THE PRODUCTION OF BEET-SUGAR. 



203 



of these implements will be seen by reference to the diagrams, 

 which illustrate the cultivator rigged for use at different stages 

 of the growth of the crop. 



Every seed-vessel of the beet, containing from two to three 

 germs, will produce as many plants, of which the strongest is left, 



Fig. 3.— The Beet-Cultivator, with Attachment for covering the Roots at the last 



hoeing. 



while the rest are pulled up or otherwise destroyed. The process 

 of thinning out the plants, not unlike the same operation in the 

 cultivation of corn, takes place after the first passage of the cul- 

 tivator, as soon as the roots have reached the length of from four 

 to five inches. The remaining plants are six to eight inches apart. 

 The soil around the young plant is frequently loosened by the 

 beet - cultivator, as 

 shown in Fig. 



in if'ig. 2, 

 every two or three 

 weeks, until the 

 leaves have ac- 

 quired their proper 

 development early 

 in June. This treat- 

 ment, by destroying 

 the weeds and in- 

 creasing the gener- 

 al absorbing prop- 

 erties of the soil, 

 favors an undisturbed and early development of the leaves, which 

 have a controlling influence in the formation of sugar. 



The beet-digger, Fig. 4, is a powerful machine, also drawn by 

 two horses. It consists of two long knives or coulters, fixed in a 

 heavy framework, and so arranged that they may be set to run 

 to a greater or less depth, as may be desired. These knives run 

 under and lift two rows of beets at each passage. As the machine 



Pig. 4.— The Beet-Digger. 



