LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Chap 8heir PRESENTED BY The accompanying report was published under a joint resohition of Congress, which reads as follows : S. R. 148.— Joint resohition providing for the printing of Hotise Document No. 396, relating to the Beet-Sugar Industry in the United States. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United. States of Avievica in Congress assembled, That there be jirinted 60,000 copies of House Document No. 396, 55th CongTess, being a Special Report on the Beet-Sugar Indiistry in the United States, 27,000 copies for the use of the Hoiise of Repre- sentatives, 13,000 copies for the use of the Senate, and 20,000 copies for the use of the Department of Agriculture. SPECIAL REPORT ON THE 1^ ^plicate. BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE / UNITED STATES WASHINGTON: CrOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, 1898. 72742 MESSAGE To the Congress : I trausmit lierewitli, for the information of the Congress, a com- miiuication from the Secretary of Agriculture, covering a detailed report showing the present condition of the beet-sugar industry in this country and the results of experiments made by the Department of Agriculture in the prod action of sugar from beets in the United States during the past year. William McKinley. Executive Mansion, March 31, 1898. 2 LETTER OF TRa:NSMITTAL. IT. S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary, Witskington, B. C, March 25, 1898. Mr. President: In a coniuiunication which I addressed to the Vice- President on the 17th of hist Jaunary, in obedience to a resohition of the United States Senate, on the subject of sugar importation, produc- tion, etc., I made tlie following statement: Suj^ar will be grown in the United States by farmers. The Department of Agri- culture has l)een experimenting in two-thirds of the States of the Union during the past year, and will experiment in all the States during the coming year, to ascertain where we can grow sugar-producing plants most profitably. A detailed report now being prepared for Congress will show the results of the work. I now have the honor to transmit, for your information and that of the Congress of the United States, that portion of the detailed report above referred to covering the subject of beet sugar. For the conven- ience of its readers, I have divided it into two distinct j^arts, one part consisting of the report of the Chemist of this Department, Dr. H. W. Wiley, who for many years, and until the work was intermitted for a few years preceding my assumption of office, was in charge of the sugar-experiment work, which has formed the basis of most of the work undertaken by private enterprise in this important industry. The second part consists of the report of the field agent, Mr. Charles F. Saylor, appointed May 10, 1897, who has ijersonally visited during the j)ast season every State and locality mentioned in his report, inspect- ing- sugar-beet plantations and beet-sugar factories and interviewing the practical growers and manufacturers. During the past five years the people of the United States have paid to foreign producers over half a billion dollars for imported sugar. The total domestic product for 1807 was 335,650 tons, the total refined product of beet sugar 1,700,007 tons, making the total consumption for that year 2,090,263 tons. Of the total consumption of sugar' in the United States in 1897, 45 per cent was beet sugar. As the production of beet sugar in the United States in 1897 was barely 12^ per cent of the total domestic product, it follows that the percentage of beet sugar imported last year to the entire sugar imports must have been considerably over 45. 3 4 • LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. Inasmuch as the total amount of sugar now imported into the United States can be produced upon a million acres devoted to sugar crops, it is manifestly of the first importance that the selection of localities for the i)roduction of sugar beets should be most carefully and judiciously made, and to do this requires that the sections of the country best adapted to tlie growth of this valuable crop should be definitely deter- mined. This determination I conceive to be a duty clearly devolving upon this Department. The facts and figures as briefly presented to your attention eminently justify, in my opinion, the devotion of time, money, and talents on the part of this Department to the development of this important industry. They also explain the widespread popular interest in this subject, exi^ressions of which reach us on every side and from all quarters of the country. The demand for a farmers' bulletin on the subject of the sugar beet, prepared last year by the Chemist of the Department, both from Members of Congress for distribution to their constituents and from correspondents of the Department, has been such as to severely tax our limited appropriation for this class of publications. Nearly 150,000 copies of this bulletin have already been distributed, and the demand appears to be unabated. These facts, I believe, warrant the recommendation I have the honor to make in regard to this rei)ort, namely, that it be printed by the order of Congress in an edition suffi- cient to afford to this Department for its own distribution at least 20,000 copies, apart from the allotment which Congress may in its wisdom make for the use of its own Members. Another and very important reason exists for the printing of this report by Congress — that under the jiresent law, without the special authorization of Con- gress, only 1,000 copies could be printed by this Dei)artment. I have the honor to remain, Mr. President, ! Very respectfully. Jambs Wilson, Secretary. The President, .Executive Mansion. COISTTEI^TS. EEPORT OF CHP:MIST. Pago. Letter of transmittal 5 Prefatory note 11 References in Annual Report of the Department of Agriciiltnre to matters relating to tbe beet-sugar industry 12 List of bulletins issued by tlie division of chemistry, relating in whole or in pftrt to sugar beets 15 Plan of investigations for 1897 IG Climatology 21 Other conditions 23 Map of thermal belt 23 Changes in the new maps 24 Triple isothermal lines 24 Beet zone 25 Annual rainfall 25 Study of particular localities 27 North Carolina and West Virginia 27 Eastern Shore of Maryland 27 Delaware 28 New Jersey 28 Connecticut 29 Massachusetts 29 New Hampshire and Vermont 29 New York 30 Pennsylvania 31 Ohio 31 Michigan 32 Indiana 32 Illinois 32 Wisconsin 32 Minnesota 33 Iowa 33 North and South Dakota , 34 Nebraska 35 The arid regions .- 35 Data from difi"ert>nt States 37 Data obtained in the laboratory of the Department of Agriculture 40 Cautions regarding the value of data 41 Study of the analytical data 56 Arizona 56 Report by R. H. Forbes, chemist 56 Arkansas 60 California 60 Colorado 61 Report by William P. Ileadden, chemist 63 6 CONTENTS. -*?tiuly of the analytical data — Continued. Page. Idaho 64 Illinois 68 Indiana 68 Eeport by H. A. Huston and J. M. Barrett 71 Iowa 72 Kansas 74 Kentucky 70 Maryland 77 Michigan 78 Minnesota 81 Report by Harry Snyder, chemist 82 Missouri 83 Montana 85 Nebraska 86 Keport by H. H. Nicholson 86 Nevada 87 New Jersey 88 Experiments by .lames B. Vredenbnrgh 89 New Mexico 90 Eeport by C. T. .Jordan, special agent 90 New York 93 Eeport by W. S.Jordan, director of experiment station at Geneva. ... 94 Eeport by I. P. Eoberts, director of experiment station at Ithaca 96 Elevations of region of New York suited to beet culture 98 North Dakota 99 North Caroliua 99 Ohio 100 Oklahoma 103 Eeport by G. E. Morrow, director 103 Oregon 103 Eeport by G. W. Shaw 104 Pennsylvania 108 Ehode Island 110 South Carolina 110 South Dakota 110 Texas 112 Tennessee 113 Virginia 114 ' Eeport by William B. Alwood, vice-director 114 Washington 115 Eeport by Elton Fulmer, chemist 116 AVisconsin 119 Wyoming - - . - 123 Vermont 124 Eeport by Joseph L. Hills, director .' 125 Influence of temperature on the quality of sugar beets 125 Sugar beets as cattle food 128 Use of beet pulps as cattle food 129 Diffusion pulps or exhausted cosettes 130 Feeding experiments with beet pulp 131 Beef cattle '. 131 Oxen 131 Milch cows .• li>l Sheep 132 Experiments made with ewes 132 Experiments by Andouard and i )ezaunai 1^^ CONTENTS. 7 "Page. Summary of data collected in previous years . . . , 134 Notes on preceding table 140 Investigation in seed production 141 Tennessee 144 Report by Charles W. Vanderford 145 Kentucky 145 Indiana 146 Iowa - 146 Report by C. F. Curtiss 147 Wisconsin 147 Analyses made in laboratory of Department of Agriculture 150 New York 155 Data of each variety 156 Vilmorin's la plus riche 156 Vilmorin's Improved Schuyler seed 156 Vilmorin's Improved 156 Demesmay 157 Vilmorin's Improved Elite, grown by Dippe Bros. 157 High Grade Commercial Kleinwanzlebener 157 Original Kleinwanzlebener (Holland) 157 Kleinwanzlebener Elite 157 Classiiication of the beets of all varieties 158 Preservation o^f mother beets , 158 Growth of seed from mothers above described 158 Necessity of seed development 158 REPORT OF FIELD AGENT. The experiments in gi'o wing sugar beets in 1897 IGl Tbe extensive consumption of sugar 161 Present status of the industry 162 The sugar-beet belt 164 The work of the Department 165 Modifying conditions 166 Physical condition of the soil 167 Altitude 168 The importance of the industry to this country 169 Rents and values 169 High state of land culture 170 Employment of labor and demand for crude material 170 By-products 171 Molasses 172 Alcohol 174 Food for stock 174 Fertilizers 174 The United States as a competitor of Europe in the l)eet-sugar industi-y 175 Natural fertility of the soil 175 American ingenuity and enterprise 176 Favored markets 177 Comparatively small area needed 177 General observations on experiments of last year 178 Experimental beet plants 178 Preparation of the soil for experiments 179 Planting- of experimental beds 180 Cultivation of experimental plats 181 8 CONTENTS. General observations on experiments of last year — Continued. ' Pa^e. Sampling 181 Yield, or "tonnage," per acre 182 Small beets 182 The factor of intelligence in farming 183 Local prosperity attending the beet-sugar industry 184 The ■work of the experiment stations 184 Organized effort 185 General suggestions for raising sugar beets 186 Soil and preparation of the seed bed 186 Planting 187 Planting and cultivating implements 188 AVidth of rows 189 Thinning and bunching 190 The time for thinning 190 Cultivation 191 Harvesting , 191 Silos 191 Harvesting implements 192 Irrigation 193 Subirrigation 195 Blight in beets 196 Conditions in the spring of 1897 196 Value of crop 197 Beet seed 199 Factory conditions 200 Quality of beets 201 Pure water 201 Fuel 201 Limestone 202 Markets 203 Original cost 203 Permanent agricultural conditions 203 Lime and Avater for beet-sugar factory purposes 205 Salts in solution and their efl'ect in water nscd in sugar manufacture 205 Mclassigenic salts 206 Lime rocks and waters used in the manufacture of beet sugar 207 Answers of factorj' ofheials to questions relative to factory work 208 Observations growing out of answers to questions submitted to factory operators 212 Cost of factories 212 Estimate of a beet-sugar factory of 300 tons capacity jier day 213 Estimate of cost, running expenses, and profits of a beet-sugar factor}' of capacity of 500 tons of beets i)er day 215 New factories 216 Pulp feeding 216 Crude materials required per ton of boots worked 217 Sugar consumption of leading European countries and the United States 218 ; Rate of increase in consumption of sugar per cai)ita 218 The beet-sugar industry in Germany 219 Experience of successful growers of sugar beets 220 Answers to questions 220 ILLUSTRATIONS. Paga Platk 1. Map showing isothermal lines of 68°, 69°, 70=, and 71° F. for the months of June, July, and August, and mean tenijieratnres for the same months at other points in the State of New York and jiarts of adjacent States on the East 22 2. ]\Iap showing the proLahlo areas suited to beet culture 24 [) SPECIAL REPORT ON THE REET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. H. W. Wiley. LETTER OF SUBMITTAL. IT. S. DepartiMent op Agriculture, Division of Chemistry, Washington, D. C, March 2, 189S. Sir: I submit herewith for your cousitleration tlie manuscript contaiuing the data of recent Investigations on the growth of sugar beets and the maiiufacture of sugar therefrom. Respectfully, H. W. Wiley, Chief of Division of Cliemisi^'i/, Hon. JaiJies Wilson, Secretary of Agriculture. PREFATORY NOTE. The investigations condncted by tlie Department of Agriculture for many years in the study of sugar-producing i)hints and methods of manufacturing sugar in the Uuited States were suspended by order of Secretary Morton in 1893. In resuming the study of this subject by order of Secretary Wilson, it is important that citations to the work already done be presented. The student of the subject will be able from these citations to have a general idea of the scope of the work which has been accomplished, and will be guided in further research by the data contained in the brief resume which will be appended. It is not i)ossible in such a list of citations to refer to the work which has been done by the agricultural experiment stations nor by private indi- viduals. A collection of the titles of all accessible works in Englisli relating to the subject of the sugar beet has been issued by the library of this Department as the library bulletin for June, 1897, entitled Eef- erences to the Literature on the Sugar Beet, Exclusive of Works in Foreign Languages. 12 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. Ill tlie resume of citations given below are first noted the publica- tions wliioh have been made in the annual reports of the Department of Agriculture, and afterwards a list of the special bulletins relating to beet sugar will be found. Many important papers have been jjub- lished in the annual reports, which stiulents of the beet-sugar industry might wish to consult. It is interesting to know that as early as 1807 Dr. Antisell, at that time the Chemist of the Department, pointed out the probability that an area or belt suited to the culture of the beet might be mapped out. He gave also some of the probable data which would be used in determining the limits of this belt. The annual report for 18(>8 contains a reference to the fact that Henry Clay visited Europe and made a study of the beet sugar industry on the Continent, and presented the results of his studies in a speech delivered in the Congress of the United States. Careful search of the records has not been able to discover this report in print. It is to be regretted that many of the agricultural reports are entirely 'out of print, and the same is true of the greater part of the bulletins which have been issued on the subject of beet sugar. It will therefore not be possible for the Superintendent of Public Documents to supply the bulletins which are marked out of print to those who may desire to secure them. Following the resume of the work already done is given an account of the investigations conducted under the supervision of the Cheniical Division of this Department during the year 1897. REFERENCES IN ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OP AGRICUL- TURE TO MATTERS RELATING TO THE SUGAR-BEET INDUSTRY. 1862. 536. Relative to the composition of beet juice. 1867. 32. Report of Thomas Autisell, Chemist, Department of Agricnltnro, Dr. Antisell indicates the following as the i^robahle ''beet belt," based on tempera- ttiro conditions: "The northern limit of the beet enlture is donbtful. On the plains of Russia it is grown where the isocheimal line is 10°. If this would hold good on this continent, there is no portion of the United States too cold for its culture. This vast extent of country is naturally divided into two regions, viz: (1) The middle division of the temperate zone of the United States, lying between parallels 39 and 13, comiirising Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, southern Idaho, with an area of 453,000 square miles, is favorable to beet culture, the mean annual temperature varying between 47° and 53° F ; (2) the district between parallels 36° and 39°, embracing the border States, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, with Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and nortliern California, possessing an area of 675,000 square miles and a mean annual temperature of 58° to 60° F., is also favorable to the beet; so that a belt of country 7° wide in latitude and with an extent of 1,129,000 8elcs8 task to attempt to introduce successfully the beet-sugar industry into this country. One of the great dangers to be avoided is the formation of hasty conclusions in regard to the proper localities for the production of the sugar beet. Often without any study whatever of the climatic conditions or of the character of the soil, ciloits are made to build large and expensive factories, which as often have to bo abandoned on account of having been Avrongly located. The studies which have been made heretofore in regard to climatic conditions have been of such a nature as to locate, in a general way, the areas in the United States suitable for the culture of the sugar beet. It has been found in general that the coast valleys of California, and probably large areas in Oregon and Washington, certain parts of the Dakotas and Nebraska, localities in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan, parts of northern Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and New York present favorable conditions ior sugar-beet culture; but in the regions thus broadly intimated there are certain restricted areas most suitable to the sugar beet, and it is only these restricted ai-ens to which we must look for success. The fiict that in one locality, for instance in Nebraska, good sugar beets can be produced would be no Avarrant whatever for assuming that all parts of that State were equally suitable for this purpose, and this remark may be applied to every one of the States mentioned above. Sugar beets have also been raised in other sections in the United States, notably in New England, Now Jersey, Delaware, and Kansas, and while there may bo areas in the New England States where beets can be successfully grown, it must be admitted that the States last named stand in the second rank of beet-sugar produ(!- ing localities. In Kansas, during the last year, as will be shown in the body of this report, sugar beets were grown and a considerable quantity of sugar manufactured therefrom. This, however, does not show that Kansas will be able to compete with more favorable States in the iiroduction of beet sugar. In general, it may be said that the summers in Kansas are too hot to expect the production of a sugar beet uniform in its nature and containing a high percentage of sugar. If the sugar-beet industry is to succeed in this country, the success must come from sharp competition with the same industry in older countries, where its condi- tions are better understood and where the localities suited to it have been selected by long and often costly exiierience. It nmst also compete Avith the sugar-cane industry, both of this country and of tropical countries, and for this reason Ave can only expect it to survive in those regions Avhere soil and climatic conditions, prox- imity to fuel, cheapness of labor, and other faA-^orable environments are found. It is to he hoped that the mistakes Avhich have so long threatened the sorghum- sugar industry Avith destruction may be aA'oided Avith the sugar beet. Calm judg- ment and sober reason must not give way to enthusiasm and extravagant expecta- tions. All conditions of success must be carefully studied, all the dithculties in the Avay of success must be intimately investigated and surmounted, and ample capital, coui)led with judicious perseverance, must be enlisted in its behalf. For the proper erection and completion of a beet-sugar factory not less than twelve months should be allowed, and even in tiiis time it can only be properly accomplished under (experienced technical control. BEET-SUGAR INDUSTliY IN THE UNITED STATES. 19 111 Biilletiu No. 30 (ou page 7) the followiug ubservatious are found: Duly iu a few iustauces were the directions of tlie Departuieut followed out to the letter. In most cases the plaiitiug and cultivation of the beet sliced were conducted according to such methods as the agriculturist might hit upon at the tiuu^. From the iuforiuatiou gathered it was found that the chief variation from the instructions was in the preparation of the soil. In very few cases was a subsoil plow used and most of the beets which wore sent to the Department were evidently grown iu soil of insufficient depth. Iu some cases, whore the exact directions for cultivation were carried out, the character of the beets received showed by contrast with tlio others the absolute necessity of employing the best methods of agriculture for their pro- duction. Iu liulletiu ISTo. 33 (ou page 9) the followiug statemeut is mae uniformly too high for uormal beets. It is estimated that not less than 10 per cent should be subtr.acted from the number for sugar to express the uormal percentage of sugar in the beets as originally harvested. Iu Bulletin No. 30 (on page 28) the ideas outlined above are some- what expanded iu the following words: Before proceeding to discuss the data in the preceding tables, attention shoukl bo called to the fact that in previous reports of this kind some dissatisfaction has been expressed in some States on accouut of the poor showing of the samjiles theret'rom. In ibrmer reports attention has been particularly called to the probability that the data obtained by this method of cxperimeutation are not wholly reliable and in all cases do not truly represent the capabilities of any locality for beet-sugar production. It is true that a large number of data received from a given State will indicate, in a general way, whether or not that State is capable of ])roducing a good sugar l)eet, but where the number of data is limited, it may be that the agricultural conditions under which the samples were produced were so poor, ov the season so exceptional, as to prevent a fair judgment of the capabilities of the soil and climate. On the 20 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. other lian«l, tho culture which the samples received may have heeu so careful aud the seasoual conditious so favorable as to produce a beet far above the average which could be produced in tho whole State. Again, tho loss of moisture during transportation, or the failure of the farmers to send their beets in as soon as liarvested, nniy tend to reduce the amount of water l>reseut in tho beet and to raise correspondingly the ([uantity of sugar therein. Inas- niueh as the analyses are made on the expressed juice, this would tend to show always an increased amount of sugar over that present naturally in the beets. All these disturbing inllnences must be taken into consideration in judging the data Avhich have been recorded. This has been said in general explanation so as to forestall any criticisms which may be made of the value of the data obtained. To illustrate more particularly what is meant, attention is called to tho instance, say, of Colorado and Montana. From tho State of Colorado one hundred and twenty- three samples were received for analysis, and from the State of Montana only one sanii>le. Any comparison, therefore, between the average results of the two States would be simply absurd. "While one hundred and twenty-three samples from Colo- rado, showing, as they do, fine possibilities of sugar-beet culture, indicate that tho State of Colorado is capable of producing beets of high quality, the single sample from Montana, whether it proved exceptionally poor or exceptionally fine, eould have been no criterion by which the capabilities of the State for beet sugar could be judged. In connection with the tentative results Avhich have been obtained by this kind of work should be considered tho characteristics of the soil and climate of each locality, and by putting the two together a fairly good idea can be formed of the possibilities ol' beet-sugar production. The reader should carefully bear the above explanation in mind, both in looking over the data in the tables and in reading the remarks thereon which follow. In Bulletin Xo. o9 (on page 8) in commenting on the results of the year's Avork, the following statements are made: i The general results of the work this year are somewhat discouraging as cnni- l>ared with previous years. Throughout a great part of the beet-growing region the summer was excessively dry, and large numbers of total failures were reported. In former reports attention has been called to the fact that the present method of experiment is unsatisfactory, and tho reasons therefor have been fully set forth. The farmers are so busy with other work that, as a rule, they are not able to give careful attention to the experimental details. They do not have the time to suitably prepare the soil for beet culture, nor do tbey give the growing beet proper attention. When tho time for harvesting comes they are usually engaged in other fiirm work, 80 that the beets are not harvested at the right time, nor are data obtained by means of which any accurate estimate of the yield per acre can be determined. The analytical data, therefore, of such work are usually fragmentary and far from teaching any definite lesson in regard to the industry itself. In general, however, the data bear out those of previous years in showing the areas in this country where tho best beets can be grown. It is in these regions that the development of the industry must be expected. There is probably not a State or Territory in the Union which is not capable of growing a fair article of sugar beets. Even in the far South beets of fair sugar eon- tent have been jn-oduced, and with good tonnage; but when the competition of the world is to be met, with the iirieo of sugar as low as it is now, only those parts of the country where the soil and climate are especially favorable can be expected to compete successfully with the beet-sugar industry already firmly estal)lished in older countries. Tho sole valuable lesson, therefore, of tho promiscuous distribution of beet seed is in the fact that, as a ru.le, those regions best suited to the growth of the sugar beet will gradually be outlined, and intending investors led to the proper localities for the establishment of factories. BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 21 The gri>at success of tlie beet-sugar industry ou the Pacific coast leads to tlio con- clusion that if the northern part of the eastern and central portions of our country is to become the scat of a groat sugar industry, every possible advantage must bo taken of soil and location, in order to compete successiully vrith the beot lields of California, Washington, and Oregon. The experience of the past seasou, as will be seen from the data in the following pages, has served only to give additional point to tlie observations made in previous bulletins. The sugar-beet industry in this country has now reached a i)oint where it is incumbent upon the National Government to secure a com- plete and accurate agricultural survey of the country in respect of growing beets. The competition in sugar making is now so keen that only those localities where natural conditions are best will, in the end, be found sustaining the industry. If we depend upon costly experi- ment to delimit these localities, hundreds of thousands of dollars will be wasted in the attempt. At a comparatively small expense, the Department of Agriculture will be able to have made careful and accurate surveys, based upon experimental data, to point out the regions where the sugar industry is most likely to succeed. This, however, can not be done by the promiscuous kind of experimentation which the Department has been compelled heretofore to pursue. Up to this time a sufiicient scientific interest in the matter has not been aroused among the people to secure the kind of a survey which is necessary. Kow, however, the conditions have changed. The agricultural experiment stations in most of the States are thoroughly aroused in this matter. They are willing, with the cooperation of the Department, to undertake an agricultural survey of their respective localities. In addition to this, intelligent men, either in their capacity of private citizens or as representatives of boards of trade, or of business men's associations, are ready to supervise, in limited districts, series of experiments whicli will give satisfactory Jinswers to the questions which must l)e finswered before the sugar-beet industry is fully established. It will therefore be the object of ihe Department in subsequent work, espe- cially that of 1898, to secure in each locality interested in the matter, a few carefully conducted experiments. To this end it is urged that the experiment stations in the various States arrange with 25, 50, 100, or more representative farmers, who can be relied upon to do good work, to grow plats of beets in size of not less than half an acre. CLIMATOLOGY. It is evident that one of the first things to be considered, after the soil itself, in connection with the sugar-beet industry is the climate. The sugar beet is a plant very susceptible to climatic conditions. At the beginning of its growth the beet plant is peculiarly helpless. It can not lift, in passing from the germ to the new plant, the lightest clod. A rain which i)acks the surface of the soil immediately after germination will sometimes i>reveut the plant from reaching the light. 22 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. After 'the plant is establisLed it requires a considerable quantity of water for its proper growth; this water must be supplied either by the rainfall of the locality, by irrigation, or by the subsoil. High tempera- tures extending over loug periods of time are peculiarly injurious to the storing of sugar in the tuber. While high temperatures may not dimin- ish the tonnage yielded by a field, nor apparently produce any injuri- ous effects, in so far as the external appearance of the mature i)lant is concerned, it will be found, as a rule, tliat plants grown under such condi- tions of temperature are less rich in sugar than others grown in a milder climate. Since the x>roduction of sugar in the leaf of a plant is a joint function of the chlorophyll cells and sunlight, it is found that the high northern latitudes, where the summer days are exceptionally long and the nights corres])ondingly short, tend to produce, other conditions being the same, a beet rich in sugar. The climatic conditions of this country are so diiferent from those of Europe as to render of little value the general conclusions which experience has drawn from the effect cff climate, in the beet-sugar producing countries of Europe, on the sugar content of the beet itself. Nevertheless, it is seen that in Europe the great centers of the beet- sugar industry are in regions far to the north, in fact, so far north as to make it impracticable ever to expect, in this country, to establivSh the centers of the industry on the same parallels of latitude. When it is considered for a moment that the great capi- tals of Europe — St. Petersburg, London, and Berlin — are situated 1,4{)0, 870, and 940 miles, resxiectively, north of Washington, and yet in pros- perous agricultural communities the above statement does not create surprise. The vicissitudes of climatic conditions in northern Europe are also less marked than they are in the United States. Tliroughout the beet-growing area of Europe it is expected that tlie summers will be mild. They are not attended with many days of excessive heat. Spring comes early and i^ermanently ; the autumn comes slowly and late. In Erance and Belgium a severe frost is not expected in May, nor is it anticipated that ice of a considerable thickness will form in October. Tlie summer days in these localities are considerably longer thaii even in the more northern portions of our country, and at least an hour longer than in the centers of our greatest agricultural j)rosperity. We find, there- fore, so great a deviation in their climatic conditions that we can not apply with rigidity in this country the rules resi^ecting the climate deduced fiom the experience of European countries. With those rules n]»plicable, in this country, it would be easily demonstrable that the great center of the sugar-beet industry on this continent would be in Canada, and not in the United States. We have, therefore, had to dei>end so far largely on theory in the application of the principles of cliniatology in the culture of the sugar beet in the United States. The experimental data which have been at our disposal have been fragmen- tary, and, as has already been noted, have not been secured in the system- atic way desirable. The result is, even to-day, that many of our theories I . CORKECTIONS. For Plate I read Plate II. For Plate II read Plate I. BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 23 iu regard to climate are not yet substantiated by facts. In tbe ligbt of the data at band, iu tbe x>ublicatiou of previous reports it bas been assumed tbat tbe beet-sugar zone of tbe United States would be fouud located over an area of wbicb tbe soutbern limit would be marked by tbe mean i.sotberm of 71° F. for tbe summer montbs of June, July, and August. Wbile tbis temperature is considerably bigber tbau the mean temperature of tbe European beet-sugar areas for the same period of time, it bas always been evident tbat the beet area of tbe irnited States would necessarily be situated farther south than the like area of Europe. There are two reasons wbicb make tbis location imperative. In the first place, the more northern latitudes not only have late springs, but even after tbe spring is once established the Occurrence of a heavy frost is not unusual. In the second x)lace, these same latitudes have short autumns, and the occurrence of heavy frosts iu late October or early November are not at all unexpected. As a result of this, tbe season for the growth and harvest of the beet is too short if we should apply for the mean summer temperature the same rules as obtain iu Europe. It is evident, however, that the assumption of the mean isotherm of 71° for June, July, and August as the southern limit of the beet-sugar area is based upon so many independent conditions as to render it only use- ful as a working basis. I OTHER CONDITIONS. In connection with the temperature must be considered tbe rainfall, the contour and the nature of the soil, the possibility of irrigation, the abundance of subsoil moisture, the proximity of coal, limestone, and water, price of labor, facilities for distribution and transportation, and many other matters which are important in a discussion of the subject. It is further evident that the tracing of a single isothermal line and tbe arbitrary addition thereto of a certain width of land on either side do not give even the proper theoretical thermal basis for a careful study of climatic conditions. MAP OF THERMAL BELT. For this reason, the present report is supplied with a new map (Plate I), which bas been kindly ju'epared by the Weather Bureau at our request, in which the isothermal lines for June, July, and August have been traced with greater care and from data extending over a longer period of time.' The result of these new studies has been to change from former maps, in some cases slightly and iu some cases considefably, tbe position of the mean isotherm of 70° for tbe three summer months named. This change, as will be seen by consulting tbe new map, is most marked in 'Data supplied, through tlie courtesy of Mr. Willis S. Moore, chief of the Weather Bureau, Ly Mr. A. .1. Henry. The map was drawn by the draftsmen of the Bureau] under Mr. Henry's direction. 