STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 301 



if they are at the above-mentioned distances from each other, two 

 million and a half of beets can be stored in pits on a single hectare. 



Another method, which is more economical and generally used, con- 

 sists in placing the beets in longitudinal heaps, about two metres wide 

 at the base. 



At harvesting, a thin layer of earth spread over the sides only is 

 sufficient. 



This allows the whole mass to become cool, and when the temperature 

 of the air falls below the temperature of the beet, which is often the 

 case in the fall of the year, the air permeating the interstices of the 

 mass, and being necessarily at the same temperature as the beet itself, 

 has a tendency to rise. The thin layer of earth covering the sides allows 

 a sufficient circulation of air, which takes the place of the warm air 

 escaping at the top. The proper temperature is thus obtained, which 

 prevents the beets from being heated to such a degree as to cause their 

 decomposition, which would take place were they entirely covered. The 

 precaution of covering the beets with a thin layer of earth at harvesting 

 is of great service, as it insures them against the hoar frost. As the 

 season advances, to protect them from the heavier frosts, it will be 

 necessary only to add more earth to the whole surface. 



This method of conservation answers all purposes, provided proper 

 care is taken. The great surface of the walls of the piles, and the large 

 amount of earth to be heaped up, render this method, nevertheless, quite 

 an expensive one. 



Still another method has been devised, less expensive than the two 

 preceding oneH. The beets are placed in heaps from six to eight metres 

 wide at the base, and from two to three metres in height, with gently 

 sloping sides covered with earth. The heap, which extends as far as 

 the supply of beets and the surface of the ground permits, is flat on top, 

 and covered with straw alone. 



The only precaution to be taken is to admit the air to the heaps from 

 below, so that it may freely penetrate the whole mass. In order to 

 effect this, air drafts are established by digging channels in the earth, 

 before storing the roots, to the depth and width of forty centimetres, 

 running transversely to the heaps, and of sufficient length to extend 

 beyond the pile when covered with earth, in order that the openings 

 may be free. This being done, the piles are covered with earth on the 

 sides and with straw on the top, and the air channels left open from 

 the outside. The circulation of the air will be free and in proportion to 

 the difference between the temperature of the pile and that of the out- 

 side atmosphere, and by this means good ventilation will be effected. 

 The only care required is to tend the air drafts, and not open them 

 unless the temperature of the outside air is above the freezing point. 

 For this purpose small heaps of dung are kept ready near each opening, 

 with which they are to be stopped when the nights are too cold. In 

 order to ascertain the temperature of the mass, so that it can, when 

 desired, be maintained at a fixed point, there are set at different places in 

 the mass channels made of small boards, jointed together, so as to form 

 an open-work frame, extending into the pile about half its height, in 

 which a thermometer can be placed, which may be inspected from day 

 to day, in order that the progress of cooling may be watched. It is 

 thought that the temperature is sufficientlj' low at three or four degrees 

 above the freezing point, at which time the cooling process is stopped 

 and the openings closed. The straw on the top of the heap will be 

 sufficient to protect the beets from ordinary frosts. Should heavy frosts 



