256 
STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
from each other, two million and a half of beets can be stored 
in pits on a single hectare. 
Another method, which is more economical and generally 
used, consists in placing the beets in longitudinal heaps, about 
two meters wide at the base. 
At harvesting, a thin layer of earth spread over the sides 
only is sufficient. 
This allows the whole mass to become cool, and when the 
temperature of the air falls below the temperature of the beet, 
which is often the case in the fall of the year, the air permea¬ 
ting the interstices of the mass, and being necessarilj^ at the 
same temperature as the beet itself, has a tendency to rise. 
The thin layer of earth covering the sides allpws a sufficient 
circulation of air, which takes the place of the warm air es¬ 
caping at the top. The proper temperature is thus obtained, 
which prevents the beets from heating to such a degree as to 
cause their decomposition, which would take place were they 
entirely covered. The precaution of covering the beets with 
a thin layer of earth at harvesting is of great service, as it in¬ 
sures them against the hoar frost. As the season advances, to 
protect them from the heavier frosts, it‘will be necessary only 
to add more earth to the whole surface. 
This method of coi\servation answers all purposes, provided 
proper care is taken. The great surface of the walls of the 
piles, and the large amount of earth to be heaped up, render 
this method, nevertheless quite an expensive one. 
Still another method has been devised, less expensive than 
the two preceding ones. The beets are placed in heaps from 
six to eight meters wide at the base, and from two to three 
meters in height, with gently sloping sides covered with earth- 
The heap, which extends as far as the supply of beets and the 
surface of the ground permits, is flat on top and covered with 
straw alone. 
The only precaution to be taken is to admit the air to the 
heaps from below, so that it may freely penetrate the whole 
mass. In order to effect this, air drafts are established by dig¬ 
ging channels in the earth, before storing the roots, to the depth 
