BEET. 23 
dry before cutting, a great deal of seed may be lost. 
The stalks may be laid in rows, the heads one way, or 
they may be tied into bundles and stacked vertically on 
the field and left to dry. Harvesting should be done 
in dry weather, and the cutting should not be permitted 
to get wet. ; 
Threshing, Cleaning.—Threshing may be done 
with a flail, on a cloth spread on the floor. In Europe 
the method is to draw the stalks through two jaws with 
saw-like teeth, prior to which the stalks are usually 
given a preliminary threshing on the floor. Another 
method in Europe is to separate seed from the stems by 
the use of an endless oscillating apron from a hopper. 
The seeds roll off, while the other matter adheres to the 
apron, and is thrown out at the other end of the 
machine. 
After seed has been threshed, it should be spread 
thinly and allowed to remain until it has become 
thoroughly dry, which may take several weeks; then it 
may be run through the fan-mill or seed-cleaner one or 
more times. Pieces of sticks that remain may be hand- 
picked. After cleaning, seed may be stored in barrels. 
Before shipping, run through the seed-cleaner again to 
remove the dust. 
To Save the Finest Seed for Private Use.— 
Select the finest and handsomest roots, true to,variety, 
and save only the larger and earliest matured seeds 
which form on their plants at the base of the branches 
on the main stalk, clipping off the remainder. Take 
up the stalks with the roots attached and hang in a loft 
or garret to dry, spreading a cloth beneath for seeds to 
drop to. Vegetation keeps up for quite a while, and 
will ripen the immature seed. Seed in such small 
quantity may be shaken out, or stripped between the 
hands, and cleaned in a hand sieve. 