24 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. the case of tlie State of New York, where in former maps the mean isotherm of 70^ was traced in a line running almost directly west from Albany to Buffalo. CHANGES IN THE NEW MAP. In the new map the influence of the Allegheny Mountains on tempera ture has been more carefully studied, and as a result there has been a considerable deflection of the isotherm of 70° to the south and south- west. The general trend of this isotherm from Albany is in a south- westerly direction until the Allegheny Mountains are crossed, wh.ere it turns in a westerly direction until it reaches its former location practi- cally in the neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. Tlie position of this isotherm from this point westward is so nearly the same as that of the other map as to require no particular mention. The State of New York, however, especially that portion of it lying between Albany and Buffalo, has peculiar thermal conditions, and these are shown in a special map of that State (PI. II). A considerable area of the State with a mean summer temperature Of 70° is found in the northwestern part in the neighborhood of Rochester, while between this area and the continuous isotherm of 70°, as traced upon the map, is a considerable space of territory where the mean summer temperature is considerably below 70°. This area, however, corresponds more nearly to the beet areas of northern Europe than any other portions of our country. The tempera- ture and other climatic conditions in this area are more uniform ])y reason of the modifying eflect.s of the Great Lakes on the winds which blow from the west and northwest. The experimental data which have been collected show, therefore, that this area, although in many cases the mean summer temperature is below 70°, is peculiarly suited to the production of beets of a high sugar content. The comparatively mild springs and autumns also favor the planting and harvesting of the beet, so that the conditions of this area are as favorabh> to the production of beets of the proper grade as those areas lying immediately contiguous to the mean isotherm of 70°. TRIPLE ISOTHERMAL LINES. As a single isothermal line passing across the country affords a very narrow basis for study, it has been deemed advisable in the map here- with presented to take as the nucleus of the isothermic sugar zone not merely the isotherm of 70°, but that belt of territory, varying in width, M'hich is bounded by the isotherms of G9° upon the north and 71° ujion the south. The isotherm of 70° is found between these two, usually occupying the center of the belt, or nearly so, but sometimes approach- ing more nearly the one or the other. If, now, we add to the outside of the belt of irregular width, thus outlined by the two isotherms men- tioned, on the south a stri]) of country of vai-ying width and on the north an area bounded by the limit of dangerous frosts, this area will Map showing the probable Areas suited to Beet Culture. X w J \ \\r tVatsonnff'- WiW \\\ Sa/iiya.-: 1 ^ ScottaMar^a % ffixejieme i ^^#r;4^/M Lo.sAt*rJi "' \\ ^ ^\ PUtlWHED BV 1>R H W, WM.EV. Bhs rigurts^lneka of urumal rain/ali. . D. C . M«'t* 15. iSfS. a Doc Jf/i BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 25 ])ractic'ally include the whole of the United States which, from theo retical conditions of temperature, is best suited to the growth of sugar beets of a high saccharine content. BEET ZONE. The shaded portions of the map herewith presented indicate in a general way this area. No attempt has been made to extend this lat- eral shading west of the Missouri Eiver. The paucity of data for the western part of the country, in connection with the extreme vicissitudes of climate, renders of little value any extension of the thermal belt. ANNUAL RAINFALL. Connected with tliis study, the annual precipitation is of the utmost importance. Tliere has therefore been marked upon the map, in the area covered by this belt, the mean precipitation, in inches, from 50 to 40, from 40 to 30, and so on down to the least recorded quantities of rainfall in the far western arid regions. The mean annual precipitation is, of course, of importance in deter- mining the relations of the different regions to the water supply and tlie need of irrigation. It is also important to know the mean preciju- tation for the months during which the chief growth of the crop and the harvest take i^lace, namely, for April, May, June, July, August, September, and October. The mean precipitation for each of these three months, as furnished by the Weather bureau for the localities mentioned, is indicated in the following tables: Monthly averages of rainfall, April-Octoher. Stations. MASSACHUSETTS, Amherst Boston Fall liiver Fitchbiirg Lowell New Bedford Spriugfield , Taunton Worcester CONNECTICUT. Hartford New Haven. New L'^udou Mlddletov.'n Sontliiugton Wallingford NEW Y01!K. Albany Buttalo Cooperstown (Jonverneur Ithaca New York City. .. NortU Salom..' Lati- tiulo. 42 22 42 21 41 42 42 36 42 39 41 39 42 05 41 54 42 16 41 45 41 18 41 21 41 33 41 35 41 27 42 40 42 53 42 42 44 25 42 27 40 43 41 20 Longi-'Eleva- tilde, tion. 72 32 71 04 71 09 71 50 71 17 70 56 72 35 71 05 71 49 72 40 72 56 72 05 72 39 72 51 72 49 73 45 78 53 74 57 75 35 76 30 73 58 73 34 Num- ber of years. 235 12 259 433 104 100 70 30 473 38 10 8 37 152 73 32 587 1, 300 423 375 52 301 Apr. 3.1 3.8 3.9 2.9 3.6 3.6 3.2 3.6 3.7 3.0 3.3 3.7 3.4 3.1 3.6 2.8 2.5 2.6 2.1 2.2 3.4 3.4 May, 3.9 3.7 4.0 3.8 3.7 3.8 3.6 3.9 3.6 3.8 3.2 4.2 3.6 3.4 3.6 2.7 3.4 4.0 4.4 Juno. 3.7 3.2 3.1 3.3 3.3 3.0 3.8 2.5 3.1 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.5 2.8 3.6 4.1 3.5 4.1 2.7 3.7 3.8 3.5 July. 4.5 3.6 3.5 3.7 3.8 3.1 4.5 3.5 3.8 4.1 4.5 4.0 4.3 3.9 4.2 4.2 3.2 4.3 2.8 3.5 4.0 4.0 4.4 4.3 4.4 4.3 4.4 3.9 4.5 4.2 4.5 4.6 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.6 5.0 4.0 3.2 4.1 2.3 3.0 4.7 4.1 Sept. 3.4 3.4 3.3 3.2 3.3 3.3 3.4 2.8 3.5 3.2 3.8 3.4 3.0 2.9 3.6 3.5 3.3 3.4 3.1 3.0 3.4 3.1 3.9 3.8 4.5 4.1 3.8 3.7 4.2 3.8 4.4 3.9 3.8 4.4 4.1 3.6 4.2 3.5 3.6 3.3 3.4 2.9 3.6 4.1 Total. 26.9 25. 8 26.7 25.3 2.5. 9 24.4 27.8 23.7 27.1 25.4 27.0 27.0 27. 5 24.1 28.4 25. 7 22.7 25.4 19.1 21.7 26.9 26. 26 BEET-SUGAPt INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. Monthly averages of rainfall, April-Ocioher — Coutinued. 1 Sections. i Lati- tude. Longi- tude. t Eleva- tion. Nnni- )er of -ears. Apr. May. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Tfltal. NEW YORK— cont'd. Oswego Paleriuo Rochester Dtica ... ( 43 29 43 20 43 08 43 06 7,9 22 40 23 1 40 45 40 30 40 45 40 14 39 29 41 23 41 38 42 07 39 49 < 76 35 76 22 77 42 75 13 74 25 74 57 74 10 74 27 74 15 74 45 75 01 75 09 75 18 80 05 77 15 335 "494 473 13 75 13 48 141 33 97 "i'ioo" 086 624 320 745 32 68 639 498 415 582 812 611 1,030 663 579 767 850 1,052 863 844 1,040 815 753 667 586 "sso 1,063 698 800 674 648 589 505 786 845 475 "'sig' 737 670 688 452 771 600 730 528 656 26 42 27 41 23 25 52 43 28 24 25 25 25 23 24 25 54 72 26 24 12 15 41 17 69 25 39 26 23 35 11 10 14 14 13 27 16 19 13 26 28 10 16 19 22 30 17 12 11 11 13 45 15 10 25 41 11 6 22 14 17 2.1 2.3 2.5 2.7 3.3 3.3 3.5 3.7 3.3 3.7 3.3 3.2 2.5 2.5 3.5 3.0 3.0 3.4 3.4 2.5 3.5 3.7 2.7 3.2 3.3 3.1 3.4 2.2 3.0 3.0 2.9 3.4 3.7 3.4 3.2 3.6 3.7 3.5 3.5 3.6 2.9 2.9 4.1 4.0 3.2 3.0 3.2 2.9 2.7 3.5 3.0 2.8 4.2 3.0 2.9 3.2 3.8 2.2 3.3 2.7 3.7 2.8 2.8 3.3 3.5 3.1 4.4 4.0 3.9 3.2 4.1 3.9 4.0 3.4 3.8 4.0 4.6 3.5 3.8 3.8 3.4 4.6 4.4 3.5 4.2 3.9 3.9 3.9 3.4 4.2 3.4 4.5 4.5 4.4 4.7 3.9 4.0 4.8 5.0 4.2 4.3 3.8 4.2 4.8 4.1 4.0 3.7 4.1 3.5 3.1 3.6 3.7 3.9 5.0 3.9 4.0 3.8 4.2 3.2 4.0 3.9 4.6 3.4 3.3 3.3 4.3 3.0 3.8 3.5 3.9 3.0 3.9 3.3 4.1 3.1 3.9 3.5 4.4 3.6 3.8 4.0 3.8 3.9 4.0 3.9 3.5 4.1 4.0 4.0 3.4 4.1 3.8 3.7 4.1 4.3 4.0 3.8 4.5 4.2 4.2 4.5 3.9 4.4 4.6 5.7 4.1 3.8 3.7 4.1 4.0 3.8 4.2 4.1 4.3 4.8 4.0 3.6 3.7 4.2 3.2 4.8 3.9 4.3 3.1 1 3.3 3.0 4.7 3.5 4.4 4.4 4.7 4.9 5.5 4.3 5.0 4.6 2.8 3.4 4.2 4.0 4.0 4.7 3.4 3.4 3.5 3.4 3.2 4.4 4.4 4.0 3.1 3.4 3.9 2.7 3.2 2.4 2.8 4.9 4.2 3.7 2.9 2.2 3.5 4.1 3.4 3.4 4.8 3.3 3.4 3.2 3.7 2.9 4.6 3.0 3.7 3.9 3.1 3.6 4.0 2.7 2.2 3.6 3.7 4.5 2.6 2.7 3.0 3.5 4.3 4.9 .5.0 4.9 5.2 5.3 4.9 4.9 3.8 3.3 3.6 3.9 3.4 4.3 4.0 3.2 3.3 2.7 3.1 3.2 3.9 3.3 3.9 2.7 2.7 3.3 2.7 2.7 2.7 3.5 3.4 3.3 3.5 2.9 2.7 3.9 3.3 3.0 3.0 3.6 3.4 2,9 3.6 4.2 3.0 2.5 2.8 3.7 3.4 3.0 2.9 3.0 2.1 1.5 3.2 3.3 4.5 2.8 3.2 2.4 3.5 3.2 4.3 3.8 3.8 4.0 4.0 4.0 3.1 2.8 4.0 3.0 3.6 2.9 3.5 3,9 2.8 3.8 3.7 3.0 2.6 3.1 3.2 3.5 2.4 2.6 3.1 3.8 3.9 2.6 3.6 3.2 3.1 2.7 3.1 3.1 4.1 3.1 2.5 3.3 4.1 3.2 3.0 3.3 4.1 3.6 3.8 2.6 3.8 2.9 2.8 2.9 3.5 3.3 1.7 ' 2.4 j 3.2 1 3.5 3.3 3.4 2.9 3.5 3.2 3.6 3.6 3.4 3.7 4.0 3.4 3.6 .3.3 4.1 3.1 3.3 2.8 3.2 2.9 2.3 3.8 2.5 2.8 2.6 3.1 2.2 3.1 2.4 2.6 2.1 2.3 1.9 2.2 2.0 3.0 2.8 -2.2 2.5 2.5 2.8 2.2 3.6 2.5 2.9 2.9 2.7 2.1 2.6 2.7 2.2 2.7 2.4 2.8 2.8 2.3 2.5 1.7 1.5 3.2 1.6 2.5 20.1 21.0 20.4 25.7 NEW JERSEY. Atlantic City Lauibertvillo 23.6 28.7 27.8 New Brunswick 28.3 27.9 30.5 27.1 PENNSYLVANIA. Blooming Grove 27.9 23.5 Erie 24.4 24.1 40 16 S 76 53 40 22 79 59 27.0 23.2 39 53 39 17 75 10 76 37 26.0 MARYLAND. 26.7 Cumberland 39 39 1 78 45 39 43 77 20 39 24 77 24 21.4 26.3 25.1 OHIO. 41 30 39 58 39 30 40 11 40 25 41 40 41 36 40 04 41 36 41 09 39 40 40 U 41 05 39 40 40 28 40 45 39 37 39 51 39 48 40 48 39 57 40 12 41 47 41 52 41 10 40 56 41 27 40 18 41 16 42 15 39 29 41 40 41 22 40 42 39 59 40 54 42 15 41 32 41 31 81 42 83 00 81 26 83 35 80 41 83 34 84 07 82 46 85 00 85 30 85 03 85 10 85 07 80 10 80 54 86 22 85 23 84 53 85 18 85 49 89 45 90 57 88 08 87 38 89 49 90 22 90 00 90 05 89 21 88 37 88 24 88 22 88 48 89 36 88 08 88 40 89 05 90 38 . 88 32 23.0 22.5 -25.8 XN)rth Lewisburg Steubenville 24.1 25.8 19. G 22.6 Westerville 22.6 INDIANA. 22. r Columbia City 23.7 22.3 24. ( 2.5. -i 25.5 24.8 Logansport . 24.1 22.7 Kiclimond 26.1 23.8 A\' abash 24.2 ILLINOIS. 26.8 27.6 23. J 22.4 23.6 25. ( 21. f 24.4 21.5 24.6 27. ( 22. ( Ottawa 22.2 23.'; I'hilo Puntiai- Kocklord Buck Island Arsenal . Saudwich..., 22.(1 15. S 24.5 22. S 27. e BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 27 Monilihi arcriujcs of rainfall, April-Octoher — Coiitiuued. Sections. ii.LiNOi.s — con t i 1 1 u c° and 70°, due to the Ajjpalachian system, and connect directly the area, in the neighborhood of llochester, where these temperatures obtain, with Albany, neglecting the intermediate temperatures, we should Imve the isotherms occupying practically the same position in this new map that BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 31 they were made to occu])y iu the former maps furiiislied by the Signal OiTice for this l)ei)artment. In the absence of definite information on the subject, it is fair to presume tliat the former maps were made in this way, and this accounts for the discrepancy in the i)Ositiou of the isotherm of 70° found in these maps and in the one now presented. Abundant experimental data go to show that the total area of the Siate of New York south of Saratoga is well suited to the growth of beets, wherever the physical conditions of contour are favorable and the soil suitable. The map of the beet area has therefore been extended so as to include this region in the beet belt. Pennsylvania. A large portion of the State of Pennsylvania, from the thermal point of view alone, is well suited to the growth of beets. The position occu- pied by the belt of territory included between the isotherms of GO'^ and 71'^, however, in the State of Pennsylvania indicates an area which, for physical reasons, is mostly unsuited to beet culture, as it covers prin- cipally the mountainous region of that State. The northwestern part of tlie State, especially the portion bordering on Lake Erie, has the same favorable conditions for beet culture as are found iu the great valley of the State of JSTew York; and the i)rincipal development of the industr}^ in that State, for the physical reasons mentioned above, must be looked for in that section. South of the isotherm of 71'^ there may be favorable regions in the southern and eastern portions of the State, but the altitude lias pushed the isotherms too far south to look for the best results in the southwestern part of the State, on account of the shorter days due to the more southern latitude. Where conditions of contour and fertility of soil ara favorable, the whole portion of Pennsylvania north and west of the isotherm of 71° may be regarded as favorable to beet culture. The precipitation immediately west of tlie Alleglieuy Mountains is not so great as on the east, but there is an area in the extreme northwestern part of the State where the mean average pre- cipitation is nearly the same as that east of the mountains, namely, between 40 and 50 inches. Ohio. The northeastern and northern parts of Ohio are well situated for beet culture. In general, the contour of the laud is favorable, being reasonably level, and the soil is fairly fertile. The conditions in these localities are fairly comparable with those in the State of jSTew York, except that the mean temperature is higher, the mean isotherm of 70° running iu a northwesterly direction across the northern i)art of Ohio and entering the lake near Sandusky. It is probable also that to a considerable distance south of the isotherm of 71°, good beets can be grown, but where so large an area is found with more favoring climatic conditions, it is not well to j)ush the industry too far south until more favorable localities are fully exploited. 32 BEET-WUGAK INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. Michigan. A large part of the southern x)eniusuhi of Michigan is directly in the heart of the beet belt. The contour of the soil is also favorable, being reat-onably level, with an av^eragc fertility, and the data which have been secured in actual experiments in those regions are of the most encouraging kind. There seems to be no doubt of the fact that this locality is among the best in the United Slates for beet culture, and the modifying influence of the lake on the autumnal climate must not be lost sight of. Indiana. The northern counties of Indiana, especially the northwestern, are situated in the beet area, and it is probable that the culture of the beet may be extended southward, as in the case of Ohio, as far as Fort Wayne and Lafayette, although it is not advisable for intending investors to locate in the more southern areas until the more north- ern have been fully exploited. The agricultural survey of the northern part of the State, undertaken by the experiment station at Lafayette, in conjunction with the work of this Department, Avill indicate linally with more accuracy than a mere theoretical map the most favorable conditions of culture. Great interest has been manifested in Indiana in the extreme southwestern portion, near Evansville, in the culture of the beet, and, as will be seen in the following data, many samples have been secured from that portion of the State. In many resi)ects this region is most favorable to beet culture, ijarticularly on account of the fticilities for transportation, cheapness of fuel, and the fertility of the soil. The mean summer temperature, however, is so high as to cause grave doubts concerning the future success of beet growth in that locality. The soil in northern Indiana is much like that of Michigan — sandy, reasonably level, and fairly fertile — and there is reason to believe that an industry in'ohtable both to the farmer and manufacturer may grow u]) in that part of the country. Illinois. The northern part of Illinois is in the beet-sugar belt, and the con- ditions in respect ol' contour of the surface and fertility of the soil, facilities and cheapness of transportation, etc., are excellent for the sugar-beet industry. The character of the soil in northern Illinois, however, is (piite difterent from that of northern Indiana and the southern peninsula of Michigan. It is mostly a. prairie soil, dark and underlaid with clay, so that the i)hysical conditions of culture are probably not so favorable as in the other sections just named. Wisconsin. Southern Wisconsin occupies a most fiivoralde position for beet culture, and the data which have been obtained from that State by the agricultural experiment station at Madison, in conjunction with the BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IIS THE UNITED STATES. 33 work of this Department, are favorable, and show great possibilities of success for tlie industry in that region. We begin to notice here the effects of the southwestern breezes in forcing northward the isotherms of 70° and 69°, and these hot breezes cut off from the culture of the beet large areas where soil and other conditions are extremely favor- able. The same remark should be applied to the belt of country imme- diately south of the isotherm of 71° that has heretofore been made, namely, that there are doubtless many sections where the successful culture of the beet may be secured. This is dependent upon local conditions which must be determined by careful agricultural surveys in the future. Minnesota. The deflection in a northwesterly direction of the isotherms of 70° and 69° includes in the sugar-beet area a large x>ortion of the State of Minnesota, especially the southeastern portion. Here there is no question of the growth of the crop and the i)roduction of beets of high saccharine qualities. The great point to be feared in this locality is the early approach of winter, and this is true of all the cis-montane western regions. We find here a drop in the raiufall from an annual average of 30 to 40 inches to one of from 20 to 30 inches. We there- fore meet here a greater possibility of suffering from a dry season than in the regions of the East. As a rule, however, the quantity of rainfall during the growing season is sufficient for the production of a good crop. Iowa. A remarkable deflection of the isotherms of 69° and 70° is noticed in passing from Minnesota to Iowa. Not only are these isotherms deflected toward the south, but they actually take a backward course toward the east, so that their direction for a considerable distance is east of south. This brings the theoretical beet belt, so far as tempera- ture is concerned, almost through the center of the State of Iowa. The well-known fertility of the soil of this State, with the generally level character of the surface, shows that the agricultural possibilities for the growth of sugar beets are great. In the greater part of the State the rainfall reaches 30 inches per annum, but in the northwestern part the approach to the arid region is shown by a dropping off" of the average rainfall, so that it is between 20 and 30 inches. Nevertheless, experience shows that, as a rule, a sufficient rainfall is provided in all parts of the State for the growth of ordinary agricultural crops. The isotherms of 69° and 70°, after passing partly across the State of Iowa, take a sudden turn toward the north and west and pass out of the State again into Minnesota, where they reach a more northern latitude than Minneapolis. With the exception of the southwestern «ount.ip^ of Iowa it is fair to presume that almost the whole of the area of trie State, in so far as thermal conditions and rainfall are concerned^ is H. Doc. 396 3 34 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. suited to the growth of beets. Of course, in this matter, it should be remembered, that local conditions of soil, transportation, fuel supply, and other factors must be taken into consideration. Iowa also occupies a position where there is no tempering influence of the northwestern winds, so that it begins to feel the rigors of the winter at an earlier date than is experienced on the same isotherms east of the Great Lakes. North and South Dakota. The conditions which prevail in Korth and South Dakota are some- what unique. From the highest position attained in Minnesota, at the border line between that State and North and South Dakota, the iso- therm of 69° turns again east and soutli and suffers a considerable deflection, due doubtless to the lower altitude of the Eed River Yalley. Passing, however, into Dakota the isotherms are rapidly pushed north- ward by reason of the hot southwest winds which are so often experi- enced in the summer time in those localities. For these reasons the isotherm of G9^ reaches almost as far north as Bismarck, and the iso- therm of 70° is only a few miles south of it. From this point the isotherms of 09° and 70° run almost due south from iSTorth Dakota entirely across the State of South Dakota and into Nebraska. The most favorable beet- sugar belt, in so far as the temperature alone jis concerned, would be the area bounded by the isotherms of 71 and' 69 degrees, occupying a belt of considerable breadth running north and south through South Dakota into North Dakota, and southeast through North Dakota back into South Dakota. The depression due to the Missouri River causes an area of higher temperature to extend in a northwesterly direction into South Dakota. This area, although per- haps not so favorable to beet growth as the other, is still situated in a fertile country, and doubtless has many advantages for growing beets not possessed by the higher lauds to the east and west of it. There is no question of the ability of both the regions within the area specified to grow beets of line saccharine strength. Abundant experimental data have been secured from both the States to substantiate this state- ment. Caution, however, must again be given in regard to the sudden advent of the winters, especially in North Dakota, where sometimes in October, and usually in November, temjjeratures approaching zero or even below zero, degrees Fahrenheit, are observed. These sudden falls of temperature would prove disastrous to the beet harvests, and hence tend to restrict to a certain degree the spread of the industry in that country. Again, attention should be called to the fact that the whole of the areas in the two Dakotas, where the thermal conditions are best suited to beet culture, has an average annual rainfall of only from 15 to 20 inches. The danger of drought and the possible shortage or loss of the crop from that source are therefore increased, and we begin to approacli an area where artificial irrigation must be looked to in many seasons. Probably, however, in the majority of seasons the rain- fall in this vicinity would be sufficient to secure a good crop. BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 35 Nebraska. A study of the position of the isotherms shows that the best part of the State of Nebraska, both as respects soil and rainfall, has an average temperature of more than 71° during the summer months. The most favorable conditions of temperature are found almost in the center of the State over an area of somewhat irregular shape, and occupying a position where the extreme distance separating the isotherms of 71° and 69° is the greatest of any in the country. In Nebraska the two isotherms of C9° and 70° run almost parallel, but the isotherm of 71° runs first in a southeasterly direction, then almost south, and finally almost due west, forming a stomach-shaped area occupying a portion of Dakota and the central portion of Nebraska. The agricultural and analytical data which have been obtained in Nebraska are very exten- sive, and it will be observed that both of the sugar factories which have been established in that State are south of the limit of 71°. It has been observed also, by those who have had access to the analytical data of these two factories, that the saccharine contents of the beets which have been delivered to them have not been equal to those of beets grown in more favorable localities in the United States. On the other hand, the insufficiency of the rainfall in the central and western portions of the State renders less certain the growth of sugar beets, and tends to crowd the sugar factories and the sugar industry into the wetter and more fertile jiortions, in spite of the fact that the temperature is higher. The Arid Regions. It will now be necessary to trace the theoretical sugar-beet belt, so far as thermal conditions are concerned, by States through the arid regions. There is so little of the area embraced in this belt which is subject to irrigation, that it is understood at once that the possible beet- sugar industry of that region must be confined to the most favorable localities. It is interesting to see, however, how the elevation produced by the Kocky Mountain range deflects the isotherms which have been traced in a generally westerly direction uj) to this point so far to the south. Passing from Nebraska, the isotherm of 70° runs in a south- westerly direction to a point southwest of Denver, whence it turns in a southeasterly direction to New Mexico, thence almost due south to near the Mexican border. Being deflected to the west, it ascends on the other side of the Eocky Mountain range in a general northerly and westerly direction, passing in a northwesterly direction through Utah, thence turning west and south in Nevada, being deflected again to the south by the Sierra Nevada range of mountains, which it crosses, pass- ing from Nevada into California, whence it passes northward again along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains until it comes near the coast line in the northern part of California. Thence the isotherm of 70° is deflected southward, almost parallel with the coast line, until it passes into lower California. It is seen that all the coast 36 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. valleys of California are included in the thermal belt most favorable to beet culture. The greater part of the area included in the thermal belt which has just been traced across the arid region is totally un suited, on account of the mountainous and rough region of the surface, for agricultural uses. It is therefore evident that it is only in isolated places, where the surface of the land is smooth and irrigation can be practiced, that beet culture can be established. In connection with the thermal belt, the map shows that the mean average rainfall in many cases does not exceed 5 inches per annum. In addition to the continuous belt thus marked out, there are some areas of varying temperature which demand attention, as, for instance, the elliptical area bounded by the isotherm of 70° in Idaho, of which Boise City is the center, and another area bound 1 by the isotherm of 70°, within which an isotherm of 71° is found, in the State of Washing- ton. There is also one locality in Montana, on the Yellowstone River, where the average summer temperature is 71°. In so far as thermal conditions are concerned, vast areas of the arid regions could be devoted to beet culture if the other conditions of cul- ture were favorable. The differences of elevation of the i)lateaus cause numerous sudden changes of temperature, so that there are doubtless many localities not marked on the map where the mean summer tem- perature is almost identical with that which has been already mapped out. By reason of the meagerness of data, experimental and other- wise, relating to this whole region west of the Missouri Eiver, the shading showing the probable extension of the beet area beyond the borders of the basic thermal belt has been omitted. The general dis- cussion of this thermal belt, accompanied as it is by the chart of pre- cipitation, is not necessary at this point. In general, in connection with this study, the remarks which are made in Bulletin No. 27, on page 169, and repeated in Farmers' Bulletin No. 52, may be recalled with profit : The mistake must not be made of supposing that all tlio region included within the boundaries of this zono is suitable for beet culture. Rivers, hills, and moun- tains occupy a large portion of it, and much of the rest would be excluded for vari- ous reasons. In the western portion, perhaps all but a small part of it would be excluded by mountains and drought. Begiuuing at a point midway between the one hundredth and one hundredth and first meridian, aa indicated by the dotted line, beets could be grown only in exceptional places without irrigation. On the Pacific coast only that portion of the zone lying near the ocean will be found suitable for beet culture. On the other hand, there are many localities lying outside the indicated belt, both north and south, where doubtless the sugar beet will be found to thrive. The map, therefore, must bo taken to indicate only in a general way those localities at or near which we should expect .success to attend the growth of sugar beets in the most favorable conditions other than temperature alone. The present map (Plate 1) gives in greater detail than ever before the boundaries of this thermal belt, by reason of the fact that the BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 37 observations of tlie \ leather Bureau have been more numerous, and have been compiled in a more systematic manner. It would be idle to assert that subsequent observations of the Weather Bureau may not change in a marked degree the boundaries of the belt which has been mapped. It is also quite true that the agricultural surveys which will be conducted by the several States will locate definitely, beyond the limits already outlined, the areas where successful beet culture will be practiced. I may venture the prediction, however, that these areas will be contiguous to the zone which is already mapped out, and that the future beet-sugar industry of the United States, when it shall have reached a magnitude sufQcient to supply to our people a large part of the sugar they consume, will be located almost entirely within the areas which have thus been traced. DATA FROM DIFFERENT STATES. Two methods of collecting the data from States have been pursued. In the first place, those receiving seeds directly from the Department of Agriculture were supplied with Farmers' Bulletin No. 52, giving instructions for preparing the soil, and planting and cultivating the beets. Each person was also supplied with a series of blanks for the purpose of obtaining cultural and climatic data, and for securing as great accuracy as possible in the reports which were made. The data blanks used are represented in the following forms: United States Department of Agriculture. Washington, D. C, August 15, 1897. DiEECTlONS FOR TAKING SAMPLES OF SUGAR BEETS FOR ANALYSIS. Prepared by H. W. WiLEY, Chief of Division of Chemistry. When the beets appear to be mature (September 15 to November 15, according to latitude and time of planting) and before any second growth can take place, select an average row or rows, and gather every plant along a distance which should vary as follows, according to the width between rows : From rows 16 inches apart, length 75 feet. From rows 18 inches apart, length 66 feet. From rows 20 inches apart, length 59 feet. From rows 22 inches apart, length 54^ feet. From rows 24 inches apart, length 50 feet. From rows 28 inches apart, length 42Tpff feet. The beets growing in the row, of the length above mentioned, are counted. The tops are removed, leaving about an inch of the stems, the beets carefully washed free of all dirt and wiped with a towel. Where the row is not long enough to meet the conditions, take enough from the adjacent row or rows to make up the required length. Eows of average excellence must be selected; avoid the best or poorest. Throw the beets promiscuously in a pile and divide the pile into two parts. This subdivision, of one-half each time, is continued until there are about ten beets in a pile. From these ten select two of medium size. Be careful not to select the largest or smallest. 38 BEET -SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. From all of the rest of the beets, save these two, the necks are removed with a sharp knife at the point indicated by the dotted line in the figure (fig. 1). The beets, including the two saved as a sample, are then weighed. The nnmher of beets hnrvested multiplied by 435.6 will give the total number per acre. The total weight of beets harvested multi- plied by 435.6 will give the yield per acre. Wrap the two sam- ple beets carefully in soft paper, and write your name legibly thereon. The beets must be jierfectly dry. Fill out the blank de- scribing the beets, in- close it in the envelope, and sew it up in the bag with th(i beets. Attach the inclosed shipi>ing tag to the bag and send the pack- age by mail. No beets \\ ill be ana- lyzed which are not 8am])led as described above and properly identified. Miscellaneous anal- yses of samples with- out accurate descrip- tion are of no value. Blanks are sent to each one for two sets of samples. From two to four weeks should elapse between the times of sending the two sets of samples. If additional analy- ses be desired, other blanks will be 8ent on application, but not more than four analyses can be made for any one person, except in special cases. A model, showing how blanks should be filled out, is inclosed. Fia. 1. — Illustration for removal of top of beet. [Model B.] V. