CHARACTER OF BEETS DELIVERED TO THE GRAND ISLAND FACTORY.

Through the courtesy of Mr. H. T. Oxnard the Department was allowed to establish a laboratory in the sugar factory at Grand Island for the purpose of obtaining information in regard to the character of the beets entering into manufacture. In all about three thousand samples of beets were examined, a sample having been taken from every wagonload and every carload of beets delivered to the factory. These samples were taken in such a way as to give as nearly as possible the average character of all the beets worked. A large number of beets was taken from each sample, and after they had been properly cleaned and dried their average weight was taken. The beets were then rasped, the juice expressed, and an analysis made on the expressed juice. The total solid matter was determined by a specificgravity spindle, and the percentage of sucrose in the juice was estimated by the polariscope. The purity efficient was determined by dividing the percentage of sucrose in the juice as indicated by the polariscope by the percentage of total solids as indicated by the spindle.

AVERAGE WEIGHT OF BEETS.

The average weight of all the beets examined was 238.9 grammes. This small size of the beet was doubtless due to the extremely dry season. The drought throughout the region covered by the sugar-beet fields was the most severe perhaps that has ever been known in the State of Nebraska. Ordinary crops such as corn were almost total failures, and it is a matter of encouragement to note that in such a season the beets, although not making an average yield, yet did fairly well. On the whole, however, it must be confessed that the results from an agricultural point of view were disappointing; but this disappointment must be chiefly attributed to the exceptionally severe drought already mentioned.

It is also doubtless true that in the practice of the new system of agriculture which is required for the proper production of sugar beets many failures were made, and perhaps very few of the farmers practiced that form of agriculture which was best suited to the soil and the season. In a soil which is apt to be dry, as in Nebraska, too much attention can not be paid to the importance of loosening the ground to a good depth. Deep plowing, followed by deep subsoiling, together with such harrowing and other treatment of the surface as will produce a perfect tilth, are absolutely essential to the production of a profitable crop.

The remarkably high percentage of sucrose shown in the juice is an evidence of the fact that the soil and climate of Nebraska are favorable to the production of a beet rich in crystallizable sugar. It must, however, not be forgotten that the extremely high percentage of sucrose in the juice is probably a reciprocal of the small size of the beet due to the dry season. Had the season been favorable to the production of a beet of average size, with a tonnage of from 15 to 20 per acre, the percentage of sucrose in the beets would doubtless have been less. This is well illustrated in the data obtained in the Department from the analysis of sugar beets sent from Nebraska. It is evident from the character of the samples which were received by the Department that the farmers have selected the larger beets to be sent on for analysis. It is seen by comparison of the respective sizes of the beets received for analysis by the Department with those received for manufacture at Grand Island that the beets sent on for analysis were about three times the size of those manufactured into sugar. It will also be noticed that in the beets received for analysis by the Department the percentage of sucrose is low as compared with those which entered into manufacture at Grand Island. It would therefore hardly be just to claim that beets as rich as those manufactured at Grand Island during the past season can be grown in quantities of from 15 to 20 tons per acre. It is not a matter of surprise that many of the farmers who grew beets are discouraged at the results of the first year's work. The planting and cultivation of the sugar beet, as is ell known, are matters which require

great labor and expense, and when, therefore, an unfavorable season cuts the crop very short, it is but natural that the farmer should be discontented. It is, however, difficult to see how he could have done better with any other crop, and the fact that in many instances even with the present dry season the farmers of Nebraska were able to grow 10 or even 15 tons per acre, shows that with proper cultivation and proper attention in other ways to the growing crop the evils which attend a severe drought can be greatly mitigated if not altogether avoided. It is not the purpose of the Department to encourage farmers to engage in an industry which does not give promise of success; but it will be a matter of regret to every one who desires to see the success of the sugar industry if the discontent which naturally attends a very unfavorable season should be sufficient to deter farmers from continuing the cultivation of a crop which under ordinary conditions promises so fair a yield as sugar beets. It would be wiser on the part of the farmers to continue the cultivation of the sugar-beet until it has been demonstrated at least that even with favorable years it is not profitable. In that case it would be necessary to cease the cultivation of a crop which afforded no prospect of financial success.

EXPERIMENTS WITH SUGAR BEETS IN WISCONSIN.

