
asses Of any sort than where the |
oper conditions are provided.
Here is one of the opportunities for
grower of sugar beets to stop large
ak in his income. On the average c
e sugar beet yields are only about Z
e-hah of what they should be and q
re is one of the easy things to do to :
.rease his yield.