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGUICULTURE. Model fob Describing Sample of Sugar I?eets. Prepared by H. "\V. Wiley, Chief of Divisiou of Cliciiiistry. Variety: Klein wan zlebener. Date planted : May 3, 1897. Date thinned: June 3, 1897. Date harvested : November 5, 1897. BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 39 Character of soil : Black prairie loam ; in cultivation for 20 years, chiefly in corn ; level, tile-drained; last crop, oats; no fertilizer was used; barnyard manure applied in 1895. Character of cultivation (dates, implements, etc.): Plowed November, 1896, 8 inches deep, snbsoiled 6 inches; harrowed with disk harrow May 1, 1897; rolled; seed planted with hand drill one-half inch deep; plants up May 16; stand excellent; hoed by hand May 22; plowed with horse hoe May 28 and June 8, 16, 24, July 3, 10, and 17. Length of row harvested (feet) : 66. Width between rows (inches) : 18. Number of beets harvested : 88. Total weight of beets, less necks and tops (pounds) : 88. Weather for each month: May, dry; June, copious rains; July, fine growing weather; August, hot and dry; September, dry until the 24th, when a heavy rain fell. State: Iowa. Post-cfffice : Hanover, Buena Vista County. Date : November 17, 1897. Name : Robert Simpson. Note. — Beets will not be analyzed unless accompanied with description aa above. It is evideut that in promiscuous experimentation of tliis kind, even when directions are closely followed, and when all the operations are conducted in accordance with the directions in Farmers' Bulletin No. 52, and the procedure described in the blanks for taking samples faith- fully followed, the data are still of an unsatisfactory nature. For instance, when a plot of beets has been harvested and quartered until the two beets required for a sample have been selected in accordance with directions, we still have an uncertainty prevailing as to whether the two beets correctly represent the whole lot. In fact, it is well known that the variations in the character of beets grown side by side are very great, far more so than is the case with sugar canes. As an illustration of this, the following analyses, giving the weight and sugar content of every beet grown in a row at the experiment station of Kentucky, is sufficient evidence : Ana lyses of all the beets hi a roiv, Kentucky station. Serial Weight after topping. Sucrose Serial Weight after topping. Sucrose Serial Weight after topping. Sucrose No. in beets. No. in beets. No. In beets. Ounces. Per cent. Ounces. Per cent. Ounces. Per cent. 1985 27 7.7 2009 8 8.2 2033 10 8.1 1986 25 9.9 2010 4 9.3 2034 10 7.2 1987 24 10.4 2011 1 9.9 2035 124 9.1 1988 24 10.6 2012 1 10.5 2036 11 9.0 1989 20 8.6 2013 2 9.6 2037 U 9.8 1990 20 7.9 2014 3i 10.9 2038 9 8.8 1991 28 6.7 2015 3i 9.9 2039 9 7.4 1992 31 9.0 • 2016 34" 8.2 2040 8 9.7 1993 18 10.4 2017 27 7.0 2041 11 8.9 1994 24 9.0 2018 20 9.3 2042 8 9.3 1995 53 4.8 2019 8 11.9 2043 9 0.9 1996 19 8.2 2020 16 6.2 2044 8 10.4 1997 33 2.6 2021 22 8.0 2045 7 9.4 1998 16 9.9 2022 15 6.8 2046 5 8.2 1999 2 10.7 2023 20 9.8 2047 4 8.4 2000 2 8.8 2024 26 9.0 2048 5 8.6 2001 2 9.0 2025 16 9.4 2049 4 8.7 2002 13 8.9 2026 18 9.7 2050 4 10.5 2003 8 9. e 2027 18 6 6 2051 4 9.3 2004 12 11.0 2028 15 8.6 2052 3 10.7 2005 6 10.5 2029 n 9.3 2053 2 12.2 2006 3 11.1 2030 17 4.9 2054 li 10.6 2007 5 10.6 2031 12 6.8 2055 1 9.9 2008 1| 10.2 2032 12 6.9 2056 li 11.2 40 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. The great variations which exist, both in size and quality of beets, are most strikingly shown by the above figures. The variation in size extends from 1 to 53 ounces, and in sugar content from 2.6 to 12.2 per cent. When, however, it is considered that all overgrown and under- grown beets are rejected in taking the samples, and only those of medium size and perfect form selected, it is evident that the chances of the sami)le representing fairly the average of the whole lot are very much improved. Even granting this, however, it is unsatisfactory to depend upon the analysis of two or three samples alone for determin- ing the character of the whole plot. It is evident, however, that on account of the nature of the method of investigation and the undesira- bility of burdening the mails with too many samples, it is impracticable to do better than has been done in this matter. The analyses of all of the sami)les which were sent to the Department of Agriculture from each of the States and Territories are given in the tables which are found farther along. For convenience of reference, the analyses are tabulated by counties in each case. The second method of collecting data was through the cooperation of the agricultural experiment stations. To facilitate this, the Secre- tary of Agriculture appointed the directors of these stations special correspondents of the Department for distributing the seed and collect- ing the beets for analysis. The analyses were made by the chemists of the several stations, and they are given below, grouped under the various States. Where the cooperation of the agricultural experiment stations was secured, the reports are given by the director or officer in charge. Inasmuch as the details of these analyses are published by the various stations, including the names and residences of the persons who grew the beets, in the present report only the averages of the analyses by counties or sections, together with such observations as have seemed desirable, are given. The rei)orts of the directors and other officers in charge contain much interesting material, and in some cases are given without abbreviation. DATA OBTAINED IN THE LABORATORY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The analytical data obtained during the season of 1897 in the Depart- ment of Agriculture have been classified as follows: The data obtained from each State or Territory collected by counties or sections and the general average for each county are as follows : The analytical tables showing the data of the Department samples contain the names of the States and counties arranged alphabetically. The name of each county is followed by a symbol in the shape of a square to designate the position of the county in the State. The plain square shows that the county is situated in the central portion, while a straight line attached to the center of the top of the square shows the county is in the northern part of the State; attached in a diagonal BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES 41 direction to the upper right-hand corner, that it is in the northeastern portion of the State ; attached to the center of the right side, shows it is in the eastern portion of the State; attached to the lower right-hand corner, that it is in the southeastern portion ; attached to the center of the lower side of the square, that it is in the southern part; to the lower left-hand corner, in the southwestern ; to the center of the left- hand side of the square, in the western part, and to the upper left-hand corner, in the northwestern. The tables also state the number of samples received from each county, the average weight of the samples in ounces, the average per cent of sugar in the beet, the average purity coefiicient of the juice, and the maxima and minima percentages of sugar in the juice and the coefficients of purity. In many cases the quantity of juice was too small to compute the purity in the usual way, and in others the low percentage of sugar rendered the ascertainment of the purity unnecessary. These two rea- sons account for the omission in many instances of the number express- ing the purity of the juice. CAUTIONS REGARDING THE VALUE OF THE DATA. It is highly important that the persons using the analytical data contained in the following tables be cautioned in regard to the value which should be attached thereto. It is evident, in the first place, that samples which have been grown in such a promiscuous way as those received by the Department, in so many different characters of soil, under so many different climatic conditions, and with such variable culture, water supply, and fertilizing materials, must lack that uni- formity of value which should characterize scientific data in general. Attention has already been called, moreover, to the fact that the few samples of beets which have been sent can not be regarded as exactly representing the whole mass of which they originally formed a part. The variations in individuals are so great under practically identical conditions as to render somewhat doubtful data which are based upon a few samples alone. For instance, in the comparison of different States in respect of sugar-producing qualities, it may be that one State is represented by perhaps less than 50 samples, while others may have 500 or 1,000. In such cases the average of the 50 samples does not in any way present such convincing data as the average of 1,000. The greater the number of samples examined, the more nearly will the disturbing influences of individuals be eliminated. When it comes to a comi)arison of the counties in the several States, the same remarks are true. In many instances a county may be represented by a single sample. It may be that the sample is extremely good or extremely poor. In neither case is it representative. It would be unjust, therefore, to compare a county with one sample with another from which 50, 100, or 200 samples have been received. Even in the averages representing 42 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. the samples from a single couuty or locality care must be taken not to be misled. The samples may include, for instance, a very small beet with an excessive sugar content, or a very large one with a deficient sugar content. In case only two or three samples constitute the whole number, the influence of these abnormal sami)Ies is raised to a maximum. As an illustration of this, the analysis of samples from Clinton County, 111., may be cited as a type of many others. Three samples were received from this county, the average weight of which was 13 ounces, and the average sugar content 15.7 per cent. One of these samples, however, weighed only 4 ounces, and had the abnormal sugar content of 21.2 per cent. It is evident, therefore, that the average percentage of sugar in the three samples is very much higher than it would have been had they all been normal in size. Another point must not be forgotten, and that is, granting that the samples of any locality are representative, they represent only one season. That season may have been peculiarly favorable or unfavorable, and hence no section should be judged by the results of a single year's experiment. The reader who wishes to study critically the data which follow must take all these facts into consideration, and the judgment which he may form in regard to any particular section must be sub- ject to the rectifications indicated by the variable factors mentioned above. BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES 43 5m a 7,§^ cS^ Mo 3 £ii t* m CO in CO lO CO I -J « m o OS iri 03 00 in to IM (M CO (M oi 05 CO in in CO -^ in -rjl o -^ O CO CO t^ C5 O t-^ t-^ CO 00 00 'm-t t.^ UU I-)* UU t^J -ril W CO C^ •* CM C^ CO Oi MCQ -^ t-rH00O5 i> o -^ in ■*COCO 00 00 CO in 00 in oc cj CD CD t* CO t> CO l> 00 rH O 1-1 t* t* O 0<; -^ rH 00 O OS cm" -^•^ooocoooo in CO i-H 00 CO ■* 05 ■^ CO 00 c4 -^ in CO 00 00 00 00 00 t^ 00 t- in C0 1-1 CO t- iH CO CO t-^ CO t-i I* t-^ 00 CO OJ c oJ co' ■* co" 3a SCO CO «0 05 O rH C3ccirtoot^-:ocDi:-cCOCCI>>COt^t-Q000 rHCOlfiO"^r-li-imt>0>COCOCCCO«0»HOt:*000(MrHCOi-ICOCO 05i-nMa50ocO'^ooNOS'*T*ti-*moscDQOcoocoooo:)ift'*mrHinoicocioj 1H rl rH CM CO .S 'a. 44 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. id ^ a SB C^l IM OS CO »o O 00 0-* ci o fo -r oo -i> ooo to M 00 o od'W 00 ■* O 00 OiO) CON r-Jod 00 -i 00 00 ^c: =Q s? =^ •c* ^3 *i s « g ^ e « v> a^ rO « « fts 5a W 00 t^ oo 00 o 00 to CO CO l:-C0CO05lO'>l'-*05C0CJO00'-l t^t^t-^C^lOOi-HC^i-HOCOO^^ t^t^t-OOt^C-OOOOOCL^QOCCOO Sco-* tooot-i:^cot>TH!M:ooMCii-icot^co-^-ji-l ^"^cocoo-^u3Tj5cocainift lOOOCOW-j'OOOOOOOCOOSt^fMOWOC^I-^CO i-lrHiHi-l(M C^ 1-H rH iO ^^ CO M CO r-t T-( C3 (NO 00 t^ irt ift MOON tOOOcM oo' t-^ ■*o 00 00 o o "CO aCOMOO oi o CO -t 00 00 00 00 00 O CO iJ !0 00 CO 00 lO CO ocicJ N O00t)I t-O CO ■* -^«o" CO la o o t-^ CO on iri 00 CO t-t- (M ^^ to -*IO to 00l> t* t^ T]1-rJH(NI>CO»OCO0000 tDcicJoJodcotdodoo t-t-t^tStOt-C't-t- ■ t^ CO 00 00 r-t i t-^ o 00 o to' .to t-t-oo t- to O lO 00 to 00-* 00 IT- (N C^l O -HH T-i QC '<*' tOCwl>OOOtOt^rHO"*l:^OOiOCitHtD050COt:-lOCOOOOC^I>-OOOOOOCOOOCOl-.OiOt^O-r4< C^ri-1HC:5COCO*o'oD"^r4c-itD'odcOCOlrfoOHHNCsilOo6t-HCOtD-^CICO'*'cOi-H'H5r-icOtO-^ OSa50t-.tOtnOOOOt- f^ 1> l> a © o 46 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. Q e (M 00 t- t- CD C^CiClCDOCD'^O CO X CO* f-H* 00 c OO tH CO M iri ift --H !>; O'-Hfoin-rfcoT^ift CD00-»*'CDii;5eDOS»O wcoe^ii-ifoc^ji-tcci 0> 05 O CJ CJ lA M 00 in 1-5 00 CO 00 t* CO CO t* E,^ t~GOinOOCSOS(MOOO t>cicocoi-HC^i-l.-5o5 > CO (Duo 00 (M WM CM »H W r-li-1 r ^ CO CJ "^ ■^ c .-to "** CO ro »o CO CM COOiCOrH N t-iON •^■t-Q000OS^ ®i-l«i-ICJr-lrHrHlMr-IN CON^Hi-HlOOOIMC^rHCOIO -D2 ^ = § ° ° £ h" ► C a ^:) S S X ?^ F^ [?n i<3-a P a±; s; ti a a£ « o OsiO oco O OS co' OS CO CJ O lO e» to oo' -H CO O lA COOS Mini-it-cc— (cocico— 1 ocJos'^cocDodo>'i>o6co 00 o 05 5O OS o IM ICSCD OS -^1 (Mrt s 00 tK .* tH 00 IM i-(CO W IM oo COIMOCOC-^COCOOOO .-1 f^ T-t r-l 1-1 T-i 00 00 OQO 1-5 ■"* a>co o 00 CO com ^S3 iHCO l>C^ I>00 T* s CO CO 00 COM O OS 00 t- 00 ?2 t>10 00 cdoo t-: 00 c- 1-1 o o to CO to OS to' CO in N CO 00 »rf CO oso O CD OS x6 l- OS O IM to lO co' IM O 00 to' 00 CO 00 M t-cotoosi-(xmosc3ia coci-^cooo^cocoto'co OS -# CO CO 00 00 « 00 00 CO CQCO S^ 00 in OOOStr-00-f COlO-*lMCli COJ|.*Mr-l -^IMCOIMr-l 78.9 82.9 80.8 87.1 84.0 82.7 86.0 77.2 83.3 81.9 73.8 t-OOMOCO— l^00COr.< OS li lo t> e^ to' os' lO (^^ ci t-COt-C-.COt~t>t-t-Q0 OS t- m 00 lO ci .-: OS t- QC C- t^ OS in CO ^'co ■«JI CO lO 1-1 to' t-^ m' r-: t-t>toi- 00 5 lO O Ift IM t^ to' C- t- t- tO (M t-'«d t-to 00 OS ■O 00 t-c- t^irtooiniA-^ocooooco IftOfMOf-Jt^CONCOOSt^Otr-OSt* .-H*ocicOTi5i-5cocot-5'^i>wcooc4 o mcOi-HCOCOlftinr-ICOOMOSOO^OOOStOC-COOO Cq'oCD>0lrfoirir-;inrH'i-;03C0IM'-H,-!drH'c006 -*inmT((.-lCOOOOOO-*OS CO f-^ C^ W W W -^ rH CO C^ CO rH 1-1 « ^ lOC0rtll0t-lM«0iH^Oira05-*00t-05t-C-(M0> Cq O CO rH IM r- iH .-( i-H CO Ca rH 1-1 Cd rH rH rH rt IM NrHCOrHiH.-(rH-^.-3>»OrH CO C0THCOrHC^00i-tt-IW^i-(i-(i-lTHOi OS ■1* TlliacOt-eOrHlOeqrHCJt-lOMIMCO-^TjIiniMrH :-o p 62 'a'lscacso'^sg '.y'S'S o6 6^^?.s^-5:t sliiHliilsi^Si ■t:^^o£§§o.ss'3^.ii8l -. ,»cScS(S(COOSc3c3C3SC303ai,G..3.5 48 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. ■ [^ O I-* t^ OS T-H ■ r^ in i-^ 00 to OS . t- ffi t- ts O ttJ ■ ^3 c^ '• 00 CO CO t~ 00 -t ■ ot^;D-^:o05(Nooo-d< • I>OC^i-ir005C«30St-"0 ' to I-l CO OS = im" 00 ' t- t-t- 'ooxi tn • eo«D- t» t- I (M CO O to Oi 1-1 » Oi cr: ci ir^ "-H o oi « oo ' t- t^ tr- t~ l> C- • l> < a iOO ■inmiHiooococo .iccococoiM lo • iO t^ • ^C^in C^-^tdci • »0 .-< '^ OS ci ^'COOCOi— IC5000rOOCOC00000400i-1»-tCOCCOwCl»OOOCiCCC^OiOir3»-HOOOCO ;o60'--^?^'-H-^OuSc^rHC^COi-Hi-iTl3t-4-HC^i-3<-^-TrOc4C'ioC^'-^ •■^CD0S-H 00 ^ ' ' ■ 3> O 00 M OO' 05 O 00 CO -*oo m to o OiOOOCOCOt'OtO CO O CO to'-xloj t>I to CO CM to (M t-in ood 00 CO as ^ Ci lO OS ■<*» •*!< CO (M Ofl ITS -^ »-^ CO irfe-J co>-iinoot~M-*oo eoeoioMMirirHTlc-^ I-" CO iH CO CO OS t-— < to-* l:~ ososootoinos — o CO W M W • XI t- I- 00 C0t>i-O0St*00OI:^O irfi>rJc-l H rH rH « (M cM rH i-l ^INi-ICil cot-ON^Ht^ira-* i-iriMCOlOrHiMCO "^t^tOi-HiHincOtOincMiHeiTHfHi^tOr-lU^t^rHiH^C^i^fM-^iCWCOCO N 1-1 CI CO (M iH 1-1 rH n-D :o§ "DO'S 5 P C c3 * g oe-S_o c3 c3 c » S-^ S s 5 " 3 =« H. Doc. 396- 50 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. ^ 't?. 00 in 00 00 ■"to 00 t; .-I (M O O QOO 00 (M iTi o CO '^ X tOO O irf ■^ II OS O 00 00 o .-I ri W (M 'Tji (M L-^ CO t^ •7-\ to* CI la i> -H ^os"-* » w » cm'csco CI L- X t^ '-0 CI .-H irt * r-^* r+ c^i ?o --H ci CO « t^ t* t^ r- 00 1* H O 1-H i-» t* ifi lO Wo CO ca OS iri c4 OCOOO-HCDCDOSCO ■^ OJ CO CI t- CI '* 00 c: CO r-t in cc 00 'D t— t-^occoccccxoooo cocicjosxiNinx -t 06 o Lfi CD [-^ c; CO CI O t-^ X t* ID O CI d C4 c^ CO CD coo CI CO CO CD OS* OS co' r-^ XOSt-t^iOi-iCiCOCiXX— 'XOSXW^ ci ^ d X* r-' ITS CO* CO* 06 t>-* 05" ot5 c; 1-1 ^ ro CO XXXt-XXXXI>L~-t-I>l>XXXX ■« liO X CO CO CI o S t-^ 00 O t^ 00 CO Xt>OSXCOiO^CS X '^XCliACOrHCD'^^ owi-HCD-^i>:ocs'#iftOsxco»-HiocDur50 '^ioincDir:H^c^iouoocoto*i-^co'+cot>iO : in ^H o OS o X ^ c:i CI r-l -^ ^ ascjxi-icoc)coos'^co^^0'r*t* i-HCJ'-'C^'-lCli-l^Cli-IClClrHClCJr-CrHi-H W O .-H CO '^ ' ClT-iWWt-t-XM -II (M-^miftCOrH-^t-trii-HWCO; an ■^-o uD §1^ S 5 2 o gv, =«t: a g ® ti s b ^5 S a s «S ou BEET-SUGAR INDUSTKY IN THE UNITED STATES. 51 ira CO oc t- CO in 00 in CJ 00 iniMiM • oo'doi • 05 -* CO 00 -1* 00 CO CO -# 3 s CO t-0500 r-liH CJr-l 00 CO ■* t- o CO 05 CD T-i 00 00 00 to 00 CO d i> com oi ■' t-^co' d ' OOC- 00 ■ 00 d CO in 00 m 00 o 00 o 05 CO in 00 10 0005 t-^ •<# lO CO in05r-l CO CC ■rHCOOC5C-C005COCO^C-0« ^^05 ddindcoco^odirid'--M'^ oot-t- •OOOOt^OOOOt-OOC-t^t-OOOOl^ m d CO t- ffl drt'os 00 00 I> c-oiT-40ooo5inr->#-^lO^-^COOCO CM COOOO t-t- COr-IlM rH M ?3 t^ 05 O CO 00 COCO-*,-l-.-jl^COCO-*COO)t^tOa5C-)COl Mo •^ J.2td o g'SS 3 ■dp. -acs-sti = 29^ o t: n •^" «, .'" r— '-'" n D P 2' = 7:o>S.2So^ 52 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. ^ ^ ■HIM 00 S£ . . ?0 t^ l> t^ rH CO CO Om i-H l> C^i 00 C 00 •«* O CO in 00 CO 00 t^ t-^ CO t^ t-^ CO CO i6 1> »ft CO O t> IC5 Oi CCI CO N 1-H Tf i-H see 00 CO CO t'C^ o CO c: O l> M CO l> O C^ I> CO t* I OCOCC^iOOSOt-Cli-t I I> lO Oi t^ C^i OS Ci « C"! --H I>t>I>t>-C0t:*t^COC0C0 ■«S5'^OOC0t*l>» ; coo OOOCOOO ? Cq Cq rH (M ■* iH rH COO(MOCOOO'*'^l>-0«305 cococOSrHC^l|>COrH 1-t CO '-^ OS irt »-t CD <0 N 5^ ^ M (N --4 (N ^ 1— I rH =!;. CONHrHCQC C0CO(MS > t> 03 M H > P ?■ !> ^^1 » ft r- -■.*^ T -dP 5i a 3^ ^ ^ 3 .> .;i; ■; _o ^ o^ ■Shciiioi^-ga — • » ^ -r :- i- .S 3 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 53 • 00 CO II • «? CO ir-lin(MCOCOG^CD |«D ift • ci CO i>i o t^ - . t>. |> f cc t> t> t>> tr- l> ■^ Xt OS CO CO I 00606 C^ f-H CO 1-H 05 lO CO O OS O ^ c4 CO c> ■t O O OS • CO i> >o ci »-H (N OS CO irf CD CD CO o -»i5 r-1 r-i r-H tH rt Ca rH ; CD M# rH in rJH CO in CD fH t-t in in OS t- in ! ci 1-^ OS o in inr-tooo^ocoin cci-icoodcoco'cof-- CD it-cDomoic-i-i C-J ''.-Hr-HTjI'rf'^CDCO ooscotxMt* (M t^cacDini-i'.^c^ OCOCDC^CO-hJ hJ I OSrHOCDi-3 lf>l?4 rH r-( r-" W ■«* CD -^ O O OSt-'QOfMCDlOOCO •^ C^ f-l CO 1-1 in l> O rH CO '^ OS N rH CM C^ 1-1 f-l iM t* OS OS O O CD -* (M i-H CO i-i O rH t* '<*' d in OS f-l rH rH CO CO I-I rH in 00 -^ CSl rH W CO CO CO CO '* J2 ^ « "3 t- ti iS ^ f-" » J) cs « ja ^ -a 54 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. e . V '^ p '*- •«-H =^ a o u « \ o ^ r£ « s o « !J O 'S s 1^ !S ■" cc 5 Co ♦^'.S 05 lO ^ CC OJ oo'lrf CO 00 o; t- CO o "* t- ^C^f-HCOCO;DWCOlrfc ci ^ coos rH r-lNO-*CO-*mO oot-c-oot-i^t-oo Oi»rtOOOOO-*t>COO t>CO>-^^TjHCo'-^C^i^t^ OOCOlOOOOOCOOOtOCT'* ■^ S 0) g _ K pi csj; o ee . o eS 3 £ cs c o g 43 -a BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 55 -* I eo "^ CO --H CD C-i 00 O >-l CO oa'cdco t^ t> 00 ■^ t- in tM rl* C^ CO OJ t-I t> irf CO t^t>00rHlOC0O»ri05 00 00 1-^ t-^ oi rH CO 00 r^* i-H-^IN00'*O i-teoeo CO cj C^ O CO lO ■* CO I CiiM(,itiioiilH, vi/, jtotiiHli, lliiiti, iiitro^i-n, jilioHplioric. iiciil, and liiiiiiiiN. rotioili iit iwi^iy wlioKi iiirHiMit in aliiiiKliiiit i|iiatiliti<-n. Wo iiavo roiiml i'loiii ().'17 to l.tlli per riMit ill our Hiiin|ili^M, tlio Idwim- ll^iiio lioin^ ampio lorn. lorliloHoil. J.iiiin aiiio ill pioiinnl. ill ^rtuit ruirilcitMiry, llm HaiopirH liliowiii)^ IVuiii 1) u7 to i.'J por cont. >lltro|.((iii, liowiivor, in ilollciriit almoHt ovory wlioi^, tlio aviMan« lor tlio HorioH lioiiij? O.OIK pill coiit, and in only two liiMtancoH iImIii/^ iibovo 0.10 pi-r c-ont, wliicli in i-oii- Hldorcd to lio ii. ntMMUnl iimonnt to liiHiiro nitrogon I'orlility. 'riiih diillrionry prolialily aflortH tlm rirlinoHH of Niif^ar liuotH Iuhh tliiin it doos tiioir h1/o. It Ih woII iuiown tliafc an ox^omh of nitro^fon prodiuirN liectn of an onormoiiH hi/.o, lint of vi'iy poor quality. In oiio iiiHtniico wo roocivod a lioi^ woiKhinj; fi jionndH, whii'li liad liooit ^rowii on licavily iiianiiiod and nlnindantly irrifratod Hoil. Tim Mampio k"Vo only 1.7 por rout of Hiinnr in tlio Jnii^o, with ii. piiiity of 2:1. 'I'hia roHiilt WiiM piidiiilily duo, in part at loiiMt, to oscohnIvo nitro^on. Tim Miniill II vorii^o hI/o of tlio IkmiIh loiolvoil, Imwovir, poinl.H to a povorty of iiitro- ^oii in tlio Hoil lor tlilrt oiop. TIiIn will hold for olln^r ciopH an well an hcolH, and I am told that in ono caMo ni'iu' Imro two noijf|iliorliif( oriinjio orcinirdH woro planliMl, ono on vti'f^in moHii, hhII, tlio other on plowod aifiiira ground. It Ih Htiitod tliat tin) laltor ondiiiid him pioHpoiod lar nioio tlian Km m^i^;llhol•. TIuh wiih doiihllcMH duo to till! nllio^'in which aH'iillii imd ollior IcgnminoiiH iiopH contrihiilft to tlio moII. In HoloctiiiK hoot fjronnd, Ihoroldro, otlmr thiiigH Imin^ o(|iia!, il would hr well in tliin roj^lon to cliooHo that wliiidi hiiM provioiiNly hoon in nldilfii. In Miippoit of thiH viow I would Htato that Dr. (!lallin'H Haniphm woro K'""wn on .Kioiind that hinl provioiiMly Imoii In alfaH'ii, ho tliiit IiIh oxcollont locord may liiivo hoon duo in part to thin imiiiho. riioHphorid atid Ih nHiiiilly proHont in HiiKlciiMii-y, tlmiiKh novor viM-y ahiindant. In Homo niHOH a. Horionn lack of piioHpliorio aoid Iiiih hoon iiotiMJ. Tlio avoiiigo for tho valley Ih i:|)lil«) largely 1»t<;auHO they impai't IxiUer tilliiij^ (|iiaIit,lani iiiiiiiiire, and iho a|)|die,:iU()ii of MiIh inaUM'ial with Hiiitalile )>i'<;('UMtioiiH Hlioiild 1><) be.nelicial. Ah i,o alkali :iiid it.H ej'f'eet upon heelH, il. in;i,y Ixi Hiiiil Uiiil, when Uhi planl,^ ;ue oneo CHl/a1)]iHlied in Mirill.y ^rowili iiioy will Hl.and nioro alkali ilian inoHl, olJie.r < ropH. 11/ liiiH ))e(;n ohHorvod alHo ai, ('liiiio thai, Uio (pi.-ility of tho lieelH in not inipuire.il liy alkaline, ground. It Ih prohahle, liowe.ver, aw a nnittor of opinion, that yonn({ plaiilH art) injni'ed hy the eriiKt roi'ine well or that the youn(( phmtH died. 'I'Imh dinienlty may pOHHihly ho ovorcomo hy plantinj^ earlier in the y«ar, hy UHiiij; more and hettr-.r need, and hy taking morn earo to ke.ep tlie Hiirfaee, Hr)ll Iooho diiiirif^ the {{e,rmina,iion of tlie Hcof! and tho (IrHfc wcokH of jthmt growth. Halt Ifiver Valley Ih uofc oxcftssively alkaline; mueli hiUH ho, it Ih Htati;d, than the l'e. he care,d for, I believe, that we may have Hotnelhinj^ nnieli jnore favorable, to jep<»it on thin Huhje,c,(,. Fuitlicr (IctallH of Ui<', ulutvo, (;xi)<;rinujjif,H with Ixc.tH an; ]>iibliKlic,]>tain(!<] in Arizona aro Honuiwliat HurpriMin^, altlioiigli in general it may be Hald that th(5 (climate of Arizona in trjo warm for Hec,urint( tJx; Ixint r(!HultH. Tint n'tnaiks nia })e ajiplied, and tiie, (juantity wlii(;h is to be une.d. It would be experted tliat the i<](tal conditionH of moiHture eouhl be neeured by irrig;i(i(>n, and yet in practice the rcHultH have not been the moHt enw>uraging. 60 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. This has been true in regard to the growth of beets in Utah and Xew Mexico under irrigation. There is no factor connected with the sugar- beet industry which is of more practical interest than a careful study of the conditions under which irrigated beets siiouhl be grown. The fertile soils of the arid regions are undoubtedly able to produce large crops of beets under irrigation, when the proper conditions are under- stood. Complaints have also been made in respect of the effects of alkali upon beets in these soils, and also of insect pests. It is impor- tant that a study be made of the bacteria, molds, aud insect pests of sugar beets, together with the effects of the alkali. After allowing for all these conditions, however, it must be confessed that the Arizona data are somewhat disappointing, and unless great improvement can be made there is little prospect of the industry being established on a secure foundation in that region. Aekaxsas. Arkansas lies so far south of the beet belt as to make a discussion of the ])Ossibilities of beet growing in that vicinity unnecessary. Only two samples were received from the State, and as might be expected, these do not show any very favorable qualities. A few general remarks may be made about growing beets in warmer climates than those best suited to obtaining the highest grade of beets, namely: First, that it is quite possible to get fine harvests of beets with favorable tonnage per acre. Second, that it is possible to grow beets containing quantities of sugar which would have made them valuable for manufaeraring pur- poses several years ago, before the beet reached its present high state of developmeut, and Third, that such beets could probably be grown with great profit for stock-feeding purposes in all these localities. The full value of the beet and beet pulp will be discussed in a separate portion of this report. The average weight of the two samj^les received from Arkansas was 18 ounces, and the average content of sugar in the beet 11.3 j)er ceut. California. California is recognized as the principal beet sugar producing State in the Union. Only one sample of beets was received from this State, and it had a weight of 1'6 ounces and contained 1G.8 per cent of sugar. All of the coast valleys of California are favorably situated, in respect of temperature, for the production of sugar beets, and the same may be said of certain lands, the limits of which are not yet well defined, in other parts of the State. Even in the Sacramento Valley, as far inland as the point of junction with the San Joaquin Eiver. where the temperature is higher than that considered best for beets, it has been found that good beets can be grown. In experiments conducted on Union Island, near Stockton, Cal., during the years 1884-^!), under direction of the chief chemist of the Department of Agriculture, very * BEET-SUGAR I3n)USTBY LS" THE UNITED STATES. 61 encouraging resnlts were obtained, both in the quantity and the char- acter of the beets jjrodnced. The.se beets were grown ap^>n the reclairnHi lands of the delta of the San Joaqnin at its junction with the Sacra- mento Biver. The lands were jirotected from overflow by strong levees. but the conditions weie not theoretically the most favorable for the production of high-grade beets. Unfortunately, however, large portions of the coast larjds, by reason of their contour, are not well suited to the cultivation of beets. On page 90 of Bulletin So. 5 of the Division of Chemistry, published in 1885. the following observation is made: "In the interior and eastern divisions of California only the high Sierra regions have a temx>erature low enough for beets, and in that locality there is no land adaptcl to beet culture. The beet region of California, therefore, is confined to the coast valleys." This statement may have to be modified to some extent by reason of the data mentioned above from Union Island- These obser- vations are corroborated by the analyses made by Director Hilgard, during 1897, of beets grown in Sacramento County. This locality adjoins Union Lsland. where the exj>eriments conducted by the Dejjartment of Agriculture were made. The average size of the beets examined by Director Hilgard was satigfiactory, and the content of sugar in the beets was a little over 16 per cent, with a high puritj' reaching almost So for a whole series of analyses. These data show that in the Sacramento Valley, at least where the temperature is somewhat higher than that regarded as most favorable, beets of fine sugar-jiroducing qualities can be grown. After a careful personal srady of the climatic and soil con- ditions in California, made in 1884, it is stated on i>age 100 of BuUetin "So. -5 of the Division of Chemistry that there are in California about 5,830 square miles of land suitable to beet culture, provided the whole of it could be supplied with a sufQcient quantity of water. Even if only one-third of this area should be found eventually fit for the culture of beets, it would be possible for the State of California alone to produce nearly 500.000 tons of beet sugar and still practice a proper rotation of crops. In \iew of the fact that the beet-sugar industry has been so carefully studied in California, both by the agricultural esjieriment station and by those engaged in the manufacture of sugar, it is not necessary here to dwell further njwn the possibilities of its extension in that State. COLOEAM). The number of samples received from the State of Colorado at the Department of Agriculture was 174. The average weight of the beet? received was 20 ounces, the mean percentage of sugar in the beet 13.6. and the mean purity 76.7. The conditions which obtain in Colo- rado are so different from those of the Easiem States as to warrant a detailed discussion of the data. This, however, in the present condition of affairs, would be somewhat premature. It is advisable to wait until a more thorough agricultural survey of the State be made, under the immediate supervision of the agricultural experiment station. When 62 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. the anal^^tical table of the data received from Colorado is consulted, it is seen that most remarkable differences exist in the returns from the different counties. Since in most cases only a very few samples have been received from any given county, it is not fair to make any judgment of the possibilities of any one county from data of so limited a nature. The great variations in altitude in the State, causing sharp differences of temperature, must also be taken into consideration. In addition to this, it is fair to presume that the sami)les have all been grown under irrigation, and it is impossible, in such data as are collected from the farmers, to determine with any certainty what the proper conduct of the irrigation should be. In general, the data are entirely satisfactory, es])ecially in respect of content of sugar. As regards the mean purity of the juices, the data are somewhat unsatisfactory, since it falls more than three points below tlie minimum of good beets. This maybe due to the great amount of mineral salts which the soils of Colorado contain, and to the well-known property of the sugar beet of absorbing these salts from the soil. For this reason, it may be suggested that in many cases cultivation of the sugar beet could be advantageously practiced, not alone on account of the profit in the beet itself, but because of the improvement in the soil which would result from the extraction of the alkaline materials. Among the counties where the samples have been somewhat numerous and the results most encouraging may be men- tioned Boulder, lying to the northwest of Denver and mostly within the favorable thermal area, where the average content of sugar in the beet was over 15, and the purity nearly 81. This most favorable result was obtained with exce])tionally large beets, the average weight of which was 31 ounces. This fact makes the data even more valuable and suggestive. Another county where the data were extremely favorable, although the number of samples was only two, is Delta, a county lying within the theoretical thermal area, and where the average size of the samples was 20 ounces, the average content of sugar over 17, and the purity 80.5. Another favorable result may be reported from Garfield County, although the average size of the beets is a little low. The mean per- centage of sugar in the beets was 16.6, and the purity 83.2. This county also lies mostly in the thermal belt. In contrast with the above should be cited the returns from Logan County, showing not only small beets, but exceptionally low contents of sugaj- and purities. Logan County, nevertheless, is contained almost wholly within the thermal belt, which is most favorable to the growth of beets. The poor results obtained must therefore be due to causes which are not made known. Upon the whole, the data from Colorado are exceedingly encouraging and lead to the belief that tliere are many parts of that State where, with proper conditions of tillage and irrigation, the sugar beet industry may be established with profit. In connection with the work done by the l)e[)artment of Agriculture, BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 63 it is interesting to consider the report of the director and chemist of the agricnltural experiment station of Colorado at Fort Collins : lUlIEl' RKPORTS REGARDING SUGAR BEET EXPERIMENTS FOR THE YEAR 1897, AT THE COLORADO STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. Chemical section. The work of the chemical department on sugar beets can be summarized, briefly as follows : We began taking weekly samples on September 2. The varieties represented were Vilmoriu, two plots; Kleinwanzlebener, two plots; Leon Brand,' one plot; and Imperial, one plot. The amount of sugar in the beets was determined from week to week. We did not find a very rapid increase as the season advanced until the beets approached maturity, wheu we observed a sudden increase of about 3.5 per cent. Our samples varied greatly in their sugar content, but n greed in indicating that the crop in this country was not sufficiently matured to yield marketable beets before the middle of October. The average of the beets analyzed subsequent to this date, debarring one lot, the most of which were grown under unfavorable conditions, and a few samples which were clearly unmarketable beets, is 14 per cent, the range being from 10 per cent to 18.25 per cent of sugar. The coefficient of purity has ranged from 70 to 89, and has averaged 80.7. We believe the average percentage of sugar given to be high enough, but the coefficient of purity — 80.7 — is lower than the actual coefiioient ratlier than higher. '^ Respectfully submitted. William P. Headden, Station Chemist. Agricultural section. (From Report of the Director.) In a general way it can be said that the results of this season's work are very favor- able to the establishment of the beet-sugar industry in Colorado. The following figures are to be judged in the light of the statements that come, from all the beet- sugar manufacturing States of the Union, that the season of 1897 was especially unfavorable to the industry. If in this poor year Colorado can make such a good showing, what may we expect of her in ordinary or favorable years? The above report of the chemist of our Experiment Station gives the figures for the beets raised on the College Farm. But few analyses were made here of beets raised elsewhere, since the failure to get into our new chemical building last fall left the Chemical Department in poor shape for doing much outside work. Practically all the analyses of Colorado beets not grown at Fort Collins were made in the Chemistry Division of the Department of Agriculture at Washington. It has seemed best to give here merely a summary with reference to our local conditions. For the purpose of sugar-beet raising Colorado may be divided into five sections: (1) The vallej'^ of the South Platte and its tributaries. v2) The divide south of Denver, and the plains region where beets are grown with- out irrigation. (3) The valley of the Arkansas River. (4) The valley of the Grand River. (5) The San Luis Valley. All these, except the second, use irrigation. There are two features of the raising of sugar beets that require special study — namely, the quality of the beets when they are ripe and the time of the year when they reach that degree of ripeness. The ' This variety is unknown to me. — H. W. W. 2 It is not clear what is meant by this expression. — H. W. W. 64 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. earlier in the season they reach a profitable degree of sugar and purity the longer season the factory will have to manufacture the crop, and the larger the amount of crop that can be handled by a factory of a given size. Many tests were made of sugar beets dug in September, but only a few showed beets suited for use in sugar making. Nevertheless, tlie fact that a few samples, even by September 18, exceeded 12 per cent sugar and a purity of 80, shows that when our farmers are more used to growing sugar beets they can bring them to maturity several days, and probably two weeks, earlier than the average crop of 1897. With the first days of October the crops ripened rapidly. The following table presents a summary of the season of 1897, with reference to the quality of the beets, and the time of ripening in different parts of Colorado: Section of State. The valley of the South Platte. The divide and the plains The A'alley of the Arkansas .... The valley of the Grand The San Luis Valley Samples dug be- tween Oct. 1 and 10. Sugar. Per cent. 14.1 12.5 16.3 13.7 Purity co- efficient. 