Extensive experiments were carried on in Wisconsin during the season of 1891 by the Department in coöperation with the agricultural experiment station under direction of Prof. W. A. Henry.

The general directions for the work were given by the Department, but all the details thereof were left to the supervision of Professor Henry.

The results of the work were encouraging, and its data, arranged by F. W. Woll, chemist of the station, will be found following:

Seeds of the following six varieties of sugar beets were received from the U. S. Department of Agriculture in the beginning of May: Dippe's Vilmorin, Dippe's Klein Wanzlebener, Simon Legrand's White Improved, Bulteau Desprez Richest, and Lemaire's Richest. About 3 acres of land were prepared at the experiment farm for beet culture, and divided up between the varieties in proportion to the quantity of seed on hand. Arrangements were further made with five farm rs liv ing in different parts of the State to grow three of the varieties, viz: Simon Legrand's White Improved, Bulteau Desprez Richest, and Dippe's Klein Wanzlebener, on a piece of land, 3 square rods for each variety; to send samples of the beets grown at different times for examination of sugar content, and to report the results as regards culture and yield. Notice was given in the newspapers that a supply of sugarbeet seed was on hand for distribution among farmers who would investigate the adaptability of their soils for sugar-beet culture, with the obligation to send samples of the beets grown for analysis. In this way, samples of beets from seventy farmers were received and analyzed,

about half of these received their seed from the station, and the major ity of the rest received seed directly from the U. S. Department of Agriculture.

First are given the results of the beet culture at the station, then those of the culture at substations, and finally the results of examinations of beets grown by farmers in different parts of this State.

SUGAR BEET CULTURE AT WISCONSIN AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, SEASON 1890.

Two plats, 13 and 14 acres, were set apart for sugar beets during the spring of 1890. Potatoes had been grown on Plat A the preceding year; on Plat B clover was grown the preceding year, and the land plowed that fall; the soil was a light clay, a portion of Plat B being a sandy loam. The beets were planted in rows 20 inches apart on Plat A, with beets every 8 inches in the row, the following varieties were planted on May 27 on this plat: Dippe's Klein Wanzlebener, Simon Legrand's White Improved, Bulteau Desprez Richest, and Dippe's Vilmorin. On the other plat (Plat B) the beets were planted in rows 30 inches, with beets every 10 inches in the row; the following varieties were planted in this way on May 28: Florimond Desprez Richest, Lemaire's Richest, and Dippe's Vilmorin. The seed of the last variety was divided between the plats, so as to determine the influence of different thickness of planting on the yield of beets.

The beets received the very best treatment during their period of growth that the circumstances would allow. The heavy rains in the beginning and middle of June made cultivation impossible for a time, and gave the weeds more of a start than they would otherwise have had. The cultivation was done partly by a harrow tooth cultivator, or by a wheel hoe and shovel attachment with shields, or by hand. The weeds in the rows between the beets could not be reached in any other than by a hand hoe. The features of the growing season were plenty of rain in May, June, August, and October, with a temperature somewhat below normal during May, August, and September, and higher than normal in June. The main meteorological data for the season are given in the following table:

Meteorological data for summer, 1890, for Madison, Wis.

[From observations made at Washburn Observatory.]

Samples of the beets grown were taken every week from September 5 on. Three to four beets of every variety of what seemed average size were pulled and the average sugar content in the same ascertained by the polariscope. While it is not believed that the beets sampled in every case represented exactly the stage of growth of each variety at the time, the analysis may indicate in a general way the increase in sugar content and in the purity of the juice of the beets. The following table gives the results of the weekly examinations of each plat. The average weight of the beets sampled is also given:

*A sample taken October 17 gave 16.37 per cent of sugar; purity coefficient, 84.9; average weight of beets, 527 grammes.

PLAT B.

[Distance between rows, 30 inches; between beets in the row, 10 inches.]

Perfectly representative samples were not always secured, as will be seen, but the analyses show nevertheless in a general way the change in the sugar content of the juice and its purity with the advance of the season. The last series of determinations for both plats were made at harvesting time; the results given for this State (November 1) are the averages of three samples of beets, of four each, taken from different parts of the plat, the beets being average sized and, as nearly as could be, representative ones. The beets reached full maturity, as may be