GROWING SUGAR BEETS IN MICHIGAN AND OHIO. 



23 



111 addition to the records indicated in Table XII, 82 men were 

 visited who used a 1-man, 2-horse crew. The average beet acreage 

 per farm in this group in the Caro and Ohio districts was from 29 

 per cent to 49 per cent larger than in the same areas where a 1-man, 

 1-horse crew was used. 



Fig. 15. — Cultivating' sugar beets with a 2-row riding cultivator. 

 HAND WORK ON SUGAR BEETS. 



This labor consists of blocking, thinning, usually hoeing twice, 

 pulling, topping, and throwing into piles. Very few farmers have 

 sufficient farm labor to do the hand work, and therefore in most 

 cases it is done by special beet workers at a stipulated contract rate 

 per acre. In addition, the farmer agrees to furnish the beet workers 

 a house to live in (fig. 16), haul fuel, and furnish transportation to 

 and from the railroad station. The beet workers furnish all neces- 

 sary hoes and knives. 



Common contract rates for hand labor in Michigan and Ohio. 



Kind of work. 



22-inch 

 rows. 



24-inch 

 rows. 



28-inch 

 rows. 



Blocking and thinning. 



Hoeing, 2 times 



Topping and piling 



Total 



$fi. 00 

 3.00 

 9.00 



$5.00 

 3.00 

 8.00 



$5. 00 

 3.00 

 7.00 



In the Alma area the rates for hand labor were slightly greater 

 than the above. The rate for beets planted in rows 18 inches to 22 

 inches apart was $20. For beets 24 inches apart the rate was $18 

 per acre, and for beets 28 inches apart, $16 per acre. 