80.7 73.7 83.6 79.2 Samples dug be- tween Oct. 10 and 15, Snp-ar Parity CO Per cent. 14.6 15.1 13.1 12.4 81.1 80.6 77.9 78.5 Samples dug after Oct. 15. c! Purity CO- S"g^^- efficient. Per cent. 15.4 14.8 15.3 14.8 81.1 78.3 81.9 Idaho. The number of samples received at this laboratory from the State of Idaho was only seven, representing two counties. The average weight of the beets received was 21 ounces, the average content of sugar therein 15.5 per cent, and the average purity 79.4. Both in respect of size of the beets and content of sugar the results are very encouraging. The average coefficient of purity is almost uj) to the minimum standard, and doubtless could be improved later on. The alkalinity of the soil, which has been mentioned in connection with the lowering of the average in Colorado, is doubtless active in Idaho. There are large areas in Idaho where the thermal conditions are favorable, but they are detached from the main thermal belt crossing the continent. There are two centers of thermal conditions in Idaho which serve as nuclei for deter- mining the conditions most favorable. One of these lies almost wholly in the State, and Boise City may be regarded as the center of it, and the other extends into the western and northern part of the State from the State of Washington. In general, it may be said that the thermal conditions in Idaho, if they alone are to be considered, are sufficiently favorable for the culture of the beet, in so far as the growing season is concerned. The data obtained, while meager, are sufficiently encour- aging to warrant a more thorough survey of the State, and also the belief that the conditions for the successful establishment of the sugar industry may be found wherever the character of the soil, in respect of contour and fertility, and the facilities for irrigation and other factors favorable to the growth of the sugar beet and the manufacture of sugar can be secured. The report of the chemist of the station contains much valuable information in respect of the sugar-beet industry in the State of Idaho, and is herewith appended: BEET-SUGAE INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 65 RESULTS OF EXPEKIMENTS IN IDAHO. In the tirst place, the results of the past season are quite disappointing and unsat- isfactory, due to several causes ^\hich will be eliminated largely in the experiments of next year. The climatic conditions of Idaho are quite varied, the growing season opening several weeks earlier in South Idaho, along the Snake River and in the Boise Basin, than along the Clearwater or in North Idaho. The seed furnished gratis to this station by the Department of Agriculture arrived late, and before it could be dis- tributed — May 4 to June 2 — the seasim was Avell advanced, hence the seed that was planted either failed of germination, or the young plants were killed by severe climatic changes of heat and drought, or of cold and wet soil, which latter condition prevailed in the Palouse region. Much of the seed sown in our station plats failed to grow. The stand was irregular, weak, and of poor ([uality, so that the tonnage per acre could not be estimated with any degree of reliability. It is therefore omitted from the tables. Seed was mailed to 114 farmers, representing 41 difterent sections of the State, yet samples of beets for analysis were received at this Department from only 20 farmers, representing 13 localities. This apparent apathy on the part of our farmer friends is explainable in part. In many cases the seed did not reach its destination, or when planted it failed to germinate, or the young plants were destroyed by insects or jack rabbits. In a few cases there was not snfificient interest manifested in the experiment to induce proper cultivation of the young plants, therefore no samples worthy of shipment were grown. Sugar-beet growing is a new industry to the American farmer, and he has yet to learn that the ordinary farm methods are not always applicable and sufficient to grow and mature a typical sugar beet. The Idaho rancher is not an exception. He has yet to learn the value of intensive methods, from the preparation of the seed bed to the marketing of his crop. The neglect to plow deeply, to pulverize finely, to place the seed with care, to thin the plants judiciously, to cut out the weeds, withal to cultivate and hoe the growing plants regularly, resialted in partial or entire failure of the experiment. The sugar beet is a thoroughbred, and must be given care in keeping with its regal characteristics if high sugar content and purity are to be attained. The successful sugar-beet grower has learned that the sucrose is practically hoed into the root. This knowledge and its application our farmers eA'idently were not in possession of, or the number of samples forw.nrded would have been greatly augmented. It is a matter of education, however, which will be overcome in time by the dissemination of information through the press, the station bulletin, and closer competition induced by immigration from older States, where better methods of farming prevail. The 41 samples analyzed averaged in sugar content 15.17 percent; in purity, 87. .55. The 20 samples grown by the Station gave in sugar 15 28 per cent; in jjurity, 92.55. The 21 samples grown elsewhere averaged 15.07 per cent of sugar, and 82.78 in purity. The highest and lowest results gave 19 and 10.2 per cent in sugar; and 95.10 and 81.81 purity, respectively. OTHER SUGAR BEET DATA NOT HITHERTO GIVEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. During the fall of 1894, 192 analyses of sugar beets were made by the Station, which gave an average of 13.7 per cent of sugar and a purity of 76.08 degrees. Some of the samples were large, others had been frozen, still others were immature, while a few varieties were not at all adapted to our soil and climate. This reduced an otherwise much higher average. Excluding about 20 samples, the remainder, 55 samples of Vilmorin's Improved gave an average of 11.77 per cent of sugar and a purity of 75.55 degrees. Forty-four samples of Kleinwanzlebener beets averaged 14.16 per cent of sugar with a purity of 82.80. Thirty snmplrs of Imperial averaged in sugar 14.1 per cent, in purity, 85.42. B.. Doc. 390 5 66 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. Ten samples of French Red Top gave an average of 13. G5 per cent of sugar with a purity of 82.70. The average of 10 samples of Lane'.s was 13.44 per cent of sugar with a purity of 81.69. Eight samples of New Danish gave an average of 13.83 per cent of sugar and a purity of 81.81. The highest and lowest percentages of sugar in each variety were as follows: Variety. Highest. 1 Lowest. Vilmorin's Kleinwanzlobener Mette. Imperial Laiic'.s KedTop Danish cent. Per cent. 16.6 14.4 19.6 14.6 18.4 14.6 18.2 10. C 15.7 10.6 15.9 10.7 15.2 10.8 The places represented in the experiment were the University of Idaho, Cteur d'Aleue, Sand Point, Moscow, Kendrick, Leuville, Princeton, Cornwall, Genesee, substation at Grangeville, substation at Idaho Falls, substation at Naaipa. The average yield throughout the State was estimated at 20 tons per acre.' ANALYSES OF BEETS GROWN IN 1895. The experiments in sugar beets for 1895 were covered by 342 analy.ses of beets grown by the University of Idaho and by farmers residing near Grangeville, Nampa, Moscow, Weippe, Vollmer, Palouso, Spokane Bridge, Westlake, Staruer, Newport, Salmonn, and Paris. The average sugar content of the crop was 15.19 per cent; coefficient of purity, 79.91. In the analyses were included 15 samples of red or table beets. These 15 contained an average of 13.75 per cent of sugar iu the juice and a coefficient of purity of 75.57. Several analyses were made for the purpose of determining what bearing, if any, the size of the sample beet had upon the sugar content and purity. Among others I select four varieties, and submit the results without comment: VILMORIN'S IMPROVED. Size. FLORIMOND DESPREZ. 1. Large 2. Medimn 3. Small... 83.95 84. 00 80.25 LANE'S IMPERIAL. 1. Larpo. — 2. ^lediiiin 3. Small . . . KLEINWANZLEBENER. > This estimate, as is usual in such cases, is doubtle.ss too h 84.33 84.72 83.93 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 67 ANALYSES OF BEETS GROWN IN 1896. The work of the year was confined very largely to the station, and consisted of a special effort in the way of growing typical sugar beets. The effect of deep and shallow plowing, regular cultivation, fertilization, and irrigation, as compared with the average treatment given the root under natural conditions as to soil, moisture, and cultivation, was noted. The seed bed was prepared and the seed sown from the 21st to the 30th of May. Very heavy rains prevailed on June 5 and again on June 9. All of the seed had germinated by June 11. The average per cent of stand June 5 was 10.7; June 24 it was 29; one month later it had reached 61.8 per cent. The crop was harvested and analyzed during October. The number of analyses made was 60; the jjer cent of sucrose in juice was 14.18; coefficient of purity, 77.30; yield per acre, 48,510 pounds. The sugar-beet experiments connected with this station during 1894, 1895, 1896, and the inauguration of the work of 1897 were under the direction and control of the Agricultural Department, the chemist being responsible only for the analytical data. In July, 1897, under the redistribution of the powers of the station staff, the rather unsatisfactory data thus collected were assigned to tbe chemical department for compilation and publication, together with the power of supervision of such experi- ments in the future. METEOROLOGICAL RECORD. The better to understand the possibilities of the sugar-beet industry in the Palouse country of Idaho, as well as other experiments that may hereafter be undertaken by the station upon the " university farm, "tlie following meteorological data are included in this report. We are under obligations to Prof. J. E. Bonebright, meteorologist of the station, for the results tabulated : Table 11. — Meteorological record for Moscow. Month. Maxi- I Mini- Average mum tern, mum tem tempera- peratnre. perature. ture. 1894. April May June July August September October 1895. April May June July August September October 1896. April May June -Tuly...... August September October 1897. April May June July August September October 76.0 86.0 8-t. 93.0 96.0 85.0 74.0 76.0 8J.0 96.0 92.0 94.0 84.0 74.0 68.0 84.0 92.0 97.0 93.0 85.0 76.0 63.1 78.8 65.6 82.0 81.6 69.9 66.4 25.0 30.0 32.0 40.0 34.0 32.0 28.0 26.0 30.0 33.0 41.0 33.0 28.0 21.0 26.0 31.0 84.0 14.0 38.0 30.0 28.0 36.5 38.8 46.0 48.5 46.4 38.4 36.4 47.40 57.40 62.00 78.00 70. 50 58.80 40.40 48.10 51.90 59.40 72.70 74.50 49.80 46.10 42.53 46.50 61.10 70.41 67.17 54.65 46.33 49.70 Humid- ity. 53.80 70.00 71.50 59.20 Per cent. 76.0 63.0 74.0 65.0 40.0 72.0 85.0 70.0 08.0 52.0 38.0 47.0 70.0 72.0 85.5 61.7 55.6 55.4 72.2 72.2 77.4 45.4 40.3 77.6 Rainfall. Inches. 1.38 1.53 L23 .12 .25 .89 3.70 1.30 2.17 .41 .90 .32 3.33 Trace. .57 3.60 2.21 .17 1.33 .81 L07 .40 1.20 2.72 .85 .35 1.67 1.10 Days fair. Days clear. Days cloudy. 68 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES, Illinois. The samples received from the State of Illinois by the Department of Agriculture were 32 in number. The average weight of the samples was 17 ounces, percentage of sugar 13.1, and the purity 75.5. Twelve of these samj^les were from the northern, 8 from the central, and 12 from the southern belt. When judged by the few samples analyzed by the Department of Agriculture, it is seen that Illinois presents an exception to the estab- lished rule, inasmuch as the beets grown in the northern belt are infe- rior to those grown in the central belt. The data, however, are not numerous enough to base any certain conclusions upon them, and the usual rule is established from the more numerous analyses conducted by the agricultural experiment station, as will be seen farther along. Summarized, the results obtained at the Department of Agriculture from the northern, central, and southern belts in Illinois are as follows: Summary of analyses of sugar beets from lUinois. [Compiled from analyses of the United States Department of Agriculture.] Northern belt Central belt . . Southern belt Number of sam- ples. Average weight. Ounce*. 19 20 13 Sugar in 'Purity co- beets, i eflicient. Per cent. 12.6 13.8 13.2 76.2 76.5 73.3 At the agricultural experiment station of Illinois, at Urbana, 312 samples of beets were received and analyzed. The following summary shows the analytical data and the distribution of the samples by counties : Summary of analyses of su ft P 03 t^ 'Sifl ;2i^ ■< m Oh® Ounces. Per et. 1 18 8.0 64.9 2 20 12.7 81.0 10 21 11.7 79.6 2 19 11.3 75.2 1 10 9.6 69.4 1 10 9.7 64.3 4 22 10.3 74.3 2 17 11.2 76.8 2 19 11.8 76.5 3 21 10.9 71.9 3 2 24 16 11.2 12.1 77.5 74.9 2 14 9.4 72.1 3 14 8.5 68.3 6 5 17 11 11.6 13.0 72.2 76.9 County. CENTRAL BELT — continued. Clark SOUTHERN BELT. ElHngliaiu Madison Bond St. Clair Washington Jefferson Wavne Clay Edwards Jackson , Saline ■ >, S= Ounces. 11 Per ct. 13.6 12.6 10.3 10.3 12.3 11.9 12. 1 14.3 11.8 8.7 10.8 9.3 73.9 74.6 74.0 80.8 77.7 75.2 85.0 77.0 68.3 58.7 73.8 68.9 The average weight of the beets received was 20 ounces, the mean percentage of sugar therein 11.9, and the mean purity 76.4. Distrib- uted geographically into northern, central, and southern sections, we find each of the sections represented by the number of samples of the mean average composition indicated in the following summary: Summary of analyses of suyar beets from Illinois. [Compiled from the experiment station report.] Northern belt Central belt Southern belt Average, etc Number of 104 165 43 Average Sugar in Purity co- weight, beets. , efficient. Ounces. 22 20 19 20 Per cent. 13.2 11.5 11.1 79.3 75.4 74.7 11.9 76.4 Here we see the regular rule illustrated, and the beets derived from the northern are superior in every respect to those from the central and southern belts. It is evident, however, j udged by the data obtained during the present year, that Illinois is not so well adapted to the growing of high-grade beets as some of the States to the east of it. Nevertheless, it is quite certain that, with proper drainage, scientific cultivation and fertilization, and good culture, high-grade beets can be grown in many of the northern counties of Illinois, and it would prob- ably be safe to say that for a distance of 100 miles from the boundary between Wisconsin and Illinois the sugar-beet industry could be suc- cessfully established where the conditions of soil and factors favorable to manufacture are suitable. Indiana. One hundred and three samples were received at the Department of Agriculture from the State of Indiana, representing several different 70 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. parts of the State, but mostly from the northern portions. The largest number of samples, however, from any one county was from Vander- burg, iu the extreme southwestern part of the State. The average size of the beets from Indiana was small, the j)erceutage of sugar in the beet fair, and the purity a little below the minimum for good beets. In general, the best beets were grown in the northern portion of the State, near or in the thermal beet belt, although a few sami^les received from the central and eastern parts of the State were very satisfactory. Among the counties furnishing the largest number of samples may be mentioned Henry, in the central eastern part of the State, from which 8 samples were received, having an average weight of 1 7 ounces, contain- ing 13.1 per cent of sugar, with a purity of 78.5. The averages for Henry County in sugar and purity were almost exactly those for the whole State. Three samples from Marion County, iu the central por- tion of the State, show excellent results, both in percentage of sugar and in purity, and having an average size of a pound. The best results are reported from Stark County, in the northwestern portion of the State, where the percentage of sugar was 15.7 and purity 81.8. The beets, however, from this region were small, the average size being only 12.8 ounces. The beets received from the agricultural experiment sta- tion were very much undergrown, the average weight being less than 7 ounces. The percentage of sugar in tlie beets was good — 15.1 — and the purity also above the minimum. The causes of the poor yield of beets are discussed farther on in the report of the chemist of the station. The largest number of beets from any one county was received from Vanderburg, namely, 40 samples. The people of this county have been particularly interested in the industry, and especially to Mr. H. Cordes are we indebted for the large number of samples received. In spite of the very fertile soil and other favorable conditions of culture, the beets had an average size of only 14 ounces, and both the percentage of sugar in the beet and the purity were below the minima. In general, it may be said of Indiana that the northern portions of the State, where the character of the soil is favorable, are best suited to the culture of the sugar beet, namely, those portions either lying in the area of favor- able thermal conditions, or extending to a varying distance to the south thereof and covering the greater portion of the northern part of the State. The central counties of the State, judged by the few sam- ples received, may also be expected to grow beets of fair quality. A more careful agricultural survey of the State is needed, and the data above are supplemented by the more valuable data collected by the agricultural experiment station under the supervision of the chemist, Mr. H. A. Huston. NOTES ON SUGAR BEETS RAISED IN INDIANA IN 1897. (From Report of H. A. Huston.) The early part of the season was fairly lavorable to the growth of the crop. In many cases, however, the beets were planted quite late and were much below normal Size when the drought came on in August. From the middle of August until the BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 71 end of the usual growing season very little rain fell. This tended lo produce beets of bigh sugar content and small wize. Tbe popular interest in tbo subject has been much greater than in previous years and a much better return than usual was secured from the seed sent out. At three points in the State parties are now engaged in placing contracts for sufficient acreage to insure a three years' supply of beets for a 300-ton factory. Reports from these localities indicate that the required acreage will be secured. Nearly all farmers who have raised experimental crops of beets for the past few years report that they believer the crop would be a profitable one at $4 per ton. This estimate is based solely on their own experience with the crop. Tlie total number of samples analyzed at the agricultural experiment station of Indiana was 205. Arranged by counties, the following table gives the most important data connected with the analyses: Tests of sugar beets grown in Indiana in 1897 under the direction of the Indiana agricul- tural experiment station. H. A. Huston and J, M. Barrett. County. ft <^ a bt Laket] Porter "p Laporte "D St. Joseph 6 . . Elkhart 6 .... Lagrange cf.. . Starke t] Newton tl Jasper "D Allen cf Benton -D Wliite "D Ciiss i Wabaah 6 . . . . Huntington cf Warren -d Tijiperanoe -n. Carroll d Ozs. 51 12 22 24 12 12 14 11 2 23 31 20 17 14 25 18 15 11 8.3 I 68.0 13.7 9.0 13.0 14.8 16.6 14.1 13.7 17.9 13.5 11.2 10.3 12.1 13.0 11.8 12.2 12.5 12.4 84.0 64.3 85.0 83.6 87.4 85.0 96.4 84.4 82.4 79.6 66.0 77.2 77.8 78.0 83.0 84.6 82.0 o a (O o County. Ozs. G rant D ' J 2 Jay D- 20 Fountain -o ! 31 Clinton n | 18 Boone D 1^! Tipton D 20 Madison n 33 Randolph D- 24 Parke -n 8 Marion n 17 Hancock n 23 Henry D- 19 Morgana 14 Greene j2 12 Jackson p 8 Vanderburg p 15 17.8 Averages, etc P-.9 « be 13.6 13.3 10. I 13.2 13.6 13.5 9.2 12.9 10.2 12.7 14.0 12.9 13.9 12.8 10.0 10.6 70.1 79.5 68.6 83.2 82.0 82.3 70.2 79.0 .56.7 83.5 87.4 78.0 82.8 84.4 72.8 77.7 12.6 0.7 As will be seen above, nearly all the counties represented are in the northern part of the State. Only a few counties are represented in the central and southern portions of the State. Making an average of the results from the different counties by sections of the State, it is seen that they vary considerably, as is shown in the following summary: Summary of results. Average weight. Average per cent of sugar in juice. Average purity coeflacient. Number beets. Ounces. 18.9 18.5 14.2 13.3 12.9 10.7 81.9 80.7 78.0 97 Central belt 67 Southern belt 41 72 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. It is seen that there are considerable areas in the northern part of the State where both soil and climatic conditions are extremely favorable to the culture of the sugar beet. The proximity of these counties to Chicago insures a market for all the products of the fac- tory. In many cases these counties are situated in or near the gas area of the State, so that fuel is comparatively cheap. All of them are within easy distance of the great coal tields of Indiana, and the supply of water and Ihnestone is abundant. It is evident, therefore, that all the conditions favorable to the growth and manufacture of the beets exist in the northern part of the State of Indiana, and there is no rea- son to doubt the speedy foundation and healtlij' growth of the industry in that locality. Iowa . The thermal conditions for the growth of beets in Iowa are fiivorable over almost the whole of the State from north to south. The southern counties are probably a little too Avarm for the best results, aud the northern counties too nuich exposed to severe cold weather during harvest time. One hundred and thirty samjiles of beets were sent directly from Iowa to the Department of Agriculture for analysis. In the results as tabulated by counties it will be observed that a great many of the counties are represented by a single sample, and therefore it is not possible to base any conclusions on the work done in respect of the j^ossibilities of growth of beets in such counties. Benton County sent samples, with an average weight of 16 ounces; 13.S per cent of sugar in the beet, with a purity of 70.9. Clintou County furnished 5 samples. The beets were very small, averaging only 11 ounces. The content of sugar was high, namely, 16.8 per cent, and the jnirity low, 75.8. Greene County sent 39 samples of good size, namely, 21 ounces: rather low content of sugar, namely, 12.7 per cent, and a low purity, namely, 76.3. Guthrie County sent 6 samples of good size, namely, 23 ounces; rather low conten.t of sugar, 12.5 per cent, with a purity of 78.8. The averages for the 130 samples from the State are as follows: Weight, 18 ounces: sugar in beets, 13.3 per cent; purity, 73.7. Under the direction of the agricultural experiment station of the State, in cooperation with this Department, a large number of samples of seed was distributed, and 642 samples of beets sent to the station for analysis. Following is an abstract of the report of Prof. C. F. Curtiss, director of the Iowa station : Total number of samples analyzed, 642. One and seven-tenths per cent of the samples contained 17 per cent or more of sugar: 73 per cent of these had a purity coethcient of 80 or above, and 50 per cent of these samples weighed 14 ounces or above. Four and three-tenths per cent of the samples contained 16 per cent and over of sugar and less than 17 per cent; of these samples SO per BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY ]N TPIE UNITED STATES. 73 cent had a purity coefticieiit of 80 degrees or above, and 2.9 per cent weighed 14 onnces or above. Twenty-two and three-tenths per cent of the samples contained 14 per cent or over of sugar and less than IG per cent; of these samples 50 per cent had a purity coeflQcieut of 80 or above, and G2 per cent weighed 10 ounces or above. Forty-one and four-tenths per cent of the samples contained 12 per cent and over of sugar and less than 14 per cent; of these samples 14.7 per cent had a purfty coefficient of 80 or above, and 69 per cent weighed 10 ounces or above. Sixty-nine and three-ten tbs per cent of the total number of samples contained 12 per cent or more of sugar. The above i)erceiitages are based on the weight of the juice. The mean weight of the samples received at the Iowa station was 10 ounces, the mean per(;entage of sugar In the beet 12.4, and the mean l^urity 70.0. The results by counties are given in the following table: Analyses of sugar hcets -^ s a a"" •a ? t> Jz; 'A ^- Ozs. 10 1 14 17 2 17 14 2 12 4 34 8 5 10 21 22 18 6 14 10 17 37 28 %i 20 4 20 12 14\21^ 28/ ''n' 3 20 17 15 24 11 20 6 12 14 21 5 17 G 19 G 16 6 13 31 18 6 16 G 5 14 14 20 6 15 40 19 14 18 3 20 26 4 22 12 16 28 10 19 Per ct. 10.64 12.61 14.91 10. 35 13.88 11.29 10.86 11.61 12.14 11.21 11.65 15.13 13.87 12.29 13.67 12. 48 11.12 14.04 14.14 11.86 9.51 12.83 15.47 12.83 11.17 11.82 11. 12 14.23 8.76 10.17 12. 75 11.38 11.40 2 =■ £ P. 72.0 79.5 72.5 74.0 75.0 81.0 70.8 77.0 79.9 78.0 79.2 78.0 82.0 77.0 84.0 77.5 71.0 83.0 County. 74.0 77.0 70.0 76.0 78.0 78.0 7.3.0 76.0 77.3 83.0 C7. 68.5 79.0 79.6 76.0 Lyon Marion Marshall McPherson Montgomery. . Morris Nemaha Osage Osborne Ottawa , Pawnee Phillips Pottawatomie Pratt Rawlins Keno Kepublic Rice Riley Rooks ; Rush Russell Saline Sedgwick Shawnee , Sheridan Smith Sumner Waubauusee. . Wallace Washington . . Wichita Wilson Woodson , Wyandotte . . . « 7) ■< Ozs. 16 16 25 7 15 15 23 16 16 22 4 19 IG 8 16 12 18 14 21 16 20 10 9 12 15 21 28 18 15 19 27 14 14 7 14 Per ct. 13. 29 11.23 12. 20 13.08 11.39 14.01 10.30 12.17 12.39 12.90 8.52 12. 10 12.20 12.19 9.57 13.78 10.69 11.71 8.98 13.39 11.88 11.49 15.78 11.23 12.19 11.59 11.12 13.38 12.14 11.58 10.79 U.24 13.12 14.32 14.11 79.5 71.8 79.4 76.0 74.6 74.5 74.2 77.2 70.0 78.2 70.0 79.5 83.6 75.0 73.0 79.5 74.5 74.5 70. 3 80.5 77.0 71.0 84.0 74.0 77.3 78.5 78.0 76.0 77.5 76 75. 2 79.0 81.0 73.0 75.0 The data obtained at the Kansas station corroborate in every respect those secured at the Department of Agriculture. It is evident that 76 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. fairly good beets can be grown in Kansas, and there are doubtless seasons when exceptionally rich beets might be secured. In general, however, it maybe said that there is no immediate prospect of the suc- cessful establishment of the sugar-beet industry in that State, unless it might be in some of the extreme western or northwestern counties, where irrigation might be practiced, and where the altitude is sufficiently high to secure a lowering of the temijerature. One of the great causes of danger, however, is found in the hot southwest winds, which frequently blow over the State with disastrous couseiiuences at the period when the crops are growing most rapidly. It will be seen that in many instances individual analyses obtained in Kansas are extremely satisfactory, as for instance, in Elk County, where two samples, including 14 different beets, showed au average weight of 21 ounces, an average content of sugar in the juice of 14 per cent, and an average purity of 83. Another sample is found in Saline County, wliere 16 beets, forming two samples, showed a sugar content of 15.8 per cent in the juice, with an average purity of 84. In this case, however, the beets were very much under size, the average weight being only 9 ounces. When, however, the data received from the counties are compared with similar data from the State of New York, the discrepancy observed is so great as to indicate, without further elucidation, the proper locality where the first development of the sugar-beet industry should be looked for. In the light of our previous experiments, it must be evident that high-grade sorghum, developed from cai-efully selected seeds, has a better prospect in Kansas of being a profitable sugar-producing plant than the sugar beet. Kentucky. Oidy a few samples, with the exception of those sent by the experi- ment station, have l)eeu received from Kentucky. This State being situated far south of the theoretical sugar-beet belt, it is not to be expected that the results of the analyses would be particularly encour- aging. The mean weight of the six samples received was 16 ounces, the mean percentage of sugar 11.9, and the purity 71.5. The six sam- ples included four from the experiment station. The beets received were small, and tlie percentage of sugar only a trifle under the mini- mum which is advisable for profitable sugar making. The purity, however, is excessively low, and this seems to be characteristic of beets grown too far south, the purity coefficient usually falling in a more rai)id proportion than the content of sugar. Large numbers of samples were received from the experiment sta- tion in addition to those analyzed above, which were grown upon the special plot, which will be mentioned later on, and under the most favorable conditions of culture. The beets which were sent to the De])artment were of good size and mostly of a favorable shape, but the analytical data were very disappointing, falling a great deal lower than BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 77 wagexpected. Mue samples of White Improved Imperial Elite, planted May 8 and harvested December 9, bad an average weight of 33 ounces, with 4.9 per cent of sugar. Three samples of original Kleiuwanzlebener had an average weight of 23 ounces, with 10.8 per cent of sugar. Six- teen samples of Vilmorin's Improved had an average weight of 25 ounces, with 6.4 per cent of sugar. Thirty-nine samples of the Demes- may variety had an average weight of 29 ounces, with 5.3 per cent of sugar. All of these beets were somewhat overgrown, but not suffi- ciently so to account for the extremely low percentage of sugar. A large additional number of samples had been selected for analysis, but the results of the preceding analyses were so discouraging as to render the further prosecution of the analytical work unnecessary. This sub- ject will be mentioned again when the experiments in the specially cultivated plots with high grade seeds are discussed. Maryland. All the analyses of the samples of beets grown in Maryland were made in the laboratory of this division, the agricultural station at College Park not having undertaken any work of this kind. The whole num- ber of samples received from the State was 29. The mean size of the beets was 19 ounces, the mean percentage of sugar in the beets 11.4, and the mean purity of the juices 79.1. In respect of size, the samples from Maryland are about the mean. The purity of the juice is almost up to the minimum standard, but the percentage of sugar in the beet is about 0.6 less than is advisable for manufacture. In regard to climatic conditions, as has been before intimated, the State of Maryland occupies a somewhat peculiar position. There is a considerable area along the eastern shore, next to the ocean, where the average summer temperature is 71°. In the western part of the State, after a long deflection to the north, the isotherm of 70° may again be found. Lying immediately south of the isotherm of 71°, in the north- ern portion of Maryland, are found some very fine valley lands where the conditions of culture may be considered favorable. These lands are underlaid by limestone, which in many cases comes to the surface. Theoretically they are a little too warm for the most successful culture, but lying so near the favorable thermal belt there may be reasonable hopes of successful culture iu many localities. In the western portion of the State, where the thermal conditions are favorable, we find the mountain ranges, and the low temperature of the summer is due to the high elevation. The quantity of table lands ujion the toi)S of the moun- tains, however, is not sufficiently great to warrant the expectation of the founding of a great industry. There is no doubt, however, of the possibility of growing very rich beets on these table lands. In general it may be said that the State of Maryland is not very favorably situated for the culture of sugar beets, but there are circumscribed localities 78 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. ■witliiu the State where it is desirable to conduct further experiments. It is therefore earnestly hoped that the agricultural experiment station of the State will make a more careful agricultural survey of the possi- bilities of the culture of sugar beets therein. Michigan. The southern peninsula of Michigan is favorably situated for the culture of sugar beets, both in respect of thermal conditions and rain- fall. The soil is also for the most part well suited to sugar-beet culture. In going northward, however, it becomes more sandy until finally the pine regions are reached, where a soil without fertilization would not be sufficiently rich to produce large crops. The well-known tendency of a sandy soil, with proper meteorological conditions, to produce beets of a high purity is well illustrated in the samples which have been received from Michigan. In all, 450 samples from the State were sent to this laboratory for analysis, 400 of them being from Saginaw County and grown under the supervision of Messrs. Higgins & Lenders. In regard to the results from particular counties, attention should be called to the fact that the samples from Allegan were all enormously overgrown, the average weight of the beets being 62 ounces and the corresponding content of sugar and the coefficient of purity low. The results from Calhoun County, in the southern part of the State, are par- ticularly favorable, the average weight of the samples being 17 ounces, average content of sugar in the beet 15.8, and the average purity 83.2. The greater part of the samples having come from Saginaw County, the average data for this county are almost the same as those of the State, with the exception that the purity is considerably higher. The average composition of the 400 samples from Saginaw County was as follows : Average weight, 22 ounces; sugar content in the beet, 14.8 per cent, and purity, 83.3. For the whole State — 450 samples — the average weight was 22 ounces, average sugar content 14.7 per cent, and average purity 81.1. The agricultural experiment station of Michigan, in cooperation Avith the Department of Agriculture, also made an extensive series of inves- tigations, a resume of which is given below : RESULTS BY COUNTIES OF THE CULTIVATION OF SUGAR BEETS IN MICHIGAN IN 1897. The following table is given containing the nnmbcr of samples sent to the station from each county, the average per cent of sugar in the juice, and coefiScient of purity of all samples sent. Seed was distributed in sixty-eight counties, and from the table below it will be seen that samples have been received from sixty-fonr of them. The average per cent of sugar in the Juice of beets of the whole State, wh''n grown on the proper kind of soil and from the right kind of aoed, is 16 40, and the coefficient of i»urity is 84. An average of 16.40 per cent of sugar for the whole State, far exceeding the best districts in France and Germany, is both surprising and gratifying.' 