Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 September 1907 — BEET HARVESTERS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BEET HARVESTERS.

Lifting the Beets by Means of a Plow or Puller. To harvest sugar beets costs from |8 to $lO an acre, depending upon the condition of the soil. Most of this 'work is now accomplished by a system borrowed from Europe. This consists in extracting the beets from the soil with an Implement drawn by two to four horses. It is in the nature of a plow. There are several forms, one of which is called a “puller.” Th|g has two fingerlike tapering prongs, which rttn through the ground parallel with the surface, but about ten inches below. The space between these prongs j is wider at the points, gradually less-j enlng to their back ends. These prongs are supported by two upright pieces attached to the beam. When pulled through the soil the points are carried on either side of the beet, compelling it to pass through this diminishing space. Directly the prongs tighten against the beet as it Is being forced* through the space, breaking off the taproot and forcing it up. The beet is elevated two or three Inches and left In the loose dirt. Another Form of. Plow. Another form of the implement consists of a plow with a narrow moldboard and a long sharp knifelike share, the edge of which penetrates the soil at about the depth of ten inches, cutting off the beets, lifting them several inches and throwing them on the side over against the loose dirt. A workman comes along the row, takes hold of the top, lifts the beet from the loose soil and with a sharp knife cleaves off the crown from which the leaves have grown. The beets are then bumped together to remove the adhering dirt and thrown in piles and the tops in others. From these piles the beets are loaded into wagons and delivered to the factory.—C. F. Saylor. Saving Steps. In spite of the extensive development and use of corn harvesting machinery the fact remains that much corn is still cut by hand. Therefore the accompanying sketch recently sent to the New England Homestead by a reader will prove of Interest He has figured out that if the plan outlined is followed a sixty-four hill shock, or stock, of corn can be cut at a minimum number of steps. The cir-

des in the center represent the four hills tied together or between which the shock is built. After the foundation for thij shock is ready the man goes to No. 1 and cuts in the direction of the numbers until he reaches No. 8. After placing his armful in the shock he begins at No. 9 and cuts to No. 16, again depositing his load and continuing the operation in the way the hills are numbered until the shock is completed. It will be noted that in addition to saving steps this plan brings th^ cutter near the shock with his heaviest load, or when his arm’ is full of corn. , „, Mutton Chops. \ You can never improve a flock by using a grade sire. Wethers Intended for market should be put in a pasture by themselves, where they can be liberally fed. The ewes and the sire should receive generous feeding. When ewes are gaining in condition at mating time there will be a larger percentage of twins and the lambs will be stronger. A supply of roots is necessary to success with sheep. Have some way of marking your sheep. Many neighbors have been made enemies for life by their sheep getting mixed in the pasture? It is important to give good care to all animals, but particularly to sheep. To restdre flesh to an animal Is an expensive process, as costly to sheep as to other animals.—Farm Journal. Planting Strawberries. After plowing land deeply for the fall planting of strawberries encourage the germination of. weed seeds by frequent cultivation so far as possible to get rid of the trouble of weeds getting ahead of the plants after they are set out. Use barnyard manure freely if the same can be had free from weed seeds, adv'ses Southern Planter. In order to insure this It should have heated well and be partially rotted. This may be supplemented with an application of a good fertilizer rich in phosphoric add and potash, say 300 to 400 pounds of acid phosphate and 200 pounds of muriate of potash per acre. The rows giay be laid off three feet apart.

Tobacco Seed Plants. The production and Introduction of new varieties of tobacco must be followed by continued effort on the part of the growers to preserve and improve the type in order that the fullest and best results may be obtained. Without selection of seed plants year after year by the growers the life of tobacco varieties Is comparatively short The accidental cross fertilization of seed saved without protection, the use of inferior plants for seed production and many other causes contribute to the deterioration, breaking up of type and so called running out of varieties.

CUTTING A SHOCK OF CORN.