254 
STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
from two hundred and twenty to two hundred and fifty milli¬ 
meters. The length is of less importance, as the gutters or 
roofs can be placed one after the other according to the length 
of the pile. The most convenient length, however, is from 
three to four meters, which enables them to be handled with 
ease. At the end of the season they are sfored away, and * 
may be used until entirely worn out. 
As soon as the pits arci ready they must be covered with 
straw and a layer of earth, from ten to twelve centimeters in 
depth. This may be done on any day, not rainy, whether 
warm or cold. The straw spread between the roots is quite 
necessary, for, being a non-conductor of heat, it prevents the 
roots from being injured by the heavy frosts, and supports 
the earth from which the pile is covered, leaving a free space 
between the beets themselves for the circulation of air. Near 
the chimney a triangular box about one meter long is placed, 
made of thin boards and extending into the pile. It opens at 
the top into the gutter or roof and is intended lor the ther¬ 
mometer. 
The preservation of the beet is divided into two operations: 
1. Storing away the beet. 2. Superintendence of the pits. 
The beets when stored must be well cleaned; that is to say, 
freed from the dirt attached to them, and the collar cut away, 
for any portion of the leaves remaining on the roots will be¬ 
come rotten in a few days and produce fermentation in the pits. 
Care must be taken not to put into the pits any roots damaged 
during loading the carts by the horses’ feet or by the wheels. 
This rule is easy to observe, as such damaged beets may be 
worked up immediately. 
It is easy to see that the good preservation of beet roots de¬ 
pends upon their being kept cool yet free from frost, and dry 
and well ventilated. The root-houses are constructed in the 
manner described, m order to secure these essential conditions. 
A continuous current of air entering at each end of the trench 
passes upwards through the floor of branches or brush, pene¬ 
trates the pile of beets and finally passes out of the chimney at 
the top and at the ends of the roof or covering. . 
