218 THE SUGAR BEET. 



of temperature and humidity, will soon alter and will 

 not then support the weig-ht calculated upon. Another 

 objection is, that the porteurs having but two wheels 

 are liable to run oft' the track too easily, and thus cause 

 a loss of time. 



2. Mr. DecauvilWs Idea. — Mr. Decauville who had 

 for many years been in search of some practical solu- 

 tion of economical transportation, and, having in 1875 

 9,000,000 kiiog. (19,800,0;)0 lbs.) of beets to gather in 

 the field, the soil of which being damp, it would have 

 been impossible for any wagon to enter and gather 

 them, it was duiing this period that he brought to 

 notice his porteur. We made this gentleman a visit 

 at his factory and farm at Petit-Bourg, and consider 

 the information obtained highly satisfactory and im- 

 portant. The principle of the distribution of the load 

 over a considerable length is the same as the one we 

 have just mentioned. This is also a portable track, 

 bnt the inconveniences of Corbin's are not to be found 

 here. Mr. Decauville had the excellent idea of giving 

 his rail the .same form as the original Yignol (which is 

 now generally employed by railroad companies the 

 world over), every portion of which being reduced he 

 tluis obtained a resistance corresponding to the maxi- 

 mum charge iron or steel can be submitted to. The 

 rails, sleepers, and fish-plates form one piece. The 

 gauge is only 0.40 m. (1.30 feet), which is considered 

 to give better results than when greater, as the mini- 

 mum material is here employed it becomes of greater 



