CONSEKVATION OP THE SUGAR BEET. 237 



CHAPTER II. 



CONSERVATION OF THE SUGAR BEET. 



History. — The Importance of keeping roots in a per- 

 fect condition during the entire or a portion of the year 

 is not new, and was well understood b^^ the ancients, 

 and even at the present da}^ there are but few countries 

 in Europe, Asia, or Africa w^iere some device of this 

 description is not in existence. 



The conservation takes place in a so-called silo, from 

 the Spanish, meaning an underground cellar. 



The Egyptians had their silos made of granite, which 

 were of various dimensions, and entirely beneath the 

 surface of the ground. 



The Romans and Arabians and others frequently 

 made excavations in solid rocks which served as silos^ 

 and even the Chinese have had their silos for thousands 

 of years. 



The system at present adopted in Europe is gener- 

 ally above the ground — Russia being an exception. 



General Considerations. — There is no problem more 

 difficult to solve, and yet easj^ in appearance, than the 

 conservation of the sugar beet, and its importance 

 cannot be overrated, and, if badly done, will result in 

 a loss to all interested. 



