156 The Sugar-Beet in America 



dling beets at the receiving stations and different arrange- 

 ments for weighing. One method is carried out as fol- 

 lows: When the farmer arrives at the dump with his 

 load, the wagon and beets are weighed together, and 

 he is given a ticket showing the weight. Several beets 

 of average size are taken from the load as a sample from 

 which to determine sugar-content and purity. He then 

 drives to the dumping place and dumps his load into a 

 hopper. From there the beets go into a revolving screen 

 where most of the dirt is shaken off. It drops on a belt 

 and is carried to a dirt hopper under which the farmer 

 drives and gets his dirt back. This is taken to the scales 

 and weighed with the wagon. From ten to fifty pounds 

 of the beets that have passed over the screen are weighed, 

 and after all dirt is removed, weighed again. From this, 

 the percentage of dirt is determined and the net weight 

 of beets calculated. 



The problem of ascertaining the proper percentage of 

 tare is one on which there is constant friction unless both 

 the farmers and the factory are willing to give as well 

 as take. At best, tlie amount of tare is only an approxi- 

 mation, and every method that can be used to simplify 

 its determination will result in more agreeable relations 

 between the farmer and the sugar company. 



The providing of inadequate dumping facilities often 

 leads to friction in regions where the industry is newly 

 established; but in the older regions dumps are being 

 built, so that most farmers can be accommodated without 

 having to haul great distances. A number of convenient 

 U'pea of dumps are being used. 