'These data are obtained by omitting from the table the analyses of samples which were known to have been grown under unfavorable conditions. — H. W. W. BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 79 Analyses of sigar heets grown hi Michigan and analyzed by the Michigan agricultural experiment station. County. Alger ... A Hey an . Alpeua.. Antrim . Areuac. Baraga. . Barry . . . Bay Berrien . Branch.. Calhoun. Charlevoix Clare Clinton Crawford Eaton Emmet Genesee Grand Traverse . Gratiot Hillsdale Huron Ingham loiiia Iosco Iron Isabella Jaokson Kalamazoo Kalkaska Kent Lapeer Leelaiiaw Lenawee liivingston ilackinac Macomb Manistee Mason Me('osta Menominee ilidland Missaukee Monroe Montcalm Muskegon Newaygo Oakland Oceana Ontonagon Osceola Otsego Ottawa. Saginaw St. Clair St. Joseph Sanilac ■ Shiawassee Tuscola Van Buren Washtenaw Wayne Wexford Total number of samples. 1 3 2 2 8 1 4 10 ■A 3 6 2 7 2 4 1 h 1 6 7 6 2 6 ;)C •4 6 1 4 7 17 2 16 2 3 5 2 1 11 6 5 4 6 2 1 2 2 9 13 7 11 4 2 1 14 127 31 1 11 4 1 4 4 9 9 Sugar in juice. Per cent. 14.22 15.67 15.01 15.97 16.77 14.10 14.90 15.53 17. 83 16.62 15.82 15.44 17.58 16.80 15.89 15.25 17.50 15. 02 14.75 15.75 16.09 16.71 17.47 16.43 16.36 13.18 18. IS 14. 09 19.74 15.45 16.91 15.55 17.71 18.77 15.96 14.34 1«.22 16.11 17,09 16.54 16.67 16.58 17.62 15.79 16.41 17.64 16.03 16.11 15.29 16.54 15.15 16.55 18.00 16.47 15.99 17.53 12.16 18.15 16.89 18.94 13.82 16.10 16. 12 14. 59 Coeffi- cient of purity. Samples rejected for bad soil or seed. Number of sam- Sugar in pies on juice in right soil 1 such and prop- samples, er seed 5 4 6 2 1 2 2 9 12 6 11 4 2 1 14 123 30 1 11 4 1 4 44 Total Average Per cent. 14.22 15.67 15.01 15, 97 16.77 14.10 14.90 16.00 17. 83 16.62 15.82 15.44 17.58 16.80 16.05 15.25 17.50 15.02 16.14 15.91 16.09 16.71 17.47 16.53 16,36 14.22 18.18 16.41 18,16 15,87 16,91 15.85 17.71 18.77 15.96 14.34 16, 22 16,91 17.09 16.54 16.67 16,58 17.62 15,79 16,41 17, 64 16.03 16.54 16.26 16,54 15.15 16.55 18.00 16.47 16.13 17.64 12.16 18.15 16.89 18.94 13.82 16.10 17.08 15.25 Coeffi- cient of 2)urity. 80 82 85 76 81 84 87 84 84 82 87 84 86 81 83 82 84 83 83 84 85 87 82 79 80 82 86 82 83 84 84 89 85 80 85 83 84 85 81 84 86 84 84 83 85 81 83 86 79 85 90 83 84 83 76 86 83 89 80 84 85 81 Five samples from Oceaua County are iiot included in results of analyses, because they were dried and damaged by keeping. 80 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. Interesting" data in regard to cost of culture were obtained at the Michigan station. The plats were planted on the 8th of May, and harvested on the 6th of October. After throwing the dirt away from the beets by a j)low they were pulled by hand and the leaves and stems removed. Owing to the deep subsoiling and thorough preparation of the ground, the beets were found wholly embedded in the soil, none of them having been pushed above the surface. The average weight of the beets before the removal of the necks was about 2^ i)ounds. The following table gives the total labor, calculated to 1 acre, required for growing and harvesting the beets: Man and team. Man. Hours. 12.00 3.75 .80 Sours. Plowing and subsoiling HaiTo^\iug Marking Planting ' 3.25 Cnltivating 15.00 Tliinning and hoeing 75.90 Harvesting T , 4.60 130.75 36.15 1 209.90 The hand labor in harvesting was performed by boys at 8 cents an hour. The work of hoeing and thinning was performed by men at 12^ cents an hour. The cost of team Avork is computed at 25 cents an hour for man and team. On the above basis, the total cost of planting, culti- vating, and harvesting an acre of beets at the Michigan Experiment Station was $20.40. The yield per acre, the percentage of sugar in the juice, and the purity for each variety grown are shown in the following- table : Variety. Wohanka Inijuoved Klein wanzlebener Original Klein w.anzlebener Government Kleiuwanzlebener . Lal'lius lliche Government Klt^inwanzlebener . Hocrning'n Improved F!oli)'s Improved Kleiuwanzlebener on muck Yield per acre. Pounds. 23, 615 25, 678 27, ;!fi8 25, 648 29, 205 32, 327 24, 500 20, 200 Sugar. Per cent. 15.22 16.40 18.27 17.78 18.78 17.78 15. 20 13. 21 12.96 Purity. Full details of all the experiments conducted in Michigan by the agricultural experiment station are found in Bulletin No. 150 of that station, issued in December, 1807, by Director C. D. Smith and Chemist E. C. Kedzie. The study of the two sets of data secured at the Department of Agri- culture and by the agricultural experiment station of Michigan is suf- ficient to demonstrate the fact that the southern peninsula of Michigan has great possibilities for the deveh^pment of the sugar-beet industry. When it is remembered that the most of those who grew the samples had had no previous ex])erience in the matter, that no systematic fertilization was attemptetl, and that in many instances the soil was BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 81 improperly prepared, the remarkably favorable results obtained are the more couviucing. It is evident that all the southern portion of the Southern Michigan Peninsula, in conjunction with the northern part of Indiana, forms an area in which the future will see a remarkable' development of the sugar-beet industry. Minnesota. Forty-nine samples from the State of Minnesota were received for analysis at the laboratory of the Department of Agriculture. The mean weight of the samples received was 24 ounces, the mean percent- age of sugar in the beet 11, and the mean purity coefficient 79.2. Great variations are shown in the samples received from difterent parts of the State. One of the best series of results was obtained from Freeborn County, in the southern part of the State, from which twelve samples were received, having an average weight of 20 ounces, an average content of sugar in the beet of 14.1 per cent, and an average coefficient of purity of 82.3. Another good series of samples, though less in number, was from Ottertail County, in the western part of the State, from which four samples were received, having an average weight of 23 ounces, a mean content of sugar in the beets of 14.9 per cent, and a mean coefficient of purity of 82.1. The general average from the State was lowered by a large number of very poor samples, which evidently had been grown under extremely unfavorable conditions. The period of growth in Minnesota, while a little short, is neverthe- less favorable from other considerations, especially in the southern and eastern portions of the State. Toward the northwestern portion of the State the rainfall is somewhat uncertain, and the autumn is perhaps a little too cold. As has been intimated before, the chief difficulty in Minnesota in the establishment of the beet-sugar industry is not in securing a proper growing season, but in having a sufficient time to properly harvest and protect the beets. The sudden, and often early, advent of winter in the northern and western portions of the State will be the cause of difficulties of a serious nature in the harvesting and siloing of the beets. These are factors which intending investors will do well to carefully consider. In general, the conditions of growth are so favorable as to warrant the careful studj^ of the soils of the State by the agricultural experiment station with a view to selecting those locali- ties where the conditions of culture are most favorable. In a State of such vast area it is far better to determine those restricted sections where the conditions are most favorable rather than try to establish the industry indiscriminately in every portion of the State. In cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, the agricultural experiment station of Minnesota conducted an extensive series of cul- ture experiments in various parts of the State. The general results of the experiments are indicated in the report of the chemist of th?. station, which follows. H. Doc. 396 6 82 BEET-SUGAI4 INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. EXPERIMENTS CONDUCTED BY THE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION OF MINNESOTA. , The seed from which the beets were grown was obtained from a variety of sonrces. Some procnred seed from the stock which the legislature directed the (State treas- urer to purchase. About 100 pounds of seed were obtained from the United States Department of Agriculture and distributed by the experiment station. Some seed was obtained direct from Germany, while a few obtained seed from seed dealers and other sources. As a rale, the seed Avas of good quality. Only a few instances of poor seed were reported. There was but little difference as to the quality of the beets produced by the seed furnished by tlie State and by the Department of Agriculture. At the experiment station the average of four plots of Klein wanzlebener beets grown from State seed showed 17.5 per cent sugar, with a purity coefficient of 86.7, while the average of four plots of Kleinwanzlebener beets grown from United States Depart- ment of Agriculture seed gave 17.4 per cent sugar and a purity coefficient of 87.8. The past season has not been one particularly favorable to the production of the highest quality of beets. It has been the most unfavorable season in nine years. As a whole, however, the results have been satisfactory, aiul I consider them of unusual .value, because they indicate the quality of the beets which are produced in an unfavorable rather than a favorable season. At the experiment station the average of those plots which were grown under normal conditions gave a sugar content of 17.4 per cent and a purity (ioefficient of 87.3. There is one factor in our favor which I think has been overlooked in considering desirable locations for sugar-beet factories, and that is, we have never lost a sugar- beet crop from hot, dry winds, which occasionally occur in some of the prairie States. About thjee hundred samples of beets have been tested during the season. In many cases the results were lower than they would have been if the beets had been properly cultivated. In one of the tables the results are given of some of the beets which have been grown under abnormal conditions. In one case twenty-five min- utes' time was spent on a quarter acre of beets, while in another case the seeds were planted five inches. These results, while they possess no value as indicating the quality of sugar beets which may be produced in a locality, are nevertheless valua- ble, because they emphasize the importance of the right kind of cultivation for sugar-beet production. Sugar beets grown at the Minnesota Experiment Station. No. plot. No. tests. Sugar. Purity coeflicient. Average weight. Highest results: Kows 18 inches apart and beets 4 Per cent. 18.5 14.2 16.0 15.8 15.9 17.4 Per cent. 92.5 78.0 86.1 85.5 85.4 87.3 Ounces. 12.8 Lowest results : Rows 30 inches apart and beets 10 18.4 Average of rows: 24 and ;iO inches apart and beets 4 to 6 inches in row. 24 and 30 inches apart and baets 6 to 10 inches in 8 8 8 8 16 16 16 16 15.1 14.9 14 and 18 Incheo apart and beets 8 and 10 inches in 14.1 14 and 18 inches apart and beets 4 and 6 inches in 1L6 The cultivation of the beets was under the supervision of the Agricultural Divi- sion. The analyses were all made by the chemist of the station. The analytical data obtained are summarized from the details of the chemist's report in the following table: Total number of analyses reported 143 AA'crage weight of the beets (ounces) 17 Average per cent of sugar in the juice 13. 8 Average coefficient of purity 81. 8 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 83 Tile classification of results is made in several portions, namely, analyses of miscellaneous samples from the State at large and analyses of special samples from definite localities. In the analyses of mis- cellaneous beets collected from different parts of tlie State, with the excej)tion of those specially mentioned below, thirty-four samples were examined. The mean weight of the beet is not given in this table of analyses. The mean percentage of sugar in the juice is 14.25 and the mean purity coefficient 82. Sixteen samples grown at Mankato, Minn., showed an average weight of 21.9 ounces, a mean percentage of sugar in the juice of 12.8, and a purity coefficient of 80.2. Ten samples grown at Winton and Stockton had an average weight of 17.1 ounces, contained 13.7 per cent of sugar in the juice, and had a purity coefficient of 81.9. Eighty- three samples grown at Albert Lea had an average weight of 16.6 ounces, contained 13.8 per cent of sugar in the juice, and had a purity coefficient of 82.1. In general, it will be observed that the results obtained on the samples sent directly to the station were better than those secured at the lab- oratory in Washington. Upon the whole, the results of the work done at the experiment station are eminently satisfactory, especially as they were accompanied with the statement of the director that the condi- tions were the most unfavorable, for the development of a crop of sugar beets, which had been known in the State since the commencement of the experiments in this direction, in 1888. The results of the analyses of the beets grown at the station are extremely satisfactory. The average weight of the beet, to be sure, is somewhat low, but this doubtless was due to an unfavorable growing season. The mean percentage of sugar in the beets grown in different Idiots is exceptionally fine, and the coefficient of purity in one instance is higher than could reasonably be expected with the best kind of culture. Only in one of the plots cultivated on the station are the results unsatisfactory, and in this case it is the coefficient of i)urity especially which has fallen below the standard. Missouri. Very extensive experiments were made in Missouri, about 4,000 sam- ples of seed having been distributed, and over 600 returns made. There were sent directly to the Department of Agriculture 324 sam- ples, detailed analyses of which are found in the preceding tables. The average weight of the samples received was 20 ounces. The mean percentage of sugar in the beet was 11.7 and the mean purity 73.5. Many individual samples from the State show excellent qualities, but reliable judgment, as intimated before, can only be based upon large numbers of analyses. Among the counties furnishing beets of high quality may be mentioned Barton, in the southwestern part of the State. Three samples were received from this county, all of them of 84 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. rather large size and fine content of sugar, the mean size being 27 ounces, the mean content of sugar in the beet 15.3 per cent; only the purity in all cases was a little low, the mean being 77.3. Benton County, in the center of the State, also showed good results, five sam- ples having an average weight of 16 ounces, an average sugar content of 15.5 per cent, and an average purity of 77.1. The best single sam- ple received was from Pulaski County, in the center of the State, the percentage of sugar being 18.3, the purity 86.1; but the weight was low, namely, only 12 ounces. Two hundred and ninety-nine samples of beets were sent directly to the agricultural experiment station of Missouri and analyzed in the laboratory of that station. The mean results, by counties, obtained on analysis are given in the following table: Summary of analyses of hects grown in Missouri. [From Keport of Missouri Experiment Station.] County. Adair Andrew Audrain Barry Barton Bates Benton Boone Buclianan . . Butler Caldwell . . . Callaway... Carroll Cass Cedar Chariton ... Christian .. Clark Clay Cooper Crawlord... Dade Dallas Dekalb Dent Douglas Franklin . . . Gasconade . Gentry Greene Grundy.... Harrison . . . Henry Hickory Holt Howell Iron Jackson Jasper Jefl'erson . . . Johnson Knox Laclede Lafayette . . Lawrence . . Lewis Lincoln Linn ^^ Ozs. 29 22 32 24 41 22 16 29 34 8 35 33 28 22 7 16 32 54 36 19 20 30 16 46 10 4 30 19 31 20 18 6 25 24 29 28 13 36 27 17 22 46 19 25 24 25 42 28 o " a ifi sag, Per ct. 14.31 82.89 12.16 76.76 7.10 56,66 12.85 73.96 16.97 81.62 11.56 70.82 18.19 86.30 8.19 63. 78 12.20 81.88 6.47 58. 23 12.99 80.16 12.45 76.45 11.08 75.03 16.36 84.75 11.08 78.86 12.35 74.24 11.14 67.86 12.80 77.76 8.87 67.16 8.43 61.09 11.95 81.27 10.56 67.95 14.06 74.95 10.11 70.40 14.51 72. 60 15.19 88. 68 9.31 70.81 10.88 68.60 12.68 75.42 12.27 77.17 12.16 71.11 18.45 11.05 66.76 11.88 76.66 10.26 73.29 13.10 78.18 13.11 79.76 12.14 79.28 11.04 72. 57 10.71 66.73 11.90 72.54 12.81 74.87 12.36 68.62 11.45 74.08 12.12 78.06 15.60 82.27 7.94 57.18 12.28 72.21 County. Livingston McDonald Macfn Madison Maries Marion Mercer Mississippi Monroe Montgomery New Madrid Nodaway Oregon Ozark Perry Pettis Phelps Platte Pike (average) First harvest.. Second harvest Kandolph Kay Saline ". . . Schuyler Scotland Scott Shannon Shelby St. Charles St. t;iair St. Fi'ancjois St. Louis' Stoddard Sullivan Taney Texas Vernon Warren AVashington Wayne Webster Worth Wright Total and meau sg u tm Ozs. 12 19 14 20 28 32 44 24 11 21 20 42 20 6 16 24 13 27 21 21 21 16 44 21 25 20 26 12 8 58 6 22 27 16 26 15 13 36 36 28 22 14 34 13 So W Per ct. 9.75 13.83 14.11 13.07 12.95 9.76 13.51 10.57 7.71 12.62 12.30 n.66 8.37 13.81 14.06 10.05 1L31 12.11 10.14 10.94 9.34 14.30 10.95 13.74 15.74 15. 51 9.70 11.94 7.87 11.21 21.02 9.68 13.53 14.79 16.08 13.08 14.33 13.17 8.07 10.71 13.08 13.12 11.35 14.01 28 ; 11.1 70.34 80.05 70.89 71.85 78.92 69.32 80.22 75.00 57.57 78.11 79.03 72.61 67.12 77.15 74.86 65.67 75.56 74.74 75.55 76.81 74.30 80.17 72.40 76. 39 82.30 79.46 66.43 76.10 76. 26 78.36 92.19 61.90 82. 80 74.19 85.92 74.95 78.47 80.30 60.48 73.71 80.58 73.13 83.24 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 85 Of the whole number of samples, the percentage of those containing 13 per cent or more of sugar in the beet was 245 the percentage of these beets with a sugar content of 13 per cent or over having a purity coefficient of 80 or over was 83 ; the percentage of the number of beets containing 13 per cent of sugar which had a purity coefficient of 80 or over and weighing IG ounces or over was 68, The average percentage of sugar in the beet for the whole number of samples examined at the station was 11.1. The average coefficient of x)urity 74.0, and the average weight in ounces 25. A tabular com- parison of the mean results obtained by the Missouri station and in the laboratory of the Department will be interesting: Total uumber of sam- ples. Average weight. Sugar in juice. Purity co- efficient. 324 301 Ounces. 20 28 Per cent: 11.7' 11.1 73.5 71.9 As will be seen above, there is a remarkable agreement between the mean results obtained in the two laboratories. The average size of the samples received at Washington was smaller than that of the beets analyzed at the agricultural experiment station of Missouri, and this is doubtless the cause of the slightly increased mean percentage of sugar obtained in the laboratory of the Department of Agriculture. A general study of the results obtained leads to the inevitable conclusion that Missouri is not very favorably situated for producing beets of the high- est quality. It is possible to secure, in some instances, results which are exceptionally favorable, but that such results could be secured con- tinuously, and from season to season, is not probable. The data show that the whole State of Missouri belongs in the same category, in respect of growing rich sugar beets, as the southern parts of the States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Even the northern counties of Missouri are too far south to give the best results. It is evident, however, in so far as yield is concerned, that Missouri is probably the equal of any State in the Union for growing beets of fine size and large tonnage per acre. Unless exceptional conditions favorable to manufacture are found in the State, it is not probable that the sugar-beet industry will gain a foothold for some time in competition with the more favorable local- ities farther north and east. Montana. Only four samples were received from the State of Montana at the laboratory of the Department of Agriculture. The average weight of the samples was 20 ounces, the mean percentage of sugar in the beet 14.4, and the mean i^urity coefficient of 77.8. Analyses were also made by the agricultural experiment station of Montana. Fifteen analyses were made of samples grown on the 86 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. grounds of the station. The average weight of the samples was 14.8 ounces, the mean percentage of sugar in the beet 16.2, and the mean coefficient of purity of the juice 81.9. Thirty samples grown in the Gallatin Valley had a mean weight of 22 ounces, a mean content of sugar in the beet of 13.7 per cent, and a mean coefficient of purity of 76.4. Eiglit samples grown at Livingston had an average weight of 24.7 ounces, with a mean sugar content of 13.8 per cent in the beet, and a coefficient of purity of 74.3. Nine samples from Kalispell had a mean weight of 32 ounces, a mean content of 13. 5 per cent of sugar in the beet, and a mean coefficient of purity of 76.2. Four samples of beets from Missoula had an average weight of 32 ounces, a mean per- centage of sugar in the beet of 12, and a mean coefficient of purity of 73.6. Four samples of miscellaneous origin had an average weight of 23 ounces, an average sugar content in the beet of 12.7 per cent, and a coefficient of purity of 74. The v/hole number of samples analyzed by the agricultural experiment station of Montana was 70, with a mean weight of 23 ounces, a mean content of sugar in the beet of 14.7 per cent, and a mean coefficient of purity of 77. The results obtained at the experiment station show what can be done by careful culture, and indicate that Montana, under proper con- ditions, is capable of producing a fairly good sugar beet. The data in general are sufficiently encouraging to warrant the agricultural experi- ment station of the State in making a more thorough and careful agri- cultural survey of the possibilities of beet production. Nebraska. Thirteen samples grown in Nebraska were received at the Depart- ment of Agriculture for analysis. The mean weight of the samples received was 29 ounces, the mean percentage of sugar in the beet 12.9, and the mean purity coefficient 76.9. The studies which have been made in Nebraska have been so thorough in previous years that it would not be advisable to make any deductions from so small a number of samples as was analyzed. In connection with the work done at the Dej^artment, the following report of the chemist of the agricultural experiment sta- tion of Nebraska^ may be considered : RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTS IN NEBRASKA. We distributed seed to 433 persons. Of these 158 responded, either by sending beets or written communication, or both. Of the 158, 106 returned samples of beets for analysis; 52 reported failure to secure crop. Of the 52 reporting fail- ures, 14 said that the seed failed to germinate; 14 ascribed failure to dry weather; 24 gave various reasons for failure, 13 stating that the croj) was destroyed by grasshop- pers; 4 lost their crop by reason of stock incursions, and 7 through general neglect. Putting these figures in the form of percentages: 3i3.4 per cent of those receiving seed responded in some way ; 67 per cent of those who reported to us sent beets for analysis; 26.9 per cent of failures were attributed to dry weather; 26.9 per cent of failures were attributed to poor seed ; 25 per cent of failures were caused by grass- hoppers; 7.7 per cent of failures were caused by cattle; 13.4 per cent of failures were caused by general neglect. The results of analyses showed an average of 12.34 per cent of sugar in the juice BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 87 witli a parity coefficient of 75. The highest per cent of sugar in juice was 16.8 with a purity of 78.5. The lowest was 4.6 per cent with a purity coefficient of 45. Beet seed was sent into sixty-seveu counties and beets were received from thirty- six counties. The average results obtaiued agree very closely with those secured iu the laboratory of the Department of Agriculture. So long a time has elapsed siuce sugar-beet growing was commenced iu Nebraska on a large scale that it is possible to form some idea of the adaptability of that State for beet growing. The soils of Nebraska are mostly very fertile, with a fairly level surface, and are well suited in this respect to beet culture. The climatic conditions, as will be seen by consulting the map, are somewhat variable, and the rainfall in parts of the State is scant and in all parts of it very uncertain in respect of distribution. Periods of extremely wet weather are apt to alternate with long droughts. Hot winds may be expected over many parts of the State during the period of most rapid growth, and these winds are extremely injurious to all kinds of vegetation. The winters are apt to come on early and with severity, rendering the harvesting season some- what precarious. There is no doubt of the fact that good beets can be grown under favorable conditions iji Nebraska, but the uncertainties of the season are such as to indicate that there will not be a very rapid expansion of the industry in that State until more favorable areas have been thoroughly exploited. For details iu regard to Nebraska the reports of the agricultural exj^eriment station of Nebraska, at Lincoln, may be consulted. For about eight years this station has been engaged in the study of this question, and has pub- lished numerous and valuable bulletins, many of which can still be obtained by applying to the director of the station. Nevada. A large portion of the State of Nevada, in fact the whole of the northern and western parts, lies within the thermal area suitable to beet culture. Twenty-one samples of beets were received at the Department of Agriculture from Nevada, the average weight of which was 25 ounces, the average content of sugar iu the beet 16.6 per cent, and the average coefficient of purity 81.1. These samples all came from the parts of the State lying within the favorable thermal area. The agricultural experi- ment station of Nevada, at Eeno, also made an investigation of the possibilities of growing beets in that State, and has submitted a report on the subject. In all, twenty-two samples were received at Reno for analysis, the average weight of which was 25 ounces, and the average content of sugar 16.9 per cent, the purity not being given. These data show a remarkable agreement with those obtained by the Dej^artment of Agriculture. The beets were grown entirely under irrigation. Some of them, however, received ouly one irrigation and others as high as five. The results obtained at the station itself were in the highest degree satisfactory. The total number of samples grown and analyzed at the 88 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. station was ten, the mean weight of the beets was 19 ounces, and the mean percentage of sugar 18.9, ijurity coefficient not given. Mr. Stubbs, the director of the station, in submitting his report, states that he distributed 90 pounds of the seed received from the Department to thirty farmers residing in fifteen counties. Only five of the thirty farmers sent samples for analysis. One reported failure from stock breaking into the field and destroying the crop; one, failure from lack of water, and one stated that the samples of seeds sent him did not arrive. Mr. John Harrison reports that there are 20,000 acres of land in a single body such as he used for growing his beets. All the samples sent to the De]>artiuent of Agricluture by Mr. Harri- son, ten in number, were from Humboldt County ; the average weight of the samples was 21 ounces, the mean content of sugar in the beets 18.8 per cent, and the mean coeflicieiit of purity 83.1. It is evident that, if such beets as these can be grown in that locality, the 20,000 acres of land suitable to beet culture would suffice to maintain a large factory, which must of necessity prove eminently successful if fuel, limestone, and water can be had in sufficient abundance and sufficiently cheap to operate it. The cultural results in Xevada are of the high- est significance. This State, which is devoted chiefly to mining, has very small agricultural interests, but if a few areas capable of irriga- tion^ like that at Lovelocks, in Humboldt County, can be found, Xevada should become a beet i)roducing State. The establishment of this agri- cultural industry could not fail to be of immense benefit to the Com- monwealth. There is no other State in which the reports are more favorable, althougii it may be said that the number of samples is not sufficiently large to carry absolute conviction. Nevertheless, the uni- form excellence of the samples can not be the result of accident, but must have been due to the favorable influences of soil and climate. The agricultural experiment station of this State will do well to make a more careful survey, and especially to map out the localities where the contour of the State is suitable to beet culture and where water can be obtained. New Jersey. As has been before stated, New Jersey is traversed from the south toward the north by the mean isotherm of 71° for the three summer mouths. A portion of it is therefore within the theoretical tliermal belt for beet growing, in general, it may be said, however, tluit the temperature will be found a little too warm to secure the best results. On the other hand, the soil of New Jersey is of a sandy nature, suited to the growth of a beet with a high purit}'. The data which have been collected during the season from New Jer sey are encouraging. The whole number of samples received from the State was 31, the average weight 16 ounces, the mean content of sugar in the beet 14.2 per cent, and the coefficient of purity 81.4. Essex and Mercer counties each furnished seven sami)le8; the results in Essex County were fairly good, but in Mercer County were poor. Ocean BEET-SU(,AR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 89 Cotinty furnished eight sainj)les, Avith a high average percentage of sugar and purity coefficient, but with a weight only half the normal. Ko investigations were made by the experiment station of ISTew Jer- sey, but Mr. James B. Vredenburgh, of Jersey City, conducted some very careful exi>eriments at Freehold, in Monmouth County. The following report of Mr. Vredenburgh is interesting and contains valuable data. RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTS IN NEW JERSEY. May i'O, 1S97. — I had ouc-qnarter acre clover sod ploweercentages than where beets were topped and sent considerable distances by mail. While the actual sugar content would be but slightly, if at all, reduced by loss of water, the apparent sucrose per ccut would be changed. Oklahoma. Only one sample of beets was received at the laboratory of the Department of Agriculture from Oklahoma. The average weight of the beets composing the sample was 10 ounces, the mean percentage of sugar in the beets 11.8, and the coefficient of purity, 72.5. The director of the agricultural experiment station has submitted the fol- lowing report of the analyses of 21 samples, showing a mean percent- age of sugar in the juice of 12, and in the beet of 11.4, and a mean coefficient of purity of 65.3. The mean coefficient of purity as obtained at the experiment station of Oklahoma is phenomenally low. These data, taken in connection with the climatic conditions which prevail in that Territory, are sufficient to indicate that there is no prospect of establishiug a beet-sugar industry in Oklahoma. RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTS IN OKLAHOMA. Seed and culture directions were sent to farmers in each county, and the number of requests for seed quickly exhausted the available supply. But twenty-four reports were received ^nd twenty-one authentic samples examined. Of the three total failures reported, one is stated as due to iiood, another to drought, and the third to hail. The yield, judging from the vague and indefinite reports which I have been able to secure, varied greatly. It seems that in many cases the seed was sown too far apart in the drills and that but little regard was paid the culture- directions sent out. In general, a poor stand was secured, and the majority of those reporting are not enthusiastic as to the prosiiects of the sugar-beet industry in Oklahoma. I inclose a tabular statement of the results of analyses of beets. The low coelS- cient of purity of the juice is especially noticeable. Analyses of sugar beets grown in Oklahoma Territory, 1897. County. Canadian , Do .... Do .-.. Cleveland . Custer Gartield... Kingtislier Lincoln ... Do.... Do .... Do .... Logan Sugar in Coeffi- cient of purity. Per cent. 9.3 53.1 13.0 66.3 10.1 62.7 13.0 74.3 13.9 68.1 12.6 67.3 14.9 66.2 10.8 73.0 10.8 57.7 13.9 81.8 10.1 60.1 9.6 68.6 County. sugar in juice. Coeffi- cient of purity. Logan Oklahoma Pawnee Payne Do Do Do Do Pottawatomie Average • cent. 9.3 14.0 12.2 17.7 11.9 11.8 IL 8 8.4 12.8 12.0 58.1 78.6 68.5 72.5 54.3 64.3 63. 