HARVESTING. 191 



be accomplished either by hand or machinery; the latter 

 being done by ploughs of various descriptions. The 

 machine frequently adopted in Germany consists of 

 several coupled curved prongs penetrating the soil 

 much beneath the maximum depth attained by the roots ; 

 the whole is drawn by horses or cattle. The objection 

 to this or any other similar method is the traction made 

 use of, the feet of the animals greatly bruising the 

 roots. The pulling by hand is much the best where 

 labor is cheap. But some device different from any- 

 thing up to the present time adopted, such as steam 

 ploughing, etc., could alone be utilized in the United 

 States. We have noticed that if it rains several days 

 in succession during the harvesting period, a decrease 

 of sugar may be expected. If a sudden change in the 

 temperature takes place, falling below freezing point, 

 it is advisable to leave the roots for several days still 

 in the ground. If this precaution is not taken there 

 is danger of losing the entire crop after the thaw. If 

 the weather^ be dry and hot when the harvesting takes 

 place, the beets exposed to the outer atmosi;)here will 

 lose the greater portion of their water, and conse- 

 quently their weight, and are thus rendered in a con- 

 dition more difficult to keep in a perfect state of pre- 

 sei'vation. If, on the contrary, the weather be rainy, 

 the soil becomes wet and a great quantity of earth ad- 



' Mr. Grant in his book says : " It is advisable to select dry weather and a 

 drv state of the soil." 



