152 The Sugar-Beet in America 



sists of two points parallel to each other, one on each side 

 of the row. Fig. 23, Plate XIV. As it moves along 

 the row, the beets pass between the two points, being 

 slightly raised but remaining standing in the soil. Some 

 of these are operated by a man walking ; others are ar- 

 ranged on a sort of cart and are controlled by a man 

 who rides. Several companies manufacture implements 

 of this type that give satisfaction. Probably no one 

 type is best for all conditions. 



After the beets are lifted in this way, they are pulled 

 by hand and thrown into piles for convenience in top- 

 ping. Sometimes the piles are made without regard to 

 any order of piling; at other times the beets are placed 

 in such a way that all the tops lie in one direction. With- 

 out doubt this arrangement makes topping easier. If 

 the beets are not taken from the ground immediately after 

 lifting, there is a tendency for the soil to become compact 

 again around the roots and increase the work of pulling. 



Two beets are knocked together when they are pulled 

 to remove as much of the dirt as possible. The dirt when 

 handled several times with the beets adds considerably 

 to the work involved, and it does no good since it is taken 

 off as tare when the beets are finally delivered to the 

 sugar company. Unclean beets are a source of annoy- 

 ance to all concerned in handling them. Sometimes the 

 beets are pulled and topped in one operation, but this 

 practice is not common. 



TOPPING (PLATES xm, xiv, xv) 



Topping is one of the important operations, and unless 

 properly done results in considerable loss. It is an ad- 



