Cultivation of Beet. 



heaps c, c, &c. ; and the leaves in the heaps d, d. Sec. In carting 

 off, the horsewalks in the furrow E, the wheels covering two 

 ridges, and the two rows of roots a, h, are thrown into the cart. 

 In this manner the work proceeds expeditiously, and with as 

 little injury to the land by trampling as possible. The carts 

 should always be driven up and down the ridges, and not across 

 them, whether going with a load or returning empty ; because, by 

 adhering to this system, comparatively small injury will be done 

 to the roots by carting over them, or to the soil by trampling. 

 The utility of laying the leaves in heaps may be questioned by 

 some, but a great deal may be said in favour of the practice. 



The leaves, when intended to be fed either by sheep folded on 

 the land, or carted off and thrown out on pastures for cattle or 

 sheep, are always clean and fit food for cattle, which they are not 

 when thrown over the land and trampled on. Besides this, the 

 beet which has been pulled, and not carted during the day, should 

 always be covered the last thing before leaving for the night, and 

 the leaves, being laid conveniently in heaps, are used for that 

 purpose. Mangold standing in the ground, and protected by the 

 broad leaves, will stand a frost (if not very severe) without injury, 

 but a very slight frost will damage those roots that are pulled ; 

 therefore it is a wise precaution to cover up those roots that are 

 left at night. One-horse carts are the most convenient for carting 

 the crop, as will be easily discovered by those who assist in har- 

 vesting beet. We find that when the heap to which the roots are 

 carted is in the same field or field adjoining, that as many tons of 

 beet may be removed with three one-horse carts as with three 

 carts with five horses, and that with much less detriment to the 

 roots and land. With carts drawn by two horses there is a 

 loss of time in changing the trace-horse, and he is continually 

 doing damage to the roots, and to the soil when wet. This is not 

 a mere theoretical observation, but it is an opinion confirmed by 

 having for many years taken part in the beet harvest. 



The following company of labourers may be kept at work in 

 storing a crop of beet, and with this arrangement the work will 

 proceed so that all will have equal employment ; and no loss of 

 time will be occasioned by changing from one job to another. 

 Three horses will be sufiicient if the mangold are stored in the 

 field ; but if carted to a distance, the number of horses and carts 

 must be increased in proportion to that distance : — 



6 men pulling mangold and stripping leaves. 

 4 boys filling into carts. 



1 boy driving. 



2 men stacking roots. 



.1 man and a boy thatching. 



