26 



be made to produce the same crop for many years without 

 a depreciation, or a diminution in the produce. There is 

 also in a continued succession of beets in the same soil a 

 great saving of labor, because the ground being constant- 

 ly kept well dug up and loose, by this penetrating plant, re- 

 quires only one ploughing after harvest, and one or two har- 

 rowings before planting. In this respect, it is also an ad- 

 vantage that beets should succeed potatoes. 



CHAPTER IV, 



OF MANURES. 



The object of manures being to excite and procure a 

 luxuriant vegetation, it follows, that it must in general, in- 

 crease the size of the beet, now as it is understood that 

 large roots are more aqueous and less easily worked into 

 sugar an opinion is professed, and believed by many man- 

 ufacturers, that manure is unfavorable to this jjlant. This 

 belief is adverse to every principle of rural economy, and 

 does not deserve a refutation, for it is clear that as all 

 means suitable for increasing production are favorable to 

 agriculture generally; so also are they equally applicable 

 to the beet, and for this purpose manure is pre-eminently 

 suitable here. All manures are not, however, equally 

 beneficial to the beet, and it may be serviceable to mention 

 here their different modes of action. 



Manure from the farm-yard usually composed of a 

 mixture of horse and cow dung, and sometimes that of 

 sheep, is excellent for beets ; and should, as far as that is 

 possible, be laid on before the winter, and intervene between 

 two piowings, or if but 0??^ is given, Z'c/or^ this, sothrt 

 it may be turned into the soil. There is no fear of laying 

 on too muck for it can be of 7io possible injury, to the vege- 



