50 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



and 1878, corn, with stable-manure applied broadcast after 

 ploughing ; 1879, ploughed and harrowed, then opened drills 

 three feet apart, with a light furrowing plough. Unrotted 

 manure from the barn-cellar was put in the drills at the rate 

 of about eight cords per acre. Manure was covered with the 

 ridger, and seed sown upon the ridge with the Harrington 

 seed-sower, at the rate of seven pounds per acre. 



The seed-bed being some two inches higher than the 

 general surface of the field rendered the first hoeing very 

 easy ; it being simply to pass the hoe slightly upon each 

 side of the row, the loose earth inclining from the row, so 

 that there was no covering or choking of the tender plants. 

 A large proportion of these had not at this time appeared 

 above the surface. Neither had zveeds appeared in any con- 

 siderable force. We feel assured that this slight hoeing, 

 which occupied one man less than a day, together with the 

 cultivating that preceded it, secured for both us and the beets 

 an easy victorj^. 



After about ten days, when the plants were well started, 

 they were again cultivated and hoed. This hoeing was 

 more thorough than the first, and required the labor of one 

 man two days. Besides drawing the hoe parallel with the 

 row, it was drawn across it, leaving uncut a narrow space 

 once in about eight inches. The last of June they were 

 again hoed, thinned, and weeded. This required two days' 

 work and a half. After this they were twice cultivated, and 

 once hoed to the extent of one days work. This comprises 

 all the labor until harvest. 



In harvesting, we clasp the tops and raise the beet with 

 one hand, with the other hand take hold of the root ; then, 

 turning the hands in opposite directions, the top is easily 

 taken off, and the root is dropped in rows, with space 

 between the rows sufficient to allow the cart or wagorf to 

 pass. We store the roots in a pit near the barn. This we 

 make by digging a trench four feet in width, and a foot and 

 a half in depth, throwing the earth upon each side. We 

 find it most convenient to dig the pit in sections, filling 

 with the roots as we advance. In this way they are dumped 

 in place, so that the only handling required is to crown the 

 pit, carrying to a point ; making the entire depth of roots at 

 the ceni s four feet. 



