AMERICAN BEET SUGAR. 29 



to extend the box out over the top of the wheels. The frame should be of 2x8 

 timber, of good tensile strength (Oregon pine is well suited). The 2x8 are set 

 on edge; firmly bolted upon these, at both ends and in the middle, are three 4x4 

 cross pieces reaching out even with the end of the hub ; upon these cross pieces 

 bolt 1x33, leaving a space between each of at least ^ of one inch to permit 

 the dirt to shake through. The ends are securely bolted to the standards rigidly 

 bolted to the 2x8. The sides aie made of 2x4 with 1x3 bolted thereon, as the 

 bottom was made ; but the sides are attached to the body on the lower sides by 

 heavy forged hinges, three on each side, with eyes and bolts at each end to hold 

 the sides firmly in place while the load is on. 



This constitutes the strongest and most convenient box yet known ; and the 

 sides hung upon hinges facilitates the quick unloading at the factory, which is ac- 

 complished by making the platform by the side of the beet pits, a series of tilting 

 sections, by which means the wagon is tilted by a system of weights and pulleys 

 at such an angle that the beets are in a second dumped into the pit, the side 

 boards acting as an apron, as is shown in the very apt illustration. 



BEET PLOWS. The other important harvesting tool is the plow, and it is 

 well to suggest, as unwise, to try to plow out the beet crop with an ordinary 

 plow. The loss in roots broken off in the ground and those missed entirely, will 

 more than pay for a suitable plow in harvesting any considerable acreage. The 

 ordinary sub-soiler, furnished by the trade, of which the beet plow is a type, 

 is not built strong enough to stand the test. In California and in Utah, the local 

 smith has made the most serviceable tool at a cost of about $12.00 each. There 

 is another great advantage in the use of the beet plow of the sub-soil type, it 

 breaks up the subsoil in a way to promote the better growth of the next crop. 



TOPPING. In topping, a well riveted, strong butcher knife, with a ic-inch 

 blade, is fully as competent to perform the work well as a costly knife made 

 expressly for that purpose. The plow lifts the beet root partially out of the 

 ground, so that it can be easily grasped by the left hand of the topper, while with 

 his right hand he deftly cuts the tops off at one blow, cutting just below the 

 lowest leaf growth. A little practice makes the worker very expert. 



BEDS FOR THE TOPPED BEETS. The plow is, perhaps, one hundred rows 

 ahead of the toppers. A man precedes them with a rake ; at frequent intervals 

 he removes the beets a little, making a bed about 6 feet across, with a smooth 

 surface, if the crop is good, these beds are about 30 feet apart and are in a per- 

 fectly straight row. The reason for this is obvious. The topper throws the 

 finished beet to the bed where it is ready in heaps for the loader, unmixed with 

 leaves or clods of dirt. The leaves are very objectionable to the factory super- 

 intendent they clog the knives in the slicer, and in other ways hinder the opera- 

 tion. The clods of dirt plus the leaves, cause extra tare in determining the net 

 weight of the farmer's load. Be sure that the beets are in snug, clean heaps, and 

 you will facilitate all interests involved. 



The detrimental solids, or salts, absorbed by the beet in its growth, centralize 

 in the top of the beet, particularly in that portion grown above the surface. If 

 the topping is properly done, all that portion grown above ground is cut off- 

 square across. Then the analysis of mature beets will ordinarily show a satisfactory 

 coefficient of purity, which should always be above 80. The beet tops are of 



