27 



tation, and it may be safely avered that there never is em- 

 ployed as much as would be useful ; if there is a mixture 

 of long straw, it will operate for several years with good 

 effect. 



Sheep manure possesses a remarkable energy, and is 

 exceedingly appropriate for improving the vegetation of 

 the beet. 



Animal Carbon that has been used in the factory, and 

 the skimmings from the boilers, which are collected in great 

 quantity, during the whole time the sugar works are in ac- 

 tivity, should be carried in preference on to such lands as 

 are eold and inert, for this manure possesses properties 

 highly stimulating : this effect is especially to be attributed 

 to the black color of the carbon, which absorbs the sun's 

 rays, and imparts them to the soil. 



When the beets tire harvested, the top is cut off just to 

 the. root of the leaves, these during the month required for 

 this object, form considerable masses and cannot be fed 

 away, they remain on the ground ; decompose, and serve 

 to enrich the land they cover- 



Another good manure is produced by the scrapings of 

 the beets mixed with the earth which covers them, the 

 fibres, ends of roots, &c. collected in cleaning the roots for 

 the rasps, as we shall more particularly explain in another 

 place. 



CHAPTER V. 



OF SOWING. 



The beet seed is usually sown in France on the first fine 

 days in the Spring, that is to say the end of March, or in 

 the course of the month of April ; however if the season 

 should be late or the weather unfavorable, it can be done 



