Harvesting 149 
any locality will be affected somewhat by the area in 
beets. If the acreage is large and the mill will have a 
long run, digging may begin before the beets are en- 
tirely ripe in order that the farmers may be able to get 
all the beets dug before they are frozen in the ground. 
Since it is impossible to predict the kind of autumn, 
mistakes are often made in the time to commence dig- 
ging. For example, in 1916 over some sugar-beet areas 
the land froze solid very early and thousands of acres 
of beets rotted in the ground. If this condition could 
have been predicted, digging would have been started 
earlier and pushed faster. In 1917 the previous year’s 
record was fresh in the minds of all and probably 
hastened digging somewhat. As it happened, however, 
the fall remained open till late and all the beets were 
harvested before it was necessary. 
Beets should usually be harvested when they are 
mature. This is not an absolutely definite point, but the 
general condition of maturity can be told rather easily. 
It is indicated by the browning of the lower leaves and 
a yellowing of all the foliage. The leaves also lose their 
vigor and have a drooping appearance. Ripeness is also 
indicated by the sugar-content and purity, but it cannot 
be told by analysis alone, since the composition of the 
beets is variable under different conditions. A beet may 
be said to be ripe when the foliage has the appearance 
just described and when analysis shows a satisfactory 
sugar-content and purity. 
The sugar company contracting for beets reserves the 
right to say when they should be dug. This is necessary 
in order that the beets may be received regularly during 
