Photo of men “topping” sugar beets = cutting the green leaves off the roots after they had been dug up; large, sharp knives were used, causing many injuries, early 20th century.
![](https://teachbocolatinohistory.colorado.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Screen-Shot-2016-02-11-at-10.58.11-AM.png)
Photo of men “topping” sugar beets = cutting the green leaves off the roots after they had been dug up; large, sharp knives were used, causing many injuries, early 20th century.