THE BEET SUGAR INDUSTRY. 



181 



butcher knives are used for the purpose. 'Die crown and leaves, together with any por- 

 tion of the beet growing above ground; should be cut off, leaving nothing but the root 

 that has grown under ground to be taken to the factory. The old method of pulling and 

 topping was to throw the beets into piles, top them and load into wagons with baskets. 

 The newer and better way is to lay the beets in rows with heads one way. The topper 

 then, after slicing off the heads, places the topped beets head down in rows, and with the 

 lails in the air. They are then thrown into wagons by hand. It is a curious sight to see 

 a field of beets thus standing in long rows in the reverse direction to which they grow. 

 The advantages of the new method are that the beets are topped quicker, dry better in 

 wet weather, are more easily loaded into wagons, and save the expense of baskets. The 

 tops are also better distributed over the ground. 



"Iliiiilini/ beets has evolved a new form of wagon rack in this valley. It is in the 

 shape of a wide, shallow box, raised high above the wheels, which it overhangs a few 

 inches. It is not a thing of beauty, but it answers better than the old style of rack in that 

 it is easier to load and unload, and a heavier load can be hauled with it. Such racks 

 mounted on wide-tired gears weigh about 8200 pounds, and from 4 to 4V& tons can be 

 hauled in them with four horses on a good road in dry weather. They are unsuitable for 

 bad roads, as they are top heavy and liable to turn over. Good roads are indispensable 

 to the beet farmer. No traffic is harder on roads, and this is due to the immense volume 

 of it and to the heavy loads hauled." 



III II .11 ... < .- 



, ((Mill Ittlflll 'Illiliill 



ii 



ui'iiiiilll 

 II til 



DISTANT VIEW OF THE MAMMOUTH SUGAR MILL. 



Of the Spreckels Sugar Co., at Spreckels, in the Salinas valley, California, showing steel frame 

 of main structure 682x102 feet, with boiler house 559x68 feet in foreground. See Pages 170 and 17'J for 

 other engravings and descriptions of this largest beet sugar factory in the world. 