1 52.1 61.2 C5.3 Oregon. No samples of beets were received at the Department from the State of Oregon during the season. Previous analyses of beets received from that State have shown uniformly a high content of sugar and a 104 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. higli coefficient of purity. The agricultural experiment station of Ore- gon for several years has devoted a great deal of time and attention to the study of the sugar-beet industry in that State and published valu- able reports on the subject. Mr. G. W. Shaw has prepared a rdsum6 of the worlc of the station and of the Department, which contains the summaries of the work done, with various comments on the data obtained. This report is given below. RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTS IN OREGON. In liis notes on tlio analyses of beets for the season of 1891, Dr. H. W. Wiley, chem- ist of the United States Department of Agriculture, said : " The samples from Oregon are uniformly rich in qualitj'^, and if they truly represent the capabilities of the State there is certainly a bright future for the sugar-beet industry on that portion of the Pacific coast." This was said relative to a series of 33 analyses made at the United States Department of Agriculture, which gave the following average results: weight, 644 grams; sugar in the juice, 14.5 per cent; purity, 82.2. It was to obtain a decided answer to the question, " Does Oregon possess the requi- site conditions for the manufacture of sugar from beets?" that the writer, as chemist of the Oregon Experiment Station, began a series of experiments with beets in 1891, which were continued in 1892 and again in 1897. The results of these investigations are here briefly set forth, more detailed account of which may be had by applying to the station for Bulletin No. 44. The sugar beet does not differ from other plants in requiring certain conditions of climate and soil to give favorable results. In foreign countries both of these ques- tions have been pretty satisfactorily settled, but in some parts of the United States the jdant seems to thrive under very different conditions man obtain in foreign countries. Notably is this true concerning the rainfall, as is illustrated in the case of California and Utah, as well as in the experimental culture in Oregon, as will appear later; hence foreign countries can not be taken as representing the only conditions under which the root will thrive. However, it does there thrive and these conditions can by no means be ignored. It also thrives, and that splendidly, in our own California, hence her conditions can not bo disregarded in a consideration of this question. Let us examine Oregon's condition of climate and soil that, if pos- sible, we may obtain some a priori ideas on these lines. The season for the growth of beets may be divided into three periods — that of germinating, that of plant formation, and that of sugar storing. The following is a comparative table showing the temperature averages for Germany and certain parts of Oregon during these periods : Average temperature for periods of growth. Period of growth. Average temperature. Foreign. First . Second Tiiird. 49.1 63.3 56.3 Eastern Oregon. 56.0 65.0 64.5 Willam- ette valley. 52.5 64.4 63.3 Southern Oregon. 53.3 64.5 54.8 Taking as a basis Dr. McMurtrie's mean isotherm for sugar-beet culture at 70" for June, July, and August, Dr. Wiley, in his report upon beet culture, gives a map of the United States, showing 100 miles on each side of this isotherm, within which area favorable results may be looked for. BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 105 It is iu the rainfall of the State that we find the greatest seeming deviation from those portions of the world which are taken as typical beet-producing regions. This seeming diftereuco should not be considered as a too serious drawback, nor would it appear so to those acquainted with all the conditions. The average amount of rain- fall does not differ much from that of the beet-growing regions of other countries, yet it is not so evenly distributed. It must be borne iu mind, however, that the soils of Oregon are much different with respect to their retentiveness of moisture, and that for all our croi^s the necessary moisture ne;irly all falls during the "wet season," and for this reason we do not usually consider the monthly rainfall as bear- ing so close relation to the crops as it does in most other States, but rather are wont to consider the seasonal precipitation as tlie more important factor. In this respect ours is similar to the condition which obtains in our sister State, California, in which the beet industry has reached a high state of development. Champion and Pellet consider pho8i:)horie acid as an indispensable base for the formation of sugar in the beet. They classify the order in which the plant food is indispensable as follows: (1) Phosphoric acid, (2) lime, (3) nitrogen, (4) potash. It is foreign to our purpose to discuss, at this time, the soils of Oregon to any length, but in connection with the last statement I desire to direct attention to the fact that the soils of Oregon are well — yes, abundantly — supplied with phos- phoric acid; that they surpass those of France iu lime and equal them in potash. Below are contrasted analyses of some of the French sugar-beet soils with those of the natural divisions of this State and those of California. These results, I think, speak for themselves, and need no further comment. Averaye comparative composition of soih. Analysi-s of fine earth. Insoluble matter Soluble silica Pota.sb (K.,0) SodafNa^O) Lime (CaO) Magnesia (MgO) Manganese (Mn304) Iron (FejOs) Alumina ( AI2O3) Sulphuric acid (SO3) Phosphoric acid (P2O6) Carbonic acid (CO2) Water and organic matter . Other matter Humus France. Somme. 2.88 7.24 .40 5.60 1.85 Nord. .14 .42 2.18 8.62 .70 4.84 1.52 Oregon. Eastern. 66.59 13.12 .43 .22 1.22 .75 .10 10.69 .04 .14 6.21 'i.'44' Willamette Valley. 65.18 5.02 .23 .18 .83 .79 .08 16.45 .03 .21 10.77 1.63 Southern. 62.45 8.74 .34 .21 2.22 .80 .25 15.35 .01 .13 Califor- nia. 67.88 8.96 .64 .28 1.08 1.49 .06 15.02 .05 .08 4.40 ".'75 Measured, then, by the foreign conditions .as to temperature and the Calilornia conditions as to rainfall, and with a soil amply supplied with all the elements necessary to produce abundant crops, Oregon would certainly seem favored with all the requisites for success iu beet culture. The analyses made at the station during the season of 1891-92 may be summarized as follows : County averages for 1891. County. Ko. Sugar. Purity co- efUcient. County. No. Sugar. Purity co- efficient. Benton 39 7 1 9 3 16 5 12.30 14.55 13.74 12.99 18.93 14.32 13.54 74.12 77.30 79.42 73.45 80.99 79.95 7n '•^ " 1 1 1 3 11 1 15.99 14.72 15.84 13.96 10.73 78 38 Clackamas Polk 78 08 Columbia 79 89 Douglas 78 79 Jackson Taanhill '. 76.64 14.13 78 08 106 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. An examination of the results reveals that the analyses had a wide range, viz: From 6.77 per cent to 22.44 per cent sugar in the juice. Of the 95 analyses made, 8 fell below 10 per cent; 76 showed over 12 per cent, and 37 over 14 per cent sugar. An average of 81 analyses for the Willamette Valley shows 13.76 per cent sugar and a purity coefiicient of 77.89; the average beet weighing a little o\er 1^ pounds, while an average of 10 analyses of lieets from southern Oregon showed 13.38 per cent sugar with a little larger beet. But this does not really show the capabilities of this sec- tion of the State, as will appear later, for there were quite a number of immature beets included in this average. Experiments of 1892. — For the investigations of 1892 the following varieties were used, Desprez's Early Rose, Vilmorin's Improved, Kleinwanzlebener, and WTiite Imperial, all of which are favorite kinds, the first being much used in California. Unfortunately the seed was delayed in reaching us, so it could not be distributed to the farmers as early as it should have been to secure the best results. Had the seed reached us in due time, it could have been put into the ground in April, for at that time there was favorable weather for seeding, but by the time the seed had been dis- tributed cold weather set in and continued till May, after which the weather became very dry, rendering the conditions for a fair trial very unfavorable. The rainfall for the season was below the normal and reports all read "very dry," " extraordinarily dry," " weather very unfavorable." In fact, nearly all the beets in the eastern portion of the State failed to mature, and in many instances the seed failed to germinate. So far as the season's climate is concerned, then, the experi- ments were greatly handicapped and we were "in pursuit of knowledge under difficulties." The cultivation for this season was the same as for the previous year, except that the rows were placed 20 inches apart. Owing to the disturbed condition of the experiment, the results are doubtless poorer than would have been the case had the season been one of more nearly normal conditions. Still, the results confirm the conclusions of the previous year, that Oregon possesses the conditions necessary for the production of excellent beets for the pur- pose of beet-sugar manufacture. Expressed by counties the averages are as follows: Averages for 1892 by counties. County. Number of analyses. Average for 1892. Purity co- efficient. County. Number of analyses. Average for 1892. Purity co- efficient. Benton 17 1 9 1 2 3 1 2 12.80 15.10 15.20 15.00 15.20 16.20 i7.10 13.80 86.50 87.83 81.15 84.74 84.05 83.00 73.74 74.60 Polk 5 7 10 5 2 i 1 14.50 19.80 15.50 13.70 15.70 21.10 20.20 73.30 87.33 78.79 82.83 88.00 90.50 84 90 Clackamas Washington Taniliill Jackson Wasco Linn Marion The average of all analyses for the State was 15.7 per cent sugar in the juice, with a purity coefficient of 78.08, against 13.75 per cent and a purity of 77.57 for the previous season. Out of the 65 analyses made, only 11 indicated less than 12 percent sugar in the juice, and 41 samples indicated over 14 per cent, the extremes being 9.4 per cent and 23.8 per cent. The average for the different natural divisions of the State were as follows: Fey cent. Willamette Valley, 44 samples 14.7 Eastern Oregon, 11 samples 19.2 Southern Oregon, 10 samples 15.1 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 107 While from 1893 to 1897 no definitely ontliued experiments liave been conducted, yet the station has furnished more or less seed to various parties who have sent the beets to be analyzed. In other cases beet seed has been furnished by other parties, and analyses have been made in all cases when beets were forwarded to the station. The average of the results of 23 analyses made since 1892 shows 15.05 per cent sugar in the juice and a purity coefficient of 89.8. Average of all results. — Let us now collect the restilts to 1897 which have been thus separately set forth . In the same table I beg to include the averages from analyses made at Washington, D. C, by the United States Department of Agriculture. These last-mentioned results really indicate a little too high, probabl^"^ about 10 per cent, on account of the time that necessarily elapsed between harvesting and analyzing, which would result in a loss of water. Expressed by counties the averages are as follows : Average of all analyses for each county. Countv. Benton Clackamas... Columbia Cocs Douglas Jackson Lane , Lincoln ' Linn Marion Polk Union TV'ashington Yamhill Josephine .. Wasco , Malheur Sherman Umatilla Multnomah . Number of anal- yses. Average of analyses made at station. 12.57 15.62 13.74 14.10 17.93 14.42 14.13 15.17 14.54 18.61 15.29 12.87 15.70 21.10 20.20 16.90 Purity coefficient. 79.63 78.76 79.42 77.98 81.00 80.19 73.43 74. 60 74.10 85.10 80.98 82.76 81.21 90.50 83.44 76.80 Number of anal- yses. Average for United States De- ]iartment of Agricul- ture. 14.34 15. 3C 15.30 14.56 17.74 18.94 14.24 14.15 14.15 12.10 14. 35 12.49 Purity co- efficient. 82.8 84.2 81.7 82.6 84.3 83.9 85.4 79.4 81.1 79.8 81.8 80.7 13.55 15.12 72.2 80.9 ' Averaged with Benton County. If we omit from the average those beets which were immature or overgrown, the averages for the State will be : Sugar. Purity co- efficient. Season of 1891 14.3 15.9 15.0 78.2 Season of 1892 81.4 Since 1892 84.8 15.0 81.5 During the season just ended, 1897-98, the experiments were continued, but were limited for the most part to those portions of the State which seemed to oifer not only the best conditions for growing beets, but also presented other favorable economic conditions, for unless the requisites for the manufacture of sugar can be had as well as the beets, it is useless to expend labor in an attempt to show that we can grow good beets. In these experiments the conditions were not particularly favorable — indeed, were adverse, inasmuch as the ground was entirely prepared in 108 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. the spriug aucl the seed was late. The results obtained in the localities selected are given helow : County. "Weight. Sugar. Purity co- efficient. Washington , Orams. 395 508 477 437 512 Per cent. 15.2 13.8 17.5 15. C 14.1 Per cent. 85 83 4 88 4 81 85 8 Pennsylvania. Fifty-niue samples of beets grown iu Peunsylvani^l were received at the Department of Agriculture laboratory for analysis. The mean weight of the beets in the samples was 18 ounces, the mean content of sugar in the beet 13.8 per cent, and the mean coefficient of i^urity, 79.5. The size and sugar content of the samples received from the whole State were satisfactory, but the coefficient of purity falls a little below the minimum standard. The samples received may be divided, for the purposes of study, into two sets, namel3\ those from counties lying in and north and west of the favorable thermal belt, and second, the counties lyiug south aud east of that belt. Collected by counties, the samples divided accord- ing to the above classification show the following data: Counties of I'eunsylvania above and helow isothermal line 70°. County. Above 70° Allegheny Cra-wford Elk Erie Mercer Potter Union Lawrence Averages, etc Beloiv 70'=> Cumbeilantl l..C'banon Perry Yorli Averages, etc Number of samples. 28 Average weight. Ounces. 18 25 16 28 34 18 10 16 21 Sugar in the beets. Percent. 13.8 13.9 13.0 15.8 15.4 18.0 19. C 16.8 14.8 Coeffi- cient of purity. 12 12.2 24 14.4 31 15.7 25 13.9 15 12.7 77.0 75.3 77.4 82.5 83,7 81.1 79.9 78.9 79.6 79.0 It will be seen that the 31 samples coming from the counties lying in and to the north aud west of the favorable thermal belt have an aver- age weight of 21 ounces, a mean content of sugar in the beet of 14.8 per cent, and a mean coefficient of purity of 78.9. The 28 samples com- ing from counties lyiug south and east of the favorable thermal belt have a mean weight of 15 ounces, a sugar content iu the beet of 12.7 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 109 per cent, and a mean purity of 70.8. With the exception of the coefift- cient of purity, the influence of the more favorable thermal conditions is easily distinguished. Of the counties in Pennsylvania furnishing the most data may be mentioned Allegheny, with 13 samples, having an average weight of 18 ounces, a mean content of sugar in the beet of 13.8 i)er cent, and a mean purity of 77. Cumberland County, in the southern part of the State, sent 22 samples, having a mean weight of 12 ounces, a mean content of sugar in the beet of 12 per cent, and a mean purity of 79.6. Erie County sent 7 samples, having a mean weight of 28 ounces, a mean content of sugar in the beet of 15.8 per cent, and a mean purity of 82.5. The samples from Erie County are decidedly the most favorable, and this is to be expected, since Erie County has conditions of soil and climate which are entirely analogous to those pervading the i^ew York area from Albany to Buffalo. Attention has been called before to the mountainous character of a large part of the State of Pennsylvania, even where favorable thermal conditions prevail. It is evident, however, that in the northern and western portions of the State, where suitable soil can be found, the culture of the sugar beet may be introduced under the most favorable conditions, and with every prospect of success. EXPERIMENTS CONDUCTED BY THE AGRICULTURAL EXPEIUMENT STATION. The agricultural experiment station of Pennsylvania cooperated with the Department of Agriculture in the investigation of the beet-sugar work, and has published the results of its work in Bulletin No. 40 of that station. For details of the analytical work and of the observa- tions made by the director of the station the reader is referred to the bulletin mentioned. In discussing the analyses Director Armsby says: Of the 69 samples reported upon in the above table, 55 (or 80 per cent) showed over 12 per cent of sugar in the beet. Thirty- four samples (or 49 per cent) showed a coefficient of purity of over 80. Thirty-two out of the total number (or 46 per cent) showed over 12 per cent of sugar and also a purity coefficient of over 80. In view of the fact that practically all of the beets were raised by farmers who had had no experience in the culture of this plant for sugar, the results must be regarded as decidedly favorable so far as the quality of the beets is concerned. In 40 cases out of the whole number we have data regarding the average weight of the beets. Of these 40 samples, 14 (or 35 per cent) weighed between 0.80 and 1.35 pounds, 18 (or 45 per cent) were below 0.80 pound in weight, and 8 (or 20 per cent) were above 1.35 pounds. It thus appears that, as a rule, the size of the beets was rather small. Thirty-four of the experimenters reported the yield of beets. In most cases the yield was calculated from that of a comparatively small area, and in many cases there is evidence that the results may be cousiderably in error. Taking them as they stand, however, 10 (or 29 per cent) reported a yield of over 15 tons per acre, 2 (or 6 per cent) a yield of between 10 and 12 tons per acre, and 17 (or 50 per cent) a yield below 10 tons per acre. It thus appears that while, as stated above, the general quality of the beets was good, the yield was rather small. 110 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. As stated above, 32 of the samples showed more than 12 per cent of sugar with a purity coefficient of more than 80. Of these 32 experiments, 7 (or 22 per cent) reported a yield of over 10 tons per acre, 4 (or 13 per cent) a yield of betv.^een 8 and 10 tons per acre, 7 (or 22 per cent) a yield of less than 8 tons per acre, Avhilo M (or 44 per cent) did not report the yield. These figures confirm those given above in showing that the yield was, as a whole, rather small. Rhode Island. Only 2 samples were received from Ehode Island, and no deductions of any value can be made from such limited data. The average weight of the beets composing the samples was 21 ounces, the mean percent- age of sugar therein 11.9, and the mean purity 74.2. These data of course are far from encouraging, but there are reasons for supposing that the climate of Ehode Island is favorable to the production of a much richer beet. The available area for cultivation in beets in Ehode Island is small, and it may not be worth while to prosecute the experi- mental work. Nevertheless, it is suggested that it might be profitable for tlie agricultural experiment station of Ehode Island to study the subject to a greater extent. South Carolina. Thirteen samples were received at the Department of Agriculture from South Carolina. The mean weight of the samples was 17 ounces, the percentage of sugar in the beet 9.9, and the mean purity 79.9. These data, taken into consideration with the latitude and thermal con- ditions, Indicate that there is no prospect of South Carolina becoming a sugar-j)roducing State. South Dakota. Only 5 samples of beets grown in South Dakota were received at the Department for analysis. The mean weight of the beets compos- ing these samjjles was 17 ounces, the mean content of sugar in the beet 15.1, and the mean purity coefiBcient 83.2. These data are favorable, but too meager for the basis of any definite conclusions. EXPEKIMENTS BY THE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA. Extensive investigations in cooperation Avith the Department of Agriculture were carried on by the South Dakota station during the past season. The whole number of samples analyzed at the South Dakota station was 337. For convenience of classification they are grouped according to the different regions in the State, and by counties in tlie regions as is shown in the following table: BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. Ill Averages ty counties and regions, [From report of Jas. H. Shepard, Chemist of Experiment Station.] Region and county. BIG STONE LAKE HEQION. Eoberts County. Grant County... Eegion averages UPPER SIOUX EIVER REGION. Codington County . Deuel County Kingsbury County . Moody County Lake County Brookings County . Minnetialia County Region averages LOWER SIOUX RIVER REGION. Lincoln County Turner County Hutchinson County . Bonhomme County.. Clay County Yankton County Union County jion averages CENTRAL JAMES RIVER EEGION. Miner County... Sanborn County. Davison County McCook County. Region averages UPPER JAMES EIVER REGION. Marshall County Brown County McPherson County Edmunds County... Day County Clark County Spink County Beadle County Faulk County Hyde County Hand County Number of samples. Region averages UPPER MISSOURI RIVER RE- GION. Campbell County . Walworth County. Potter County Sully County Hughes' County ... Region averages . CENTRAL MISSOURI RIVER RE- GION. Jerauld County Butfalo County Brule County ' Aurora County Douglas County Charles Mix County. Region averages. Tons per acre. 24.6 16.4 20.5 15.7 8.5 23.1 14.1 16.6 19.8 20.2 16.9 16.4 18.2 19.5 17.5 30.5 19.7 19.3 20.2 21.5 14.2 30.1 22.5 Per cent stand. Average Sugar in Purity co- weight, beets. efficient. Grains. 387 397 Per cent. 15.3 13.9 393 I 473 423 359 431 424 455 423 12.9 14.5 14.0 14.2 13.8 13.4 15.2 427 14.0 22.1 15.1 26.3 17.7 14.5 22.8 19.1 33.6 12.8 14.3 11.8 18.8 12.3 16.6 17.2 12.5 8.3 13.4 11.0 44.0 17.2 14.7 16.8 23.9 21. 3 67 90 61 100 75 00 75 75 77 95 50 90 402 437 333 449 470 498 388 15.0 14.5 19.5 15.4 14.7 14.6 15.2 15.6 329 373 470 423 14.5 15.5 14.8 15.0 399 14.9 322 364 314 349 367 351 362 475 304 488 259 360 427 389 409 525 399 290 379 375 394 286 394 336 13.7 13.3 18.3 15.1 13.9 13.9 15. 5 14.5 18.0 14.6 16.8 15.2 17.7 14.9 15.9 14.3 14.8 15.5 15.3 16.] 16.2 16.6 16.4 14.8 15.9 88.0 87.5 85.1 89.2 86.2 87.8 81.2 86.7 86.1 86.0 Ash in the juice. 0.85 .90 .87 .60 1.00 1.15 1.09 .88 1.08 84.8 85.1 88.4 87.2 66.2 86.0 84.6 87.4 86.4 89.0 5.9 85.6 81.7 85.3 84.3 88.3 87.2 89.1 80.8 89.5 84.7 81.4 1.17 1.12 1.20 .99 1.15 1.03 .81 2.06 .92 .91 1.03 1.23 .76 1.06 .73 1.18 .91 1.08 1.09 1.06 1.28 1.00 1.27 85.8 84.8 88.0 86.7 85.3 84.5 84.3 82. 4 80.7 87.8 83.2 84.8 1.04 1.20 1.11 1.12 1.12 1.09 1.13 1.28 1.17 1.38 1.10 .99 1.25 1.19 112 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. Averages by counties and regions — Continued. Kegion and comity. Number of samples. Tons per acre. Per cent stand. Average weight. Sugar in beets. Purity co- efficient. Ash in the juice. WHITE BIVER BEGION. I 1 1 4.5.0 33.0 Grams. 421 445 263 Per cent. 14.9 14.3 16.4 83.1 82.0 80.8 90 100 1.07 1.22 39.0 100 370 15.2 82.0 1.06 BLACK HILLS REGION. 10 5 1 4 16.1 9.5 10.0 15.4 75 79 80 90 401 330 67 325 16.8 16.4 14.8 15.9 82.1 82.7 78.0 83,7 1.19 1.48 .47 Fall River County 1.35 12.8 81 281 16.0 81.6 1.12 BUTTE EEGION. 4 4 35 78 343 471 20.7 10.5 86.0 89.4 1.30 33.8 1.18 33.8 57 407 18.6 87.7 1.24 21.9 77 383 15.5 85.6 1.09 From ail inspection of tlie above data it is seen that the results of the exijeriments conducted by the station are quite encouraging. The mean average weight of the beets analyzed was a little below the normal, 383 grams, equivalent to 13.5 ounces. The mean content of sugar in the beets was 15.5 per cent, and the mean purity coefficient 85.6. The data for yield per acre are probably unreliable, as many reports of tonnage are given which are evidently erroneous, as, for instance, in Presho County, where a yield of 45 tons i)er acre is reported, and in Pratt County, 33 tons per acre, a quantity of beets which is not to be expected under the most favorable circumstances of growth. In so far as producing a crop of beets rich in sugar is concerned, the conditions in South Dakota seem to be extremely favorable. Attention, however, should be called to former statements that the farmers of tliis State will have to contend with the great difiTiculty of an early and sudden coming of winter. If, therefore, the industry shoukl secure a hold, this will be tlie most imi>or- tant point in the agricultural part of the work to be considered, namely, the harvesting and j)reserving of the crop for manufacturing purposes. The high purity coefficients which obtain in South Dakota are especially encouraging. There is no other State which has equaled South Dakota ill the purity of the juices of the beets. There is abundant reason found in the data published above to encourage the agricultural exper- iment station of the State to continue its work of investigation, and to attract the favorable attention of intending investors. Texas. The northwestern portion of Texas reaches an altitude where the thermal conditions become more favorable to beet production. It is not to be expected that the southern and western portions of the State will ever be seriously considered for this purpose. BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 113 Eleveu samj)les were received from Texas at the ]>epartment of Agriculture laboratory, having au average weight of 22 ounces, a mean content of sugar in the beets of 12.G per cent, and a mean purity of 76.5. All the counties represented were in the northern and western portions of the State except McLennan, which is in the center. There is reason to believe that on the high i)lateaus in the northwestern portion of the State, where irrigation is possible, the culture of the sugar beet might be introduced with considerable j^rospects of success. A few analyses were made by the agricultural experiment station of Texas, and these are given below : REVIEW OF THE V.OItIv DONE BY THE AGKICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION OF TEXAS. All of the seeds that wo received for distributiou in this State during the past season came to hand too late for proper planting in a State so far south as Texas. For this reason the dry season jn-evented a fair growth of the beets at an important period in their development, and the crops waited for the fall rains to develop size. These fall rains were accomijanied by a small per cent of sunshine, resulting in a low sugar content. These conclusions are based upon the fact that where beets wore planted late and irrigated, the sugar content was higher than when samples were grown by late fall rains and then seut us for analysis. Of course the extreme west- ern portion of the State produced beets of high sugar content. Results of experiments in Texas. Name antl address of persons from whom beets were re- ceived. K. B. Edgell, Clarendon, Don- ley County, Tex. D. \V. Ruckaton, Silverton, Briscoe County, Tex. Do Do Do It. L. Goble, Garrett, Ellis County, Tex. L. H. Carpenter, Silverton, Briscoe Countj', Tex. Do Do Do F. E. Davis, Dublin, Erath County, Tex. C. W. Griffin, Toyahvale, Eeeves County, Tex. Do Section of State. Panhandle tl do -do, .do .do, Black Land Belt 0" Panhandle "D do do do Central North i Pecos Region n do Labora- tory number. (*) 16.8 15.5 17.0 14.0 13.2 13.5 15.2 13.5 11.0 11.3 12.55 16.5 15.0 21.1 Sucrose. 9.69 11.02 6.89 7.98 7.79 6.27 5.04 5.46 7.07 9.69 9.5 Purity CO eflScieut. 70. C8 02.5 64.82 49.19 60.91 57.7 41.8 36.9 45.7 48.34 56.04 58.7 63.3 Weight. Lbs. ozs. 1 10 2 6 2 10 3 11 1 11 * 4 beets, 1 sample. tKed. Tennessee. Seventeen samples of beets were received at the laboratory of the Department of Agriculture from Tennessee, of which eight were from the agricultural experiment station at KnoxviUe. The mean weight of the beets received was 11 ounces, the mean liercentage of sugar 10.8, and the mean purity 71.9. The mountainous regions of Tennessee are probably favorably situated in regard to thermal conditions for the H. Doc. 396 8 114 BEET-SUGAK INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. growing of beets, but the contour of the country will prevent any exten- sive planting of this crop. Middle and western Tennessee are evi dently too warm for successful beet culture. Virginia. Thirty-four samples grown in the State of Virginia were received at the Department of Agriculture for examination. The mean weight of the beets composing these samples was 21 ounces, the mean content of sugar in the beets 11.6 i^er cent, and the mean purity 76.2. Virginia lies almost entirely south of the region where thermal con- ditions are most favorable to beet culture. It is only in the seacoast counties, where the temperature is moderated by the sea breezes, and in the mountainous counties, where the altitude is great enough to lower the temperature, that good results can be expected. A great deal of interest has been manifested in the State in regard to the build- ing of factories, but it is evident that intending investors as well as farmers should stop to consider the matter very seriously before investing their money and their labor in this enterprise. A few analyses received from Virginia show favorable results, as for instance, the sample from Carroll County, weighing 15 ounces, and containing 15.4 per cent of sugar in the beet. There is little in the data, however, to encourage the belief that Virginia is a favorable region for beet growing. Investigations were also made by the agricultural experiment sta- tion of Virginia, but only to a very limited extent. The data obtained on analysis, together with the observations of the official in charge of the investigations, are found in the following report: INVESTIGATIONS BY THE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION OF VIRGINIA. Before statiixg the results of the analyses made at this station I tliiuk it best to make some comments upon the work attempted this season. In the first place, it was ([uite late before w(5'concluded to undertake the distribution of seeds and then by the time they reached us from the Department of Agriculture the season was so far advanced that a considerable number of persons to whom the seeds were distributed failed to plant them. This, of course, disturbed the experiment to a considerable extent. Another disturbing factor was the extreme drought which prevailed during the latter part of the season over this State in general, which resulted in many cases in practically destroying the crop. As a cousequenco, our results are not what we could wish. After much correspondence with those to whom seed was distributed, we concluded to analyze only samples representing fairly well the tide- water and limestone sections of the State. The results of these analyses follow : Sample No. 1. From W. J. Phillips, Accomac County, Va. Weight of whole beet, 372 grams. Per cent of sugar, 16.11. Sample No. 2. From Henry Jones, Suffolk, Nansemond County, Va. Weight of whole beet, 1,325 grams. Per cent of sugar, 4.17. Sample No. 3. From L. T. Barnes, Boulevard, New Kent County, Va. AA'eight of Avhoh^ beet, 5S1 grams. Per cent of sugar, 11.64. Sample No. 4. From T. A. Eller, Atkins, Smyth County, Va. Weight of whole beet, 760 grams. Per cent of sugar, 9.61. BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 115 Sample No. 5. From experimeut station. Weight of whole heet, 584 grams. Ter cent of sugar, 13.63. The first three samples represent the eastern section of the State and the last two the limestone section. We endeavored to secure sixteen samples covering more perfectly the geologic areas of the State, but from the causes above mentioned we failed to procure proper samples. Dr. McBryde desires mo to say that if the Department wishes us to aid in the con- duct of this vrork the coming year we will be pleased to do so, and that the work will be taken in hand in proper season and the growing experiments arranged on a much hotter plan, so as to secure reliable samples from the different sections of the State. Experiments in the growth of beets in Virginia during 1897 were also made by the State board of agriculture, and are described on page 206 of the annual report of the board for the year 1897. One hundred and eight samples were analyzed during September and October. It is stated in this report that these samples varied in saccharine strength from 8.5 to 17.1 per cent; thirty-five of them were below 12 per cent, and seventy- three showed a saccharine value of from 12 to 17.1 per cent, with a coefficient of purity of from 79 to 88.5, or a saccharine average of 11.7 per cent, and an average purity coefiicient of 85, which is equivalent to 250 pounds of raw sugar per ton of beets. The data obtained by the State board of agriculture are more favor- able than those secured by the Department of Agriculture or by the exjieriment station at Blacksburg. It is hardly probable, however, that the map which accompanies the report of the State board of agri- culture will be regarded ar a final judgment in regard to the localities in Virginia suitable to the growth of beets of the different qualities noted. A much larger series of experiments, extending over a greater number of years, will be necessary t-y definitely determine that i)oint. Washington. Thirty-four samples of beetr. grown in the State of Washington were received at the Department of Agriculture for analysis. The mean weight of the beets received was 27 ounces, the mean ])ercentage of sugar 13.7, and the mean purity coefficient 80.7. The agricultural experiment station of the State of Washington for many years has conducted careful studies in regard to the possibilities of producing sugar in that State. During the i)ast year 60 samples of beets grown in Washington were analyzed at the laboratory of the agricultural experiment station. The mean weight of the beets analyzed was 23 ounces, the mean j)ercentage of sugar in the beets 13.6, and the mean coeflQcient of j)urity 75.7. Of the whole number 68 j)er cent contained over 12 i)er cent of sugar, and 78 per cent weighed more than 16 ounces. The reports of the director and chemist of the station are given below. 116 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTEY IN THE UNITED STATES. Summary of analyses of beets from Washington. [Ciimpileil from report of experiment station.] Comity. Num- ber of sam- ples. Net weight beets. Sugar in beets. Coeffi- cient of purity. County. Num- ber of sam- ples. Net weight beets. Sa-ar ^oeffi- ^'?S cient in f ^««*«- purity. 1 7 20 2 8 4 3 Ounces. 29 25 17 22 33 27 25 Per ct. 14.3 12.0 15.8 12.3 12.5 13.5 11.8 77.7 73.7 79.2 70.9 72.9 75.6 80.4 King 10 1 2 Ounces. 15 54 46 Perct. 12.1 i 71.4 Claflam Whitman Klickitat Averages, etc. 14.3 1 77.4 14. 2 76. 