THE BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 39 



tops the beet and then lifts the root. Each implement is operated by 

 one man; hence the saving in labor and in labor cost are considera- 

 tions that appeal to the beet grower at this time when the labor short- 

 age is acute. 



LIVE STOCK. 



The live stock on the sugar-beet farm should consist of work stock 

 and other animals. One of the most important parts of the necessary 

 equipment on a beet farm is the work stock, which should be sufficient 

 in number, size, and quality to handle the work readily. For the 

 heavy work, such as deep plowing, lifting, and hauling the beets, 

 heavy work animals, such as those shown in Plates II, V, and VI, 

 are desirable. The size and quality of the work stock, therefore, is 

 an essential part of the equipment. The horses should be capable of 

 being trained so that they will follow rows when cultivating. Large 

 animals, if properly trained and handled, will do this work without 

 injury to the beets and may be used unless small animals are avail- 

 able for this purpose. Apparently the tractor is taking the place 

 of work animals in some localities for many of the operations on 

 sugar-beet farms. A farm tractor should be of simple and durable 

 construction, moderate in price, easily and cheaply operated, and 

 capable of making fair speed when required. 



Animals other than work stock are essential on the sugar-beet farm 

 in order to utilize to the best advantage the beet tops and pulp 

 as well as the other feeds grown in rotation with the beets, and also 

 to furnish the necessary farmyard manure required to keep up and 

 improve the fertility of the soil. The particular kind of stock, 

 whether dairy cows, beef cattle, sheep, etc., will depend upon the 

 locality, especially with reference to the markets, upon the kind of 

 labor obtainable for handling the stock, and upon the other farm 

 crops produced. 



LABOR. 



The question of labor on a beet farm is of vital importance, and 

 unless labor is available at the proper time it will constitute a 

 limiting factor in sugar-beet production. Other things being equal, 

 ' a beet grower with sufficient dependable labor of good quality at his 

 commjanxi will handle the crop to the best advantage. For those 

 growers who have not a sufficient amount of labor available for the 

 production of sugar beets in addition to the other farm work, the 

 sugar companies will usually undertake to obtain laborers. These 

 laborers usually are transient, coming into an area at the beginning 

 of the growing season, caring for a given acreage of beets during 

 that season, and returning to their homes after the beets are har- 

 vested. In some instances they go out year after year to work in the 

 same locality and for the same farmers. Frequently they rent land 



