34 



children ; the weeding of an acre does not cost over 60cts. 

 each weeding; but this expense must necessarily be more 

 with us, where wages are higher and practice is yet want- 

 ing. 



If weeding with the horse hoe alone is an imperfect 

 operation, it is nevertheless highly beneficial in more than 

 one respect it not only in a great measure clears the 

 ground of noxious plants, but turns it over and loosens it 

 to the depth of one or two inches, and in so doing is useful 

 not only to the present, but the following crop. 



CHAPTER VII. 



GATHERING THE BEET ROOT. 



It is easy to ascertain the proper time to gather the beet, 

 it is manifested by appearances which can hardly be mis- 

 taken. The leaves which during the vegetation were of 

 a deep green, firm, and erect, now become covered with 

 brownish spots, are curly, droop towards the earth, and 

 finally assume a yellow tint ; they have ceased to vegetate, 

 as also the root which is now ready for the manufacturer 

 and will not increase in volume. They are generally 

 found in this state in the month of September or October, 

 climates and seasons will of course advance or retard this 

 maturity. 



It is not desirable to gather in the whole harvest before 

 the sugar Factory begins its operations ; the works may 

 be supplied from the time the beet is ready till the end of 

 October or beginning of November, by beets gathered dai- 

 ly in the field and taken to the works. 



It is extremely important in gathering the beet to choose 

 if possible, favorable, that is to say, dri/ weather. A field 

 of beets dug in a rainy, will furnish roots much more 

 aqueous, than if gathered in a dry time. 



