SUGAR-BEET. 197 



dropped as near as every two or three inches in the 

 drills. 



After Culture. — As soon as the weeds begin to ap- 

 pear, run the cultivator through the rows, and follow 

 with the hoe. It is very essential that the ground 

 be kept clear of weeds, especially for the first two 

 months ; and three hoeings, with the use of the cul- 

 tivator, are generally sufficient for the season. As 

 the plants attain a height of about three inches, 

 they should be thinned to a distance of about four 

 inches, leaving the strongest and healthiest ; then, 

 as they increase in size, gradually thin out the re- 

 mainder, leaving the roots in the rows at least nine 

 or ten inches apart. If left too thick, they shade 

 and choke each other in growth, and the product is 

 not so great as when well thinned. The plants 

 drawn in thinning are valuable to feed stock during 

 the summer, and are frequently considered equal to 

 half the expense of cultivating the whole crop. 



Harvesting. — Chaptal decides, that when the leaves 

 begin to decay and turn yellow, it is the best time to 

 gather the beets ; for, if left longer than this in the 

 ground, the roots grow hard and strong, and do not 

 yield so great a per centage of saccharine matter. 

 This, of course, will take place earlier or later In 

 different climates ; and it is undoubtedly as good a 

 rule as can be given, having been adopted after a 

 strict chymical analysis of the beet in its growth 

 by that eminent agriculturist. If the soil be light, 

 as the roots generally grow so much out of the 

 ground, they can be pulled up by taking hold of the 

 tops with the hand ; but, if more tenacious, the dung- 

 fork is the best instrument that I know of for digging 

 them up. Let part of the hands be thus employed, 

 and the other part follow with large knives or bill- 

 hooks, taking up the root with one hand, and topping 

 off the leaves with the other. The roots should be 

 thrown into small heaps to dry through the day ; 

 and, if left out over night, and there be danger of 



