CONSEKVATION OP THE SUGAR BEET, 245 



the straw to become wet. The temperature will rise, 

 and decomposition will soon find its way through every 

 portion of the silo. In order to ascertain the exact 

 condition of the beets, Chaptal's idea was to open the 

 centre of the silo. If the beets were in a good condi- 

 tion in the centre he concluded the entire mass was the 

 same ; but here was an error, the portions he should 

 have most watched were those in direct contact with 

 the straw. We cannot re])eat too often the importance 

 of rejecting this covering, as we are certain that nothing 

 like the results can be obtained with it as by the simple 

 use of earth — when they are to remain for any length 

 of time. 



When beets ai"e to be used within a few days, the 

 most simple method is to pile them on the ground, 

 forming a sort of triangular prism, covering it with 



Fig. 5 a. 

 Lon^tndinal section. Tertical section. 



Koots to be utilized shortly, piled on the ground with a slight covering of strair. 



straw, the thickness augmenting with the fall in the 

 exterior temperature. The fig. 50 shows a silo of this 

 description ; the height is 1 m. (3.28 feet) and length 

 variable ; the beets as they are required from one hour 



