SUGAR BEET FOR STOCK FEEDING. 271 



simple, being merely to stir the ground often and keep it free from 



weeds. 



Harvesting. In ordinary seasons the middle of October is a 

 good time for harvesting this crop. Four years out of five, the 

 third week of October might do, but it is not safe to pass the 

 middle of the month with the crop unharvested. This beet can be 

 lifted by hand without the use of a fork. The roots when pulled 

 are left lying in the rows until dry, the tops are removed either 

 by wrenching oil" by hand, or cutting with a knife. If the knife is 

 used, care should be taken not to injure the crown. As the tops 

 are removed place the roots in heaps to dry and go through the 

 sweating process, previous to their removal to the cellar. Protect 

 them at night, and from storms with their own leaves. After 

 three or four days they can be carted to the cellar, and stored for 

 winter use. If stored dry they will keep sound, even if hundreds 

 of bushels are placed in one pile. 



Yield. Twenty- eight to thirty-two tons per acre are common, 

 in fact, about the average of well cultivated crops. Forty tons 

 per acre is the largest crop yet reported with us. Beets 

 averaging T pounds, standing 18 by 30 inches, would produce this 

 yield. This is far below the yield of mangolds in England and 

 France, or even in this country. Dr. Loring reports raising a few 

 years since, 48 tons per acre. 60 to TO tons is not an uncommon 

 crop in England. In France a crop of 156 tons per acre was 

 raised. In this crop each plant was allowed a space of five 

 square feet, the roots averaging 31^ pounds each. One of the 

 roots reached the enormous weight of 132 pounds. This exceeded 

 the weight of the monster California red beet, exhibited at the fair 

 of the California State Horticultural Society, held at San Fran- 

 cisco, Sept 7th, 1859, which weighed 115 pounds. 



That crops can bo raised far exceeding any yet reported among 

 us I have no doubt ; certainly if expenses and profit are not to be 

 considered. All our best beet crops have been raised by the 

 application of farmyard manure, spread broadcast, and ploughed 

 in or mixed with the surface soil. We certainly might expect a 

 very great increase of crops if in addition to this we should adopt 

 the English mode, of manuring with well rotted manure, in the 

 furrows, between ridges, and then split the first ridges, and thus 

 cover up the manure at the bottom of the furrows and form the 

 crown of the ridge immediately over it. Then again, salt, guano, 

 superphosphate, in addition to the barn yard manure, increase the 