3 2 26 12.4 1 74.5 ' San Juan Whatcom 60 23 13.6 75.7 1 RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTS IN WASHINGTON. I have the honor to report as follows : The appointmeut vras made so late in the summer that it served only the purpose of providing for the free transportation of beets to this point for analysis, conse- quently the report must necessarily deal with facts of an earlier date chiefly, if it is to he of any value as au indication of the adaptability of the soil and climate of the State of "Washington to tlie culture of sugar beets. Permit me to say that we regarded our experimentation as practically complete before the beginning of this year. In consequence of this fact it had been announced early in the season that no distribution of seed would be made. At a later period some seed was obtained from the Department of Agriculture. The planting season in Washington begins very early considering the latitude, and the seed was received too late for general use. Seed was, however, supplied to those requesting it, and in the main these requests were from localities not so well adapted to the culture of sugar beets, so that the results of this year's planting can in no way be taken as representative. The Washington State Experiment St.ation began the investigation of this prob- lem through its chemical department in the spring of 1894, and conducted it with the greatest thoroughness through that and the two succeeding seasons, making more than 3,000 analyses. Beets were raised in both small and large plats. The results were so uniform as to demonstrate the peculiar adaptability of this region to the culture of sugar beets. These results are given in Bulletins 15 and 26 of the State experiment station. I submit herewith the report of Professor Fulmer, of the department of chemistry, relative to the results of this year. I might mention the fact that Professor Fulmer was for some time chemist of a beet-sugar factory in Nebraska, and is particularly well fitted for dealing with this subject. The results thus far obtained in the State show a percentage of sugar of about 15, and a purity of nearly 81. Pullman, Wash., January 6, 1S98. Dkar Sir: In compliance with your request I hand you herewith a tabulated statement of the analyses made in the station laboratory of beets grown from seed furnished by the United States Department of Agriculture. The data presented are far from being complete. The very important item of "variety of seed "' is entirely omitted, because in almost all cases the variety indicated by the grower of the beets was not at all in harmony with the characteristics exhibited by the samples. For example, beets with pink skins were often marked " Kleinwanzlebener," which is a pure white variety. It is quite clear to my mind that the lack of harmony between the character of the beets and the names they bore was due to the seed sent out by the Government being a mixed seed. BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 117 Parties sending in beets for analysis failed in most cases to stnd any data concern- ing the time of planting, thinning, and harvesting; character of soil; amount of cultivation, etc. On account of this great lack of reliable data, the meager results obtained are of little value. I wish to direct your attention to the fact that this kind of experimental work with sugar beets in our State is at this time a useless expenditure of time and energy. During the past foiir years this station has made over 3,000 analyses of sugar beets grown in all parts of the State, and under all conditions of temperature and rainfall. The details of these analyses, and of the field experiments, have been published in full in Bulletins 15 and 26. The raising of high-grade beets in this .State has been fully demonstrated to be a practical success, and we believe any further experimen- tation with small plats is wholly unnecessary. The uniformly excellent results that we have obtained in the past are in striking contrast to the very poor outcome of this year's test. We believe the low sugar content and purity exhibited by the beets this year is due to several causes: (1) The seed from Washington was received altogether too late in the spring for distribution in time for early planting. In most sections of the State the seed should be planted not later than the middle of April. (2) Nearly all of the samples were grown in sections of the State that have not heretofore shown any special adaptability to sugar-beet culture. (3) We believe the seed was of poor quality. In support of this assertion I wish to call your attention to the samples that were raised at Crescent," in Lincoln County. Heretofore this section has always produced high-grade beets. The samples sent in by William Adam, P. Carstens, and the first two of W. B. Warren were grown from Government seed, and gave a very low sugar content and purit}\ The samples of WoUweber, and the last three of Warren, were grown from seed raised at Crescent last year, and gave most excellent results. These facts and the very general poor quality of samples leads me to regard the seed furnished as an inferior quality. The inclosed results do not do justice to our State, and I wish to protest against their publication as an index of the character of beets that can be raised here. Yours, very respectfully, Elton Fulmer, Chemist Experiment Station. Director E. A. Bryan, Pullman^ Wash. In regard to the report of the chemist, attention should be called to the fact that he is evidently mistaken in regard to the quality of the seed sent by the Department of Agriculture. This seed was, of course, not of the direct production from high-grade mother beets, but was the ordinary commercial seed which was imported by the Oxnard Com- pany for distribution among their beet growers. It was the same seed which was sent to Michigan and to ISTew York, which produced in those States the excellent results which have been recorded in previous portions of this report. In over 2,200 analyses of beets which were made in this laboratory during the past reason, oidy about 25 samples were received which had a pink skin, and in most cases these were marked with diiferent names. It is possible, however, that a few seeds of this kind may have been mixed in with the large lot of commercial seeds which were imported into this country. The Department of Agriculture neither purchased nor packed the seeds which were dis- 118 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. tributed, so that the possible admixture of other varieties can not be positively denied. With the exception of the excessive rainfall on some of the coast areas, it has been demonstrated that the State of Washington is well suited to the growth of beets of a high grade. An extended report on the possibilities of Oregon and Washington for beet production was made in Bulletin No. 5 of this Division, the investigations, which were published in 1885, having been made in the autumn of 1884. A descrii)- tion of the topographical features and climate of western Washington is given on pages 103-104 of that bulletin. The conclusions whicii I derived from a study of the conditions at the time are given on page 105 in the following words : " lu view of the preceding description I am inclined to Lelie^'e tbat in Washington Territory and Oregon, soil and climate are very favorable to the growth of a sugar beet of high saccharine strength. " The mildness of the winter is, though to a less degree than in California, favorable to the season of manufacture. With a wise and careful encouragement of the industry I have no hesitation in saying that the prospects for the development of an indigenous sugar industry in the extreme northwestern part of our country are decidedly bright. It is a field worthy the attention both of experimenters and capitalists." Investigations whicli have been made subsequent to this period liave abundantly verified the predictions given above. The chemist of the station, in the results of his work for 1897, says that the data are not so favorable as were obtained in preceding investigations, but, as he says, the beets analyzed came from parts of the State less favorable to beet culture than did those samples which had previously been examined. The data obtained by analyses of beets received at the Department from Oregon are decidedly favorable. The average size of the beets, 27 ounces, shows the possibilities of a large yield, while both the con- tent of sugar and the purity coefficient are favorable to the production of large quantities of sugar from the beets produced. The thermal conditions which prevail in Washington are noticed in another place. The coast region is cooler than the mean temperature of 69° for the summer months, but, as has been remarked before in more than one place, this is not unfavorable to the production of high-grade beets j on the contrary, rather promotive of it. The mild autumns, especially in the western part of the State, afford ample opportunity for the complete harvest and care of the beets. In considering the data which have been obtained through a long series of years, therefore, it is safe to say that there are extensive areas in the St^te of Washington which invite the careful consideration of intending investors in the beet- sugar industry. BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 119 Wisconsin. Forty-two samples of beets were received at the laboratory of the Department from Wisconsin, of which number 31 were grown in Dane County, representing the beets grown by the agricultural exiDeriment station. It is evident, that the mean results of the samples from Wis- consin are influenced in a marked degree by those obtained from the agricultural experiment station. These loean results therefore repre- sent a higher quality of beets than would have been grown in the ])romiscuous manner already referred to. The mean weight of the beets grown in Wisconsin was 15 ounces, the mean content of sugar therein was 15.8 per cent, and the mean purity 83.3. The small mean size of the beets is due chiefly to the 31 samples received from the agricultural experiment station, of which the average weight was only 11 ounces. With the exception of 1 sample from Outagamie County, which weighed only 8 ounces, the other samples were of good size. Especially is this true of the 3 samples received from Kacine County, the mean weight of which was 34 ounces, the mean content of sugar 15.4 per cent, and the mean purity 82.6. The data obtained by our analyses are encouraging, but, on account of the small number of samples, not convincing. Therefore the fol- lowing report of the results of the analyses made at the agricultural experiment station will show more conclusively the influence of the character of the soil and climate of Wisconsin on the quality of sugar beets. EXPERIMENTS CONDUCTED BY THE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION OF WISCONSIN. Three classes of experiments were conducted by the agricultural experiment station of Wisconsin during the year 1897. An elaborate report of these experiments has already been printed as Bulletin No. 64 of that station. The following interesting summaries rej)resent the principal data obtained: The three methods were the following : F'hst method. — A general distribution of seed was made promiscu- ously to farmers in the State who desired to experiment. In all, 13,766 packages were distributed. Each i)ackage contained directions for planting and cultivating the beet. One thousand six hundred and sixty- three samples of beets grown under these auspices were received at tlie station for analysis. The quality of the beets, together with the ;uialyses of beets grown in 1890, 1891, 1892, and 1897, with a summary lor the four years, is shown in the table on page 120. 120 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. Jiesnltn of analyses of sugar beets grown on Wisconsm farms duriug 1S90-1S93 and 1S97. — Averages hy counties. County. Adnms Ashland Barron Bayfield Brown Buffalo Burnett Calumet Chippewa . . . Clark Columbia Crawford Dane Dodge Door Douglas Dunn Eau Claire. . . Fond du Lac. Forest Grant Green Green Lake.. Iowa Iron Jackson Jefferson Juneau Kenosha Kewaunee ... La Crosse Lafayette Langlade Lincoln Manitowoc . . Marathon Marinetto . . . Marquette . . . Milwaukee . . Monroe Oconto Oneida Outagamie . . . Ozaukee Pepin Pierce Polk Portage Price Racine Kichland Rock St. Croix Sauk Sawyer Shawano Sheboygan . . Taylor 1890-1892. P.ct 11.99 12.74 10.75 13.48 16.67 12.72 14.15 12.28 10.09 12.98 11.77 14.59 12.49 11.70 12.13 9.64 10.24 12.84 11.31 11.32 h-2 .-fe 5 P.ct. 76.1 77.0 74.9 77.4 82.6 77.5 81.4 74.7 72.0 76.7 76.2 80.0 79.8 76.0 74.1 72.5 69.3 77.5 78.1 74.9 7.79 43.96 I 13.04 12.71 13.58 12.58 12.27 12.91 17.43 12.61 12.67 8.77 15.51 12.32 13.76 11.48 13.14 14.71 11.09 12.02 14.27 11.34 12.96 12.55 9.67 10.69 12.53 11.71 13.61 65.6 79.0 76.0 78.1 77.1 76.1 77.0 81.4 85.9 80.4 76.5 64.5 Tons 9.3 17.7 17.9 15.9 14.7 23.6 10.9 15.5 15.3 14.4 20.7 21.4 11.5 14.0 11.0 6.0 13.2 15.2 27.8 17.5 25.3 21.8 35.1 15.2 26.4 24.1 13.1 16.4 16.1 28.5 83.4 ! 19.8 76.2 80.7 12.3 13.5 75. 2 23. 6 79. 20. 7 79.1 11.9 75.4 ' 75. 1 12. 5 80.6 79.6 76.7 74.7 71.5 73.8 76.3 74.3 78.9 10.5 12.9 11.4 19.9 23.8 20.1 16.9 16.8 8.8 1897. 6 5 15 1 101 P.ct. 13.67 11.42 12.94 10.96 13.12 12,96 12.92 12.61 12.18 11.97 12.68 12.00 13.51 12. 86 15.11 13.92 12.97 10.70 12.04 11.31 12.21 10.16 12.00 10.40 9.90 11.57 13.55 12.34 14.31 13.38 12.75 10.47 11.51 13.09 13.42 11.99 13.23 13.19 14.17 12.36 15.48 13.78 13.06 14.00 11.82 12.58 11.90 13.12 10.43 13. 75 10.61 13.97 12.11 12.78 13.35 12.96 10.87 be p. ct. 75.5 74.2 74.3 73.5 75.5 75.3 75,0 72.4 74.2 74.9 71.8 72.3 71.3 71.9 77.4 78.8 73.7 73.8 71.2 70.2 71.2 65.5 72.9 70.2 64.7 77.4 72.8 72.9 74.2 75.4 80.6 66.3 70.8 75.9 74.9 72.3 76.6 77.7 77.7 73.1 79.6 75.5 75.4 75.7 73.7 73.2 72.6 73.2 67.2 75.3 68.7 73.5 72.2 72.4 *r- Summ.nry for four years. .a Pi ai Tons. 10.2 3.0 12.0 16.5 14.0 11.2 18.0 11.8 11.7 11.7 13.4 9.7 12.7 12.5 10.0 10.7 12.6 11.0 16.6 15.0 13.0 14.0 11.5 12.0 15.5 10.6 15. 6.2 15.0 14.2 12.5 9.4 11.0 4.5 14.4 12.4 9.5 8.0 15.2 11.4 17.4 16.0 11.1 23.5 15.0 17.3 8.3 11.0 14.3 15.3 15.1 13.3 13.0 75. 8. 2 78.0 1 15.1 70.6 13. C 9 5 18 1 105 17 2 56 47 68 49 6 58 60 18 8 39 73 48 2 35 10 14 8 1 65 36 15 14 104 70 lu 10 10 65 53 29 15 20 40 23 4 77 22 9 12 6 41 7 21 24 53 26 31 1 35 82 25 P.ct. 13.11 11.42 12.90 10.96 13.03 13.24 12.92 13.19 12. 25 12! 19 12.53 10.76 13.37 12.62 15.02 13.92 12.86 10.84 12.07 10.47 11.74 11.77 12.01 11.20 9.96 11.51 13.81 12.63 14.19 13.44 12.72 11.19 11.59 14.39 13.22 12.10 12.92 13.19 14.57 12.34 14.56 13.78 12. 77 13.81 13.43 12.56 11.76 12.91 10.4;) 13.85 10.88 13.64 12.24 11.98 10.69 13.19 12.55 12.52 ■£s 75.9 74.2 74.7 73.5 75.5 76.4 75.0 73.8 75.2 75.6 72.9 72.1 72.6 73.0 77.7 78.8 75.6 74.1 71.7 71.3 70.5 72.7 73.2 74.3 64.7 77.2 76.8 74.1 74.5 75.8 79.9 70.6 72.1 78.9 76.3 73.0 75.7 77.7 79.4 74.3 80.2 75.5 75.3 76.5 76.6 73.2 73.0 73. C 67.2 76.3 72.8 74.5 73.0 72.2 73.8 75.3 76.8 75.5 -2 p. Tons. 9.8 3.0 14.1 16.5 14.3 13.0 18.0 12.1 15.1 11.6 14.2 13.1 13.2 13.8 13.0 16.7 12.2 11.5 15.1 10.5 13.0 15.0 11.5 22.5 15.5 10.6 16.5 13.2 15.7 16.8 13.0 10.0 12.0 10.9 14.8 12.9 10.9 8.0 18.4 11.8 15.1 16.6 13.0 17.7 15.0 17.3 9.3 11.0 13.9 14.4 14.0 15.3 14.8 26.1 10.4 15.6 11.0 It will be noticed tliat the table includes the analyses of 527 samples collected during the years 1890-91-92, together with the 1,G63 collected in 1897, or a total of 2,190 samples. In the discussion of the analytical data Mr. F. \Y. Woll, who has compiled the report, makes the follow- ing interesting observations : Sixty-eight of tho counties of the State arc represented in the sii.nar-beet analyses made during the past season. Brown county leads with 101 samples of beets, BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 121 Kewaunee being second, witli 74 samples. Ten counties furnished 50 or more sam- ples eacli. The highest average for the sugar in the juice, 11 samples analyzed, was obtained for Oconto County, namely, 15.48 per cent with a purity coefficient of 79.6, followed by Door County, which gave 15.11 per cent sugar in the juice, purity 77.4, as the average of 15 samples. The average sugar content of the juice of the beets was above 12 per cent in case of 49 counties, above 13 per cent in case of 26 counties, and above 14 per cent in case of 8 counties. AdajHahility of different paris of iJie State to sugar-beet culture. — A close study of the results given in the preceding tables will be of interest, and is necessary in order to properly understand the situation of the question of sugar-beet culture in our State. The table indicates what an investigation continued through four growing seasons has revealed as to the adaptability of the soil in different parts of the State to the culture of this crop. In case of a few counties, especially the extreme northern ones, the number of analyses made is not sufficiently large to warrant our drawing definite conclusions as to the quality of beets there grown, but in the large majority of counties the number of analyses is ample to be considered, a true representation of what beets grown in the respective counties will show when raised by farmers who have no special knowledge of the requirements of the sugar beet as to culture, soil, etc. If the averages of the sugar contents for the various counties, as given in the last table, be marked on a Wisconsin map, and the counties whose averages come, say, above 13 and above 14 jier cent of sugar in the juice be shaded, it will at once be noticed that the counties producing the richest beets are those lying east and south- east of the Wisconsin River, and those in the northwestern corner of the State along the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers, from Buffalo County and north. The Lake Shore region is shown to be peculiarly well adapted to the culture of sugar beets; all counties producing beets with an average content of sugar in the juice above 14 per cent in the past season's analyses border on Lake Michigan or are adjacent to counties bordering on this lake. Mr. Woll is also of tlie opinion that those soils of tlie State which have been derived from limestone are best suited to the growth of sugar beets. He makes the following comment in regard to the sugar content of the beets : Sugar content of beets. — The table shows that the average per cents of sugar in the juice for the years given were as follows: 1890-1892, 12.76 per cent; 1897, 12.67 per cent, or an average of 12.70 per cent for the years 1890-1897, the last figure being the mean of nearly 2,200 analyses. The usual minimum standard for beets adapted to factory purposes is 12 per cent sugar in the beet. Since beets contain about 95 per cent of juice, this will correspond to r,j = 12.63 per cent of sugar in tlie juice. Our average therefore exceeds this minimum figure by a small fraction of 1 per cent. The influence of the character of the soil upon the weight, sugar con- tent, and i)urity of the beets is summarized by Mr. Woll in the following statements : In the sections of our State where exclusive grain raising has given way to diver- sified farming, dairying, stock raising, or market gardening, the land is usually in a good state of fertility, and a sufficient amount of barnyard manure is produced every year so that no artificial fertilizers need be purchased. But where grain rais- ing is still continued as the sole reliance of the farmers, there is no hope for sugar- beet culture until the system of farming is changed, and the manure produced by the stock kept is carefully saved and applied, or commercial fertilizers are purchased for the beet fields. 122 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. Second method. — The second liue of investigations conducted by tlie experiment station consisted in the establishment of substations in dif- ferent parts of the State. As was mentioned in a previous part of this report, this is by far the most hopeful manner of conducting an agri- cultural survey of the State for the purpose of determining its suita- bility for the growth of sugar beets. In all, 33 iarmers who took charge of this substation work made comi)lete reports to the central station. The average expense per acre reported by 32 of these was $28.73. One report, shov/iiig an expense of $94.34 per acre, was excluded from the average. The average yield per acre, as reported from the 33 stations, was 29,850 pounds, or 14.9 tons of 2,000 pounds each per acre. This yield includes only 27 returns, since 6 of the substations failed to return the yield per acre. The lowest yield per acre reported was (3 tons, and the highest 24.8 tons. The average result of the analyses of the sam- ples from the different substations is shown in the following table: Average for 23 substations in southern half of state (30 and 31 samples, re- spectively) Average for 13 substations in iiortberu half of State (17 and 15 samples, re- spectively) Average for 36 substations (47 and 46 samples, respectively) Weight of beets. Pounds. 1.17 1.42 1.26 Sugar in juice. Per cent. 13.58 13.35 13.49 Purity co- efficient. Per cent. 80.0 81.7 80.6 Weight of beets. Poundg. 1.79 1.59 1.72 Sugar in juice. Per cent. 15.35 14.97 15.22 Purity co- ethcient. Per cent. 79.0 82.5 80.2 For the first attempt at collecting data by a complete agricultural survey, the above results may be regarded as exceedingly encouraging. With larger experience on the part of the farmers in charge of the experiments, however, much more valuable and convincing data might be obtained. Third method. — The third class of experiments conducted by the Wisconsin station consisted in investigations at the station farm itself. For the details of these experiments Bulletin 64 may be consulted. The following is a summary: The field selected for the experiments was divided into two portions. The eastern half had been a meadow continuously since it came into cultivation up to 1895, when rape was grown thereon, followed by a crop of peas in 1890. The western half of the field had been plowed only once during the past twenty years, when it was cultivated in Indian corn. It had been pastured during the past ten years until 1896, when it was planted to rape and the rape eaten off by sheep. The beet crop did not do well on this field, the whole northwestern portion of it, after the 1st of August, showing no increase in the growth of the beets, the foliage turning yellow and the plants dying away to a large extent. Tlie field was plowed 6 inches deep on May 7, and plowed again 12 inches deep on May 20. About four-fifths of it BEET-SUGAE INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 123 was subsoiled to a depth of 6 incites. The agricultural analytical data obtained from this field are given in the following table: Yield ofheets and of sugar pe?' acre, main field. Name of seed. Kleinwan^lobener, Neb Desprez, Men Klein wanzlebener, Agnew . . Kleinwanzlebener, Hoerning Vilmorin Improved Vilmoriu Kleinwanzlebener. Vilmorin French Kleinwanzlebener, rioto * . . Desprez White, No. 2 * Desprez White, No. 2 B * . . . Wernich's Kleinw., Floto*. . Demesmay " Kleinwanzlebener, Neb. (2) * Averages, etc 30, 121 Eastern half. Yield of beets from plat. Pounds 3,422 2,826 3,053 2,875 2,221 2,473 2,485 2, 258 2,081 2,108 2,111 1,321 Yield of beets per acre. Pounds. 24, 010 22, OGO 21, 450 20, 160 15, 610 17, 380 17, 460 15, 800 14, 620 ]4, 810 14, 840 15, 510 20, 760 18, 043 Sugar in the beet. Per ct. 12.72 11.71 10.96 15.04 14.68 10.65 11.26 14.24 10.95 15.05 15.65 14.23 15.83 Sugar per acre. Poiinds 3,059 2,543 2,352 3,038 2,291 1,850 1,966 2,259 1,602 2,228 2,320 2,207 3,287 13.22 2,385 Western half. Yield ofheets from plat. Founds. 2,874 3,122 2,301 1,299 1, 308 2,728 2, 701 1,472 1,429 1,408 1,236 799 355 23, 032 Yield of beets per acre Pounds. 25, 030 30, 230 32, 120 20, 210 15, 030 23, 770 23. 540 12, 820 12,460 12, 270 10, 760 11, 600 10, 300 18,472 Sugar in the beet. Per ct, 15.80 13.71 15.17 17.06 14.28 14.98 13.58 14.05 14. .38 11.71 13.62 10,28 10.75 14.18 Sugar per Pounds. 3,959 4,144 4, 87;{ 8, 448 2,141 3,561 3,196 1,801 1,790 1,436 1,467 1,192 1,058 2,620 * Not included in average for western half. Tiie cost of cultivating this field is given as follows: Cost of growing an acre of sugar heels. — A careful account was kept throngliout the season of the labor douo on the 3-acre beet field; valuing labor as previously given, we have the following summary : Plowing and preparing the laud $12. 42 Planting 1.70 Cultivating, hoeing, thinning and transplanting 51. 63 Harvesting and placing in cellar 31. 60 Total 97.35 This sum, $97.35, or $32.45 per acre, does not include the cost of seed or rent of land. It is nearly $4 higher than the corresponding figure obtained as the average for 28 substations ; the greater cost with us is easily accounted for by the weedy condition of the western half of the field, as well as by the fact that the harvesting of our beets was a comparatively slow and difficult job, since the different lots and varieties had to be harvested and kept separately. Ill addition to the work summarized above the station took part in the growth of high-grade beets on special plats under the supervision of the Department. The results of these experiments are given in another place. Wyoming. Thirty-four samples of beets grown in Wyoming were received at the Department of Agriculture for analysis. The mean weight of the beets received was 19 ounces, the mean content of sugar in the beet 17.2 per cent, and the mean purity 82.3. These data are exceptionally fine, and sbow that, in so far as the production of a crop is concerned, Wyoming will be able to compete with any State in the Union. The thermal conditions which prevail in the State are extremely irregular, the low valleys having warm and the high plateaus cool summers. It 124 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. is evident that only on the plateaus, where the laud is reasonably level, and where irrigation can be practiced, will it be possible to grow, with absolute certainty, a crop of beets of high saccharine strength. Among the counties of Wyoming the two which furnish the most data are Converse and Big Horn. Converse County lies in the southeastern part of the State and Big Horn in the northwestern. In the beets from Converse County the average weight was 26 ounces, the mean content of sugar 17.8 per cent, and the inean coefficient of purity, 82.2. Big Horn County furnished six samples, of which the average weigiit was 20 ounces, the mean content of sugar 18.7 per cent, and the mean coefficient of purity 82.2. When these analyses were made, showing such fine results, we wrote at once to the parties to see if we could not get a quantity of the beets for mothers in producing beet seed. The reply was made that they had all been frozen, and therefore no samples could be furnished. This reply to our inquiry indicates the chief difficulty to be encountered in Wyoming in introducing the beet industry, namely, the sudden advent of cold weather and the severity of the early winters in that locality. In Big Horn County some of the altitudes are 10,000 feet, and the whole county has a very great elevation. In the southeastern portion of the State the altitude generally reaches 7,000 feet. It is evident, therefore, that these high elevations give cool summers and favor the early advent of winter. Another point to be considered is the mountainous character of the State, which, of course, precludes the possibility of culture over exten- sive areas. In low valleys protected by mountain ranges, if from 15,000 to 25,000 acres of land in a body could be secured, it seems proba- ble that the industry of beet growing might be introduced with every probability of success. The temperature conditions, however, of Octo- ber and November should be most carefully considered, as it would doubtless be necessary, even in the most favored valleys of Wyoming, to have the beets securely protected by the middle or end of November. This short harvesting season can not help but add a great deal to the cost of production, and hence must be taken into consideration. In that part of the country also the question of the supply of water is a very important factor, and must not be lost sight of, as not only will water be required for the growing of crops, but also in immense quantities for manufacture. The data at hand only permit us to study the comi)osition of the beet itself, and surely Wyoming is to be. congratulated on having produced, judged from the limited number of samples supplied, an excellent quality of beets. Vermont. Oul}^ 8 samples of beets from Vermont were received at the Depart- ment of Agriculture, and these Avere of very high quality. The mean weight of the samples received was 22 ounces, the mean content of sugar in the beet 14.2 per cent, and the mean coefficient of purity, 84.1. . BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 125 At tlie agricultural experiment station of Vermont 32 samj)les were received. The average weight of the beets received at the experiment station was 17 ounces, the mean percentage of sugar in the beet 1C.3, and the mean purity 84.2. In reporting the results of the experiments the director of the station makes the following observations : RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTS IN VERMONT. One hundred persons guaranteed at the outset of the season to grow the crop and ship us samples. We had returns from twenty-seven. The remaining seventy-three, however, were not so much at fault as was the Weather Bureau. The weather throughout the State during the months of May, June, and July and the iirat part of August was execrable, there being several times the normal rainfall. In almost every case of not sending samples the report was that the crop was drowned out. It strikes me as somewhat doubtful whether the results obtained in the twenty- seven cases reported are truly representative of what might be expected under normal conditions of weather. The jjercentages of sugar certainly run quite high. I find that several of the growers sent their samples to Washington. I should be gratified, if it were possible, to receive the statement of the analyses, as we may wish to make some use of the sugar-beet data ourselves, which, as I iinder- stand, we are at liberty to do. The majority of those who made a failure of the work this year expressed their desire to try again next year. Of 32 beets analyzed at the agricultural experiment station of Ver- mont the number containing from 12 to 14 per cent of sugar was 2 • the number containing from 12 to 14 per cent of sugar and weighing 16 ounces or over was 1 ; the number containing more than 14 per cent of sugar was 28 ; the number containing more than 14 j)er cent of sugar and weighing 16 ounces or more was 12. It is seen from the above data that the only limitations upon the growing of beets in Vermont are the extent of the area suitable to the culture of the beets and the length of the growing season. It is evi- dent, in so far as growth is concerned, that such a season as that of 1897 is capable of producing beets of the highest grade, but the growing season includes properly the season of harvest and preservation of the beets. The high northern latitude of Vermont and the early and severe winters must be taken into consideration in this particular. Vermont is also a mountainous country, and the areas of level land are not proportionately so great as in most of the States which have been considered for beet growing. Where bodies of from 15,000 to 25,000 acres of level and fertile land can be found with the autumnal condi- tions favorable for the harvest and preservation of the beets, tkere is no reason to doubt the possibility of successfully establishing the beet- sugar industry. INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE ON THE QUALITY OF SUGAR BEETS. The influence of temperature and other climatic conditions upon the growth of beets is discussed under the head of special experiments in growing beets from high-grade seeds. It will be interesting, however, to compare the deductions from that discussion with those from data 126 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. obtaiued from certain parts of the country where favorable conditions exist for making this comparison. The States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois are situated in a peculiarly favorable manner for a study of this kind. Each of these States has a portion of its area in the theoretical thermal belt and a large portion of its area outside of that belt. In each of these States, therefore, the data received from the various counties were classified into three portions, namely, the northern, the central, and the southern belts. The following is a tabulation of the data from each one of these sections in the three States : Relation of latitude to development of sugar content. Northern belt. Central belt. Southern belt. Average weigh t"of beets. Sugar in beets. Purity coeffi- cient. Average weight of beets. Sugar in beets. Purity coeffi- cient. Average weight of beets. Sugar in beets. Purity coeffi- cient. Ohio Ounces. 29.4 18.9 22.0 Per ct. 13.6 13.3 13.2 79.4 81.9 79.3 Ounces. 32.6 18.5 20.0 Per ct. 13.2 12.9 11.5 78.0 80.7 75.4 Ounces. 