| OCR Text |
Show and expensive, but the operation is , essentially so delicate, and requires 1 to be so thoroughly done, that up to te present t.mo. nothing in mechanical line has been invented j which can in the least degree per- j form the woiU of an active pair of bands and nimble fingers. The space between the rows of , beets can be worked and cleaned of j weeds by any of th.e common hand ! hoes or cultivators used by most farmersjor if the rows are far enough apart to, admit it, a hone cultivator may be used care being taken not to cover the young plants with loose dirt or clods. Directly following this hoeing or cultivation comes the thinning out process which can be done equally as well by children, as by grown up people. There is two fold object to be attained in this part of the work first the thinning out of the beets to the required distance apart in the rows, and secondly, of equal importance with the thinning the working or stirring up of every inch of that ground between the beets which could not be reached by the band hoe or cultivators. It is not sufficient to see merely ! that the plants are left at the proper intervals apart in the row, but every bit of the soil in between and around them should be thoroughly stirred and loosened to unite a depth, even if there is not a weed in sight. This can best be done by means of a very narrow short handled hoe or other' other hand tool, and should be as coE.sckntiou.il" done as the ; thinning; for by this operation the Deet is given new life and vigor,and from that period on will develop with a rapidity which will astonish and please the most sanguine. Where the beet 1 are very thick and uniform in the rows, the thinning cart be greatly expedited by cutting through the row with the sharp corner cor-ner of a comuon hand hoe, taking pains to always leave a small thrifty bunch of plants not over five nor less than three inches apart. Retain the largttt and Izf. plant in each bufch by carefully tikmg hold of it with the left hand, and gently pressing it dowuward, while you lake the onei to be removed with the right hand giving mem a twist and pull them straight up, for by so doing the one which it is de sired to retain ii apt to be so badly loosened and disturbed that it will take many days before regaining its former life. Never leave two plants tight elose together, for they will never amount to anything in weight. After the surplus beets have been removed, carefully press the soil about the root; of that which has beenretainjahtamr0-u ul, jt with ligbl fresh, soil, so that no por-tj.on por-tj.on of the root is left expoied. After this work is once thoroughly done the crop is almost secured, and only requires the ordinary cultivation cultiva-tion and attention given by good farmers to corn, potatoes and other vegetables. In conclusion we would say don't be afraid of putting too much labor on your beet patch. Do this work as it should be done, and at the earliest possible moment. If youx stand of beets will warrent you in working them at all,, you can afford to do it well;, for the sugar beet responds cheerfully to every inducement to make it thrive, and every dollar judiciously expended in its cultivation will bring- its- reward in increased yield per acre and a high percentage' of saccharine in the root. Lett i Banner 11 I NTS TO BEET FARMERS. In growing the sugar-beet,farmers must first put their land which is to receive the seed, in the very best possible condition, and then plant sufficient seed to ensure them a full and uniform stand of young plants. The desired stand once secured, next in order comes the most important part of the work connected with the pullure of the beet, . e., the hoeing and thinning out. This work mtist b.e thoroughly and carefully do,ne, as u.pon is depends in so great a measure meas-ure the ultimate success of the crop, t,h at the loss occassioned by any neglect neg-lect or carelessness at this period could not be overcome by any amount of future attention. The proper time to thin out the beets, is just as soon as it is determine deter-mine theit all the seed which will germinate has made its appearance and the plants are large enough to be readily distinguished from the weeds and can be safely handled say when they have three or four well defined leayes. Numerous suggestions have been made, and many experiments tried, in behalf of s.o,nc cheaper and more expedient method of thinning out beets, than the present tedious process pro-cess of hand culture, which at first siht, certainly appears very arduous |