35.0 14.2 19.0 Per ct. 12.2 10.7 11.1 75.3 78.0 74.7 The data in the above table have a peculiar value in establishing, by experimental results, the validity of the scheme employed in the construction of the theoretical thermal belt suitable to the growing of beets. In every one of the States mentioned there is a gradual deteri- oration in the quality of the beet, both as respects its sugar content and its purity, in ])assing from the northern to the southern belt of the State. It may be said that the difference between the two extreme areas is not very great, and that for this reason it would be advis- able to establish factories indiscriminately in one or the other of the belts, according to more or less favorable local conditions, aside from the sugar content of the beet. The ftillacy of this statement, however, will be evident to anyone who studies carefully the conditions of manu- facture. An increase of 1 per cent in the sugar content of the beet means an increase of 20 pounds per ton in the amount of sugar manu- factured, without any corresponding increase in the expense of manufac- ture. In other words, the cost of extracting the sugar from a ton of beets which would yield 180 pounds would be just as great as that attending a ton of beets which would yield 200 pounds of sugar. But the additional value of the 20 pounds of sugar manufactured might in many instances determine whether the business would be con- ducted at a profit or a loss. The above assumi)tion is true on the supposition that the coeflScient of i^urity remains the same in each case. When we consider in addition to the loss of the sugar, the deprecia- tion in the purity of the juice, the discrei^ancy between the sections becomes all the greater. Not only is the loss attending the lower sugar content of the beet to be considered, but also the additional loss BEET SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 127 which is coupled with the lower purity. In other words, a ton of beets with a coefficient of purity of 80, which would yield 200 pounds of sugar by the ordinary processes of manufacture, would yield very much less than this if the purity coefficient should fall to 76, and would yield very much more if it should rise to 85. The data obtained in the above table aftbrd convincing- proof of the fact that it is not safe to push the manufacture of beet sugar too far south of the theoretical thermal belt-, unless the depreciation in the sugar content and jmrity of the beet is compensated for by some remarkable local factors, in the way of cheapness of manufacture, which will make good the loss due to the low content of sugar and the low purity of the juice. These figures, obtained in tliis miscellaneous way, are fully corroborated by the care- ful experimental data obtained in the culture of high-grade beets at the six stations which are mentioned in another place. From exactly the same seeds, planted in exactly the same way and cultivated in the same manner, exceptionally high-grade beets of fine sugar content and high purity were obtained from the ISTew York station, good beets were grown at the Wisconsin station, fairly good beets at the Iowa station, beets with a fairly good content of sugar but diminutive in size on account of the drought at the Indiana station, beets of good size and very low content of sugar at the Kentucky station, beets of only mini- mum content of sugar and very small size at the Tennessee station. These results are such as should be studied carefully by intending investors who desire to place their money where the certainty of return is the greatest. With such magnificent areas open to cultivation as are found in the States of New York, northwestern Pennsylvania, northern Ohio, northern Indiana, and southern Michigan, it would not be wise for men of capital to select localities which the figures at hand indicate are less favorable to the production of high-grade beets. The data which have been obtained from ISTew York and from Michigan indicate that with the best i^rinciples of culture, with good fertilization and skilled oversight, beets can be grown over wide areas fully equal in sugar-pro- ducing power to those which are grown by the skilled farmers of Ger- many. On the other hand, it is qiiite certain that if the area of culture be pushed to the south, so as to fall entirely without the limits of the thermal belt, the same fertility of soil, the same fertilization, and the same care in culture will produce beets less rich in sugar, with a lower purity, and yielding less sugar per ton than those grown in the locali- ties first mentioned. As to how far the successful growth of the sugar-beet industry can be iDUshed north of the limit of 69°, it may be said that the only con- dition to be considered in this matter is the possibility of producing and ripening a crop and harvesting it before the rigors of winter set in. The culture of the sugar beet may be very successfully practiced in localities where the mean summer temperature falls even as low as 64P, 128 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. provided the latitude is far euougli north to get sufficient sunshine to mature the beets before the frosts of autumn. If tlie uutumn be mikl and merge gradually into winter, the limit of successful culture will be found where the freezing weather of winter cuts short the time required for the harvesting and siloing of the crop of beets. In the light of the data at present available, therefore, the southern limit of the sugar-beet belt may be regarded as the isotherm of 71° for the three summer months, occasionally pushing 50, 75, or even more miles south of this line, where exceptional conditions of soil and manufacturing facilities are presented. The facts of the case, however, warrant the statement that the safer plan will be not to push south of the isotherm of 71° so long as equally favorable conditions of soil and manufacture are obtainable north of this line of demarcation. It is deemed wise to dwell particularly ui^on this subject, because of the fact that so many people living south of the isotherm of 71° are vitally interested in this matter and so eager to have the industry established in the neighbor- hoods in which they live. The conclusions which have been drawn are not meant to discourage experimental work in areas widely remote from those mentioned. It is only just, however, to call attention to the fact that investments of large amounts of capital which result disastrously do more to deter the successful establishment of an industry than a much larger number of successful investments favor it. For instance, in the State of Wisconsin we have an illustration of the financial failure of an attempt to manufacture beet sugar, and as a result of this fail- ure it will be difficult to induce capital to look for investment in Wisconsin in the sugar-bret industry, although the conditions in that State are exceedingly favorable to success. Had it not been for the failure of the factory projected at Menominee Falls, it is quite certain that other capital would be invested in the State at the ijresent time, and instead of the industry being in a stagnant condition it would be advancing on the road toward success. It is extremely important that no mistakes be made from a financial point of view, and that every precaution to avoid these mistakes be observed. When subsequent experimentation shall have demonstrated that there are areas outside, and especially south of the theoretical belt, equally as well suited to the growth of beets sufficiently rich in sugar as those which have been mentioned, it will be time enough to ask capital to seek investment in those localities. SUGAR BEETS AS CATTLE FOOD. Thousands of farmers in various parts of the country are growing- beets in an experimental way and have no opportunity to dispose of their product to sugar factories. These farmers may, nevertheless, find the growing of small quantities of sugar beets profitable by using the product for cattle food. Following is an anpiysis lately made in BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 129 this laboratory of a sample of sugar beets received from a locality such as is mentioued above: Composition of fresh hcet ptilp. Moisture Fiber (crude) Ash Etlier extract (fat) Proteids Sugar and other carbohydrates Fresh pulp. lOU. 00 Dry matter. Per cent. Per cent. 73.87 1.53 5.89 1.35 5.18 .11 .42 2.21 8.47 20.93 80.04 100. 00 The sample iii question coutained 73.87 per cent of water and 26.13 per ceut of dry matter. The analyses of hundreds of samples of beets in this laboratorj^ show tliat the average content of fiber, usually called "marc," is about 5 per cent. In the process of analysis all this marc is dissolved except that which is entered above as crude fiber, namely, 1.53 per cent. The difference between this and the 5 per cent average content of marc, namely, 3.47 per cent, shows the quantity of carbohy- drate matter not sugar contained in the 20.93 per cent of total sugars and carbohydrates. The quantity of sugar in the sample analyzed was, therefore, 17.40 per cent. Practically all, however, of the carbo- hydrates, except those represented by the crude fiber, are digestible, so that the soluble marc has practically the same food value as the sugar itself. The ratio of the proteid matter to the digestible carbohydrates plus fat multiplied by 2|^, is 9.59. This ratio shows that the food is particularly a fattening one, and could be used to great advantage in preparing fat stock for market. The analysis also indicates that the food, to secure the best results for all round sustenance, should be fed with some highly nitrogenous ration in order to secure a smaller ratio between the two groups of nutrients. It may be said with perfect con- fidence that it will be far more profitable for the farmer to grow sugar beets at 12 tons per acre for cattle food than other root crops, such as turnips and rutabagas, which will yield double that quantity per acre. The food value of these crops does not depend upon the gross tonnage, but ui)oii the actual nutrients which they contain. Sugar beets contain, as is seen, over 20 per cent of their weight of actual nutrients, while turnips and radishes may contain only from G to 12 per cent. USE OF BEET PULPS FOR CATTLE FOOD. The residue from beet factories, in the form of the beet pulp, is also a valuable cattle food. In this country no carefully controlled feed- ing experiments have been conducted with this material, but the question has been studied most thoroughly in Europe, and the data obtained can be used for our guidance. There is practically no dif- ference in chemical composition between the beet pulps obtained in H, Doc. 396 9 130 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. Europe and in this country, so that the deductions to be drawn from the feeding exi^eriments in that country can be applied with perfect safety to similar work here. At many of the factories in this country practi- cal feeding tests have been made, and with favorable results. Having- heard that successful experiments in feeding cattle and sheep had been conducted at the factory of the Pecos Valley Beet Sugar Com- pany, I addressed a letter to the manager of that factory, and received the following reply: Eddy, N. Mex., February 21, 189S. Dear Sir: I have your letter of tlie 14th. Shortly before the close of our cam- paign, Mr. A. J. Crawford, a large sheop owner of this section, looked into the (luestion of feeding beet pulp to sheeji, and finally decided to try a bunch of 500 lambs as an experiment. These lambs Avere the culls of his tiock, and when brought to the feeding pens at the factory were in Aery poor condition. In a few days they took to the pulp very readily, and are now eating 7 to 10 pounds of pulp per day each, with siifficient hay (alfalfa) as roughening. They have picked up wonder- fully during the time they have been here, and Mr. Crawford tells me that they are now the best looking of any he has. He is so well satisfied Avith the result of his experiment that about a week ago he brought in 2,000 ewes with the intention of feeding them on the pulp during the lambing season. You, of course, arc aware that the pulp is a great milk jiroducer, and by feeding it Mr. Crawford Avill be able to carry both ewes and lambs through in good shape until the grass comes, and, of course, thereby prcA'ent the loss which he would otherwise have to stand of the many ewes and lambs Avhich would die on the range. When the lambing season is over and Ave see hoAv the sheep come through I shall be glad to write you fully. Mr. CraAvford is anxious to make a contract for all our next year's pulj), and I have no doubt that the feeding of sheep on pulp in this valley Avill become quite an industry. Yours, truly, A. S. Goetz, General Manager. Mr. H. W. Wiley, Division of Chemistry, Washington, D. C. It is evident from the above that these iiractical experiments in feed- ing, although not controlled by actual chemical analyses, have been eminently successful, and it is not at all unlikely that within a few years our beet factories will be able to contract in advance for all the pulp which they can possibly produce. To illustrate more clearly the value of the pulp and its value for feeding purposes, the following extracts, taken from standard European authorities, are published: DIFFUSION PULPS OR EXHAUSTED COSSETTES. The following table contains an average of analyses made by Messrs. Vivien, Lucas, JJuviu, Durot, and Dupont as a commission of experts in France: Moisture Nitrofit^iioiis iiiattcr. . . .. Difiestiblc cai'ljohydratfs .. Iiidigestiblo carboliydnitos rat ' Mineral matter Solid matter Fresh pulp. Dry material. Per cent. Fer cent. 89.09 .itli 8.43 G. 5'2 59.76 1.98 18.15 .09 .83 1.40 12.83 100. 00 100. 00 10. 91 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 131 FEEDING EXPERIMENTS WITH BEET PULP. Exteusive tests in feeding x^ulps liave been made at the Francieres sugar house of M. Gallois. The following animals were used: (1) Beef cattle, (2) oxen, (3) milch cows, (4) sheej), (5) ewes. Before begin uing the tests, these animals were all gradually accustomed to the change from their customary ration to that of diffusion pulp. (a) Beef cattle. — Twelve beeves each received every day, in three meals, 52.20 kilograms (115 lbs.) of diffusion pulps, mixed with 3 kilo- grams of linseed oil cake and 3 kilograms (G.6 lbs.) of chopped alfalfa. Their weight increased an average of 1.004 kilos (2.214 lbs.) per day. If we consider the value of the meat as 0.95 franc ($0.19), that of the oil cake 0.25 franc ($0.05), and that of the alfalfa 0.08 franc ($0,010) per kilogram (2.2 lbs.), we find that the feeding value of the diffusion pulp was 0.58 francs ($1,310) per 1,000 kilograms (2,205 lbs.). {!)) Oxen. — Four oxen each received the following ration i^er day: 57.5 kilograms (120.8 lbs.) of diffusion pulp mixed with 5 kilograms (12 lbs.) of alfalfa and 1 kilogram (2.2 lbs.) of linseed-oil cake. These cat- tle decreased somewhat in weight in the first fifteen days, and did less than the usual amount of work, but in the second fifteen days they had entirely recovered. The trial continued two and a half months. In making a calculation analagous to that above, the value of the diffu- sion pulp was 4.78 francs ($0,950) per 1,000 kilograms (2,205 lbs.). (c) Milch cows. — The test with milch cows lasted thirty days. Two cows were employed — one Flemish and the other Dutch. Before the tests the cattle were fed on dry alfalfa with a small quantity of beet pulps i^roduced by the hydraulic-press method. The cows were each given, per day, 45 kilograms (99.2 lbs.) of diflusion pulp with 2 kilo- grams (4.4 lbs.) of alfalfa. The tests demonstrated that the diffusion pull) is more advantageous as regards lactation than in the ijroduction of fiesh. Coivs fed on diffusion pulps. Cream per 100 cc. of Date. April27 8.00 7.00 May 1 7.50 8.00 May 12 7. 50 8. 00 May 19 7.50 8.00 From these tests it was shown that the milk of the cows fed from difl'usion pulp contained an average of 7.08 per cent of cream. The butter produced from this milk did not have the peculiar disagreeable odor which is present in that from cows fed on j^ress pulps. 132 BEET -SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. (d) Sheep. — In this test twenty raeriuo sbeep were fed on diffusion pulp. The following table shows the result of this test and the rations fed per animal : Weight: Kilos. April4 948 =2,085.6 pounds. April26 1,008 =2,217.6 pouuds. Total increase 60 = 132.0 pounds. Increase per sbeep per day 0.137= .3 pounds. Average rations per head : Pulp 5.4 = 11.88pounds. Linseed-oilcake .2 = .44 pounds. Chopped alfalfa .5 = 1. 10 pounds. " It was not necessary to make other additions to the diffusion pulp, since the sheep ate it with avidity. With the aid of these figures we may calculate the value of the pulp as follows : The sheep gained per day 0.137 kilogram (.3 lb.) in meat, which at 1 franc ($0.20) per kilo (2.2 lbs.) equals 0.137 franc ($0,027). They con- sumed a ration, exclusive of the pulp, costing 0.09 franc, therefore the value of the 5.4 kilos (11.9 lbs.) of diffusion pulp was 0.047 ($0.01), or 8.70 francs ($1.74) per 1,000 kilograms (2,205 lbs.). Experiments made with ewes. — The ewes were obtained from a flock from which the lambs had just been separated. In feeding the ewes, to which a somewhat larger ration was given, the value of the pulp was found to be 6.03 francs ($1,206) per 1,000 kilograms (2,205 lbs.). Taking all of these elements into account, the experts estimated defi- nitely the value of 1,000 kilograms (2,205 lbs.) of diffusion pulp to be 5.55 francs ($1.11). They also demonstrated that diffusion pulps keep perfectly. Not taking into account questions of transportation, etc., the value of diffusion pulp was estimated at 6.10 francs ($1.22) per 1,000 kilo- grams (2,205 lbs.). Basing a conclusion upon the chemical analysis of the pulp, a value of 6.44 francs ($1,288) was obtained, as compared with the 6.10 francs ($1.22) per 1,000 kilograms (2,205 lbs.) given by experiments. EXrERIMENTS BY ANDOUARD AND DEZAUNAI. (Sucrerie Beige, Vol. 12, No. 7.) In tests in feeding diffusion pulp to milch cows this pulp was given in a ration, first of 27 kilograms (59.5 lbs.) and later 55 kilograms (121.3 lbs.) per day, and produced immediately an increase of approximately 32 per cent in the yield of milk. It appeared, however, to be without influence on the richness of the milk in casein and mineral matter, but produced an increase in the yield of butter of 12.4 per cent, and in that of the sugar of 24.63 per cent over the previous proportions of these > constituents. It, however, gave the milk a less agreeable taste and a BEET-SUGAE INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 133 certain predisposition to an acid fermentation. The bntter, therefore, would probably not be of excellent quality. Analyses of diffusion pulps hef or & ensilage.* Constituents. Water Dry matter Ash Fat Crude fiber Crude protein Nitrogeu-free extract Maercker. Kiibn. Per cent. Per cent. 89.77 88.9 10.23 11.1 .58 .9 .05 ,1 2.39 2.5 .89 .9 6.32 6.7 Diffusion pulps after having been stored in the silos.* Constituents. Maercker. Ktihn. TVater , Per cent. 88.52 11.48 1.09 .11 2.80 1.07 6.41 Per cent. 87.5 Dry matter 12.5 Ash .9 Fat .1 3.0 1.2 7.3 * Sachs' Revue Universelle des Progrfes de la Fabrication du Sucre, 1, 428. Analysis of diffusion pulps, by Pellet. Constituents. Pressed pulp. Dry ma- terial. Water Per cent. 88.06 .84 7.30 2.46 .06 .43 .85 Per cent. 7.04 61.14 20.60 Fat .50 Soluble mineral matter 3.00 Insoluble miueral matter - 7.12 100. 00 11.94 100. 00 Maercker (Sucrerie Beige, vol. 11, page 464) determined that siloed pulps, in addition to losing water, also lost a considerable portion of their dry matter. This is shown in the following statement of the analysis of pulps which were siloed for five months, in which time they lost the following percentages : Thirty-seven and eight-tenths of nitrogen free extract, 25.5 of nitrog- enous matter and 29.6 of the fiber which they contained: The pulps gained, on the contrary, in fat, owing to the lactic and butyric fermen- tations. The losses were due to decomposition, and not to entrainment in the moisture lost. 134 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. Analyses of diffusion puJj), hy Vicien.* Constituents. Digestible proteins (nitrogen X 6.25) Indigestilile proteida (amid nitrogen X 9) Nitrate of potassium Digestible carbohydrates Cellulose and indigestible carbohydrates . Fat Sugar Assimilable mineral matter Indigestible mineral matter Water Pressed Dry ma- pulp. terial Per cent. re) cent 0.64 7.73 .04 .48 .05 .60 4.07 49.15 1.92 23.19 .05 .60 .54 C.52 .35 4.23 .61 7.37 91.72 .... Analyses of diffusion pulp, hy Pellet. Constituents. Pressed pulp. Drj' ma- terial. Water Organic matter Soluble inorganiii matter ... Insoluble inorganic matter . Per cent. Per cent. Acidity (expressed as acetic acid) Total nitrogen Insoluble nitrogen (at the boiling point of water) 88.88 9.95 89.50 .57 5.13 .60 5.40 100. 00 100. 00 1.01 9.08 .147 1.32 .111 * Sachs' Revue TJniverselle des Progres de la Fabrication du sucre, 1, 429. The pulps diminished in weight in the silos, the diffusion pulps losing 6 per cent per month. At the same time there was a diminution in the weight of the dry matter, approximately 1 per cent of the diffusion pulp. It is evident from the above data that the value of the pulp from beet- sugar factories, especially in thickly settled countries and in those regions where the dairy interests are prominent, will jjrove of no incon- siderable advantage in the successful introduction of the beet sugar industry and its rapid advancement. Beet pulps form a wholesome and nutritious, though a somewhat poorly balanced ration. Their chief nutriment is found in the carbohydrates, composing the marc of the beet and including the unextracted sugar, and in the proteid nitrog- enous matters, and a large percentage of these is easily digested. AVhile beet pulp is not suitable for the entire food of the animal, it can be made a principal part thereof, varying its proportions with the nature of the effect desired to be produced. Experience has shown that it is especially relished by dairy cattle, produces an abundant supply of milk, and where proj^erly preserved and fed, it can be used in great abundance without imparting to the milk, butter, or cheese any unpleasant flavor. SUMMARY OF DATA COLLECTED IN PREVIOUS YEARS. In order to present data covering as wide a field as possible, and including the experiments of several seasons, the following table has BEET -SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 135 been compiled from tlie reports of the Division of Chemistry and from the bulletins of the various State experiment stations: Analyses of smjar beets grown in various States. [A compilation of the analytical data ohtained at the various State experiment stations for the years 1888 to 1897, inclusive, and at the United States Department of Agriculture for the years 1884 to 18'J7, inclusive.] Analyses by the United States De- partment of Agriculture. Analyses by the State ment stations. experi- State. Tear. Num- ber of sam- ples. Aver- Sugar age in weight, beet. Purity coeffi- cient. Num- ber of sam- ples. Aver- age weight. Sugar in beet. Purity coeffi- cient. 1893 1891 1897 Ounces Per ct. 5.9 66.7 56.9 70.4 Ounces. Perct. 2 7 51 23 7.7 9.3 157 «8. 1 61.8 9 2 3 2 29 ! 9. 40 6.4 12 1 9.4 18 1 11.3 67.4 58.8 64.7 71.5 157 ^^= 8.1 61 8 1891 1892 1897 7 71 22 1 9.1 65.0 188-t 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 189:i 1894 1895 1896 1897 19 rr== 13.7 85.3 5 14 18 io' 17 10.7 12.1 10.7 613.0 614.0 614.0 6 15. 6 15.0 614.0 77 7 4 8 4 13 48 14 14.7 11.1 14.7 84.6 7.5.8 77.6 73.0 [ 1 1 1 26 j ie. 8 88 21 1 13.6 85.3 37 18 11.2 9.9 10.2 11.0 * 13. 5 *13.8 75 1 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1897 Colorado 37 73 4 16 25' 29 51 170 18 174 20 26 18 17 20 12.5 13.1 14.8 13.2 13.6 76. i 76.1 81.7 74.9 76.7 83.0 79.3 80.6 12 14.3 79.7 442 2 5 20 1 13.9 78.4 142 25 11.5 8'' 1 1890 1891 14 27 9.7 10.8 76.1 77.3 Average 7 2 23 12 10.5 11.1 77.0 64.9 Georgia 1891 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 189G 1897 ==^ =^= Idaho 1 1 2 2 4 15 34 78 8.0 12.7 14.7 10.2 68.3 74.9 79.1 76.2 192 342 60 41 13.7 15.2 14.2 15.2 76 1 77 3 7 21 15.5 79.4 87.6 13 30 13.8 77.6 635 14.6 80.2 * The sign * indicates tliat the number given is 0.95X per cent of sugar reported since it was doubt- ful whether the per cent of suj,'ar was expressed in terms of the weight of the juice or that of the beet, though ])robably the former. a Aiialy.sea of Kleinwanzlebenor only show: 32 samples, sugar 11.8, purity 73.6. 6 From report made on the total crop by the Chino Valley Boot Sugar Company. 136 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. Analyses of sugar heels grown in various States — Continued. Analyses by the TJnited States De- partment of Agriculture. Analy ses by the State experi- ment stations. Stato. Year. Num- ber of sam- ples. Aver- age weight. Sugar in beet. Purity coeffi- cient. Num- ber of sam- ples. Aver- age weight. Sugar in beet. Purity coeffi- cient. 1890 1891 1892 1897 8 36 59 32 Ounces. 31 32 15 17 Peret 10.3 11.7 10.9 13.1 72.1 76.4 75.2 75.5 Ounces. Per ct. 312 20 11.9 76.4 135 21 11.6 75.4 312 5 10 26 131 95 49 81 205 20 7' a 20 12 12 25 18 11.9 76.4 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1897 12.2 11.9 9.1 12.0 11.1 11.8 11.8 12.0 56 77 57 4 23 27 14 10 10.7 11.6 11.2 10.7 72.7 76.9 72.5 73.1 ""78.'8 76.8 79.3 78.8 103 14 13.1 78.9 80.7 297 19 11.9 11.6 75.9 605 17 11.7 79.2 1891 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1891 1897 1 27 76.9 4 12 34 503 404 563 150 642 17 34 33 16 21 19 19 19 11.9 9.9 10.7 12.1 11.6 11.9 11.5 12.4 76.5 64.9 30 321 30 7 22 30 24 17 11.8 11.8 10.9 12.8 74.5 75.7 76.2 75.8 71.4 74.0 72.9 76.1 74.9 130 18 13.3 73.7 76.6 518 26 12.1 75.2 2,312 7 10 183 115 22 158 19 12.0 75.0 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1897 3i' 19 21 21 17 8.9 7.9 9.6 10.2 10.1 11.9 69.7 22 36 22 1 41 32 33 25 27' 8.3 10.7 11.1 14.3 11.4 69.3 68.2 74.2 72.8 73.8 ""'ih'.h 73.4 71.8 77.0 122 29 10.6 71.4 501 19 10.4 73.4 1891 1892 1897 3 4 6 34 13 16 9.1 8.9 11.9 63.7 77.2 71.5 13 19 10.3 72.2 1893 1890 1891 1897 3 12 8.9 68.3 83 2 29 15 16 19 12.2 7.4 11.4 79.3 68.5 79.1 5 10 12.2 79.7 114 16 11.9 79.1 5 10 6 6 10 12.2 79.7 1889 1890 1891 17' 17 12.2 13.4 13.4 6 16 12.0 82.8 &77.1 78.1 6 16 12.0 82.8 22 6 17 cl9 12.8 12.6 77.6 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1897 30 50 71 88 450 31 32 19 15 22 12.0 12.6 14.1 13.3 14.7 78.4 78.0 83.4 82.1 81.1 229 13.3 86.2 465 27 16 4 84.0 689 22 14.2 81.1 700 27 15.5 84.7 a Average weight of 71 samples. 6 Purity of but 1 sample. e Average weight of 2 samples. BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 137 Analyses of sugar heets groivn in various States — Continued. Analyses by the United States De- partment of Agriculture. Analyses by the State experi- ment stations. State. Tear. Num- ber of sam- ples. Aver- age weight. Sugar in beet. Purity coeffi- cient. Kum- berof sam- ples. Aver- age weight. Sugar in beet. Purity coeffi- cient. 1890 1891 1892 1893 1897 107 41 22 7 49 Ounces. 30 29 29 60 24 Per ct. 11.8 12.4 12.2 10.8 11.0 75.2 75.7 78.1 70.8 79.2 55 467 180 Ounces. a 23 17 Per ct. *12.3 *13.0 14.3 76.5 79.7 85. 5 143 17 13.1 81.8 226 2 67 13 324 29 ■ 21 20 33 20 11.7 8.4 10.4 8.1 11.7 76.3 66.7 62.4 63.4 73.5 845 19 13.2 13.4 9.3 81.1 1890 1891 1892 1897 . 5 59 17 28 67.3 304 26 10.6 71.0 400 20 25 22 15 20 11.4 13.2 10.9 14.3 14.4 71.6 368 26 10.4 70.4 1891 1892 1893 1897 35 6 2 4 76.8 72.8 75.0 77.8 70 23 14.7 77.0 47 24 13.1 76.3 70 23 14.7 77.0 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1895 1897 9 159 462 218 98 (c) 637 106 46 17 i>23 17 12.7 10.3 *12. 3 12.8 9.8 11.3 12.1 11.7 54.5 269 62 27 8 20 35 21 17 11.8 11.7 14.2 10.1 71.9 75.3 79.3 69.7 73.9 77.9 72.4 77.0 76.9 13 29 12.9 76.9 75.0 379 18 81 23 11 13 12.0 73.1 1,689 22 11.9 12.5 14.8 13.6 73.7 1891 1892 1893 18W 1895 1896 1897 17.2 15.9 88.0 83.4 222 221 61 25 18 20 76.9 80.8 80.8 176 13.1 d77.8 21 18 18.3 81.4 10 19 18.9 120 14 16.5 83.7 680 21 13.6 78.7 1891 1891 1893 1897 1 19 11.6 80.0 1 17 7.3 70.8 8 11.7 76.2 31 16 14.2 81.4 32 16 14.0 81.1 8 11.7 76.2 1891 1892 1897 17 29 3 28 19 13 13.8 15.3 17.2 74.8 83.2 82.0 3 219 26' *17.0 13.2 :::::::: 49 22 14.9 80.2 222 26 13.3 ■ * The sign * indicates that the number given is 0.95 X per iient of sugar reported since it was doubt- ful whether the per cent of sugar was expressed in terms of the weight of the juice or that of the beet, though probably the former. a Average weight of 229 samples. h Average weight of 88 samples. c Analyses reported by the Standard Cattle Company. d Averages for 1893 to 1896, inclusive. 138 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATER. Analgses of mi gar heets grown in various States — Continued. Analyses by the United States De- partment of Agriculture. Analy ses by the State experi- ment stations. State. Tear. Num- ber of sam- ples. Aver- age weight. Sugar in beet. Purity coeffi- cient. Num- ber of sam- ples. Aver- age weight. Sugar in beet. Purity coeffi- cient. 1889 1H90 1891 1892 1893 1897 Ounces. Per ct. 6 Ounces. Per ct. 9.9 10 4 8 15 32 22 12.1 11.6 15.4 78.0 76.8 85.9 29 562 38 a 16 12.9 15.9 225 21 15.0 82.4 83.2 247 21 14.8 82.2 591 20 15.7 83.2 1892 1893 1897 4 4 9.0 4.1 9.1 73.4 52.1 75.3 7 23 11 16 9.1 74.6 1890 1891 1892 1893 1897 24 n 11 2 4 25 23 24 27 28 13.4 11.8 12.9 14.0 10.5 71.2 73.2 76.5 80.7 81.2 9 129 29' 13.8 10.9 73.9 52 25 12.8 73.9 138 29 11.1 73.9 1890 1891 1892 1897 Ohio 15 66 102 68 26 31 17 22 9.8 11.3 14.2 13.8 76.0 73.5 80.2 79.1 24 9.8 554 31 13.3 78.7 251 23 13.1 77.9 578 31 13.2 78.7 1891 1897 1 1 48 10 6.4 11.8 53.3 72.5 21 11.4 65.3 2 29 9.1 62.9 21 11.4 65.3 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 189G 2 35 12 20 34 19 15.1 12.7 14.2 73.4 81.1 80.2 37 98 65 626 22 27 11.2 12.6 14.4 78.4 82.7 23 14.3 C89.8 49 30 13.2 80.6 223 24 13.1 81.3 1890 1891 1802 1893 1897 10 7 8 1 59 27 22 13 is' 8.0 13.3 10.8 11.0 13.8 73.8 78.7 75.8 78.9 79.5 85 19 12.8 78.4 74.2 1897 1892 1893 rthodn Island 2 21 11.9 3 15 71 19 15 23 5.8 4.9 5.9 !J4.7 1894 1K97 13 17 9.9 79.9 13 17 9.9 79.9 89 22 5.7 54.7 a Average weight of 137 samples. b Average weight of 2 samples. Averages for 1893 to 1896, inclusive. BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 139 Analynes of sugar heets grown in various Siates — Coutinued. Analyses by the United States De- partment of Agriculture. Analj'ses by the State ment stations. Bxperi- State. Tear. Num- ber of sam- ples. Aver- age weight. Sugar in beet. Purity coeffi- cient. Num^- ber oY sam- ples. Aver- age weight. Sugar in beet. Purity coeffi- cient. 1889 1890 1891 1892 1897 Ounces. Per ct. 17 58 1,264 680 337 Ounces. 25' 19 14 Per ct. 9.1 14.2 11.9 14.2 15.0 21 202 67 5 20 ■ 22 20 17 13. i 12.5 13.1 15.1 78.6 75.3 75.5 83.2 74.7 73.3 80.7 85.6 295 5 1 21 20 10 12.7 8.8 9.4 75.7 65.8 72.4 2,356 22 13.1 77.3 1891 1892 1894 1897 22 8 22 4 9.5 12.0 75.1 17 11 10.8 71.9 23 13 10.3 70.6 30 17 10.2 75.1 1890 1891 1897 2 10 11 38 23 22 10.0 10.3 12.6 69.3 69.1 76.5 14 34 8.0 56.3 23 24 11.4 72.7 14 34 8.0 56.3 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 XJtah 21 43 27' 15.3 ft] 1.0 -12.5 all. 6 al2. 7 (113.5 «13.9 86.1 80.0 82.2 79.5 80.2 81.5 81.8 35 20 14.3 81.1 35 20 14.3 81.1 64 27 17 13.4 16.3 83.5 1897 1890 1891 1892 1893 1897 8 22 14.2 84.1 32 84.2 20 72 13 14 34 153 15 21 12 16 21 10.8 11.1 12.0 13.3 11.6 74.0 76.0 79.0 83.9 76.2 5 621 11.6 19 11.4 76.8 ,5 21 11.6 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1 11 31 183 16 18 18 28 15.2 14.5 14.5 12.3 84.2 83.9 76.8 74.0 "i,'666 521 211 60 25 17 6 23 *13.5 16.2 13.4 13.6 82.0 87.9 80.9 34 27 13.7 80.7 75.7 260 26 12.8 75.7 2,458 22 14.1 83.4 1892 1897 12 14 14 19 11.3 15.4 68.5 80.4 26 17 13.5 74.9 - * The sign * indic.ites that the number given is 0.95 X per cent of sugar reported since it was doubt- ful whether the per cent of sugar was expressed in terms of the weight of the juice or that of the beet, though probably the former. a Ileport made on total crop by Utah Sug.ar Company, 1891-1896. h Average weight (net) estimated from average gross weight. 140 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. Analyses of sugar heels grown in various States — Continued. Analyses by the United States De- partment of Agriculture. Analyse-s by the State experi- ment statiou.s. State. Tear Num- ber of sam- ples. Aver- age weight. Sugar in beet. Purity coeffi- cient. Num- ber of sam- ples. Aver- age weight. Sugar in beet. Purity coeffi- cient. 1890 1891 1892 1897 10 432 21 42 Ounces. 21 26 22 15 Per ct. 12.8 11.1 12.7 15.8 81.3 75.8 77.8 83.3 94 373 61 1,663 Ounces. 35 32 26 Per ct. 11.7 11.9 15.2 12.1 76.3 76.2 81.6 74.1 505 5 18 6 48 34 25 11.4 76.6 2,191 32 12.1 74.7 1890 1891 1892 1893 1897 26 12 8 19 19 15.1 13.5 15.2 15.9 17.2 78.8 78.1 85.2 80.5 82.3 55 71 33 11 14 15.4 15.9 16.2 77.8 78.7 80.9 111 18 15.8 80.8 159 13 15.8 78.8 NOTES ON PRECEDING TABLE. Ill a few instances analyses reported to the stations by sugar comi:)a- uies or organizations designed for the promotion of the sugar industry have been included. It is noticeable that in many States but few analyses have been made. In view of this fact, it is well to be cautious in accepting the results of these few analyses as being representative of the beets grown in the State. The reports from the State of California are especially incomplete. Most of the analyses reported are from data obtained in the laboratory of the Chino Valley Beet Sugar Company. In view of the fact that Cali- fornia has several very large and very successful factories, we do not regard the data included here of great value in judging of the State as a producer of high-grade sugar beets. We have data of factory averages obtained in California representing in some cases more than 100,000 tons of beets, showing that the State produces beets of very high sugar content. Factory averages have been reported this year higher than 15 per cent of sugar in the beets. It will be noticed that in most instances the results obtained by the Department of Agri- culture corroborate those obtained in the stations. A notable exception to this is in the tabulation of the results obtained with beets grown in the State of Washington. The Department of Agriculture, however, has only made about one-tenth as many analyses of Washington beets as the station. The average of the results of the large number of Washington beets analyzed shows that this State is destined to be a large producer of sugar. In many cases the averages are based on very incomplete data, and therefore must not be considered strictly representative of all the results included. In figuring the general averages each annual average is weighted in proportion to the number of samples it represents. BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 141 INVESTIGATIONS IN SEED PRODUCTION. The second line of experiments carried on by the Department of Agriculture during the season of 1897 was devoted especially to the culture of high-grade beets in cooperation with a few of the agricul- tural experiment stations. The localities selected for the experiments were such as would represent as wide a range as possible of climatic conditions, and be compatible with the time at the disj)osal of the Chemist of the Department for doing the work, and with the quantity of high-grade seeds on hand. It was not deemed advisable to go into the arid regions with these experiments, because it was not possible, in the short time at our disposal, to make proper preparations for the conduct of our work. Under authority of the Secretary of Agriculture the Chemist of the Department made arrangements with the following experiment stations to conduct the work under as nearly as possible identical conditions, except those pertaining to climate : The agricultural experiment station of New York, at Geneva. The agricultural experiment station of Indiana, at Lafixyette. The agricultural experiment station of Wisconsin, at Madison. The agricultural experiment station of Iowa, at Ames. The agricultural experiment station of Kentucky, at Lexington. The agricultural experiment station of Tennessee, at Knoxville. In order that the experimen ts might be conducted on plots of equal area, each director of the stations mentioned above was furnished with IJ IS i^ Fig. 2 — Plot for guidance in planting sugar beets. a diagram showing the manner in which it was thought most advisable to plant the different varieties of seeds. The diagram shown in figure 2 was accompanied by the following descriptive letter: United States Department of Agriculture, Division of Chemistry, Washiiujlon, D. C, April S3, 1897. Dear Sir: For the sake of having complete uniformity in the comparative tests of high-grade beet seeds, I seud herewith a diagram for the purpose of guiding you in the preparation of the plots and in the planting of the seed. The object of this dia- gram is to secure the planting of the high-grade seed in the interior smaller plots AB. each one of which has almost exactly the area of 500 square feet. If preferred the 142 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. size of the iuteiior plots may he varied so as to make each of them exactly one one- hundredth of an acre, namely, 435.6 square feet. I think it would be better, however, to keep the interior plots AB each 500 square feet, as they fit the rows as indicated by the horizontal line, allowing exactly 14 rows in the plots, of a total length, including both interior plots, of about 47.6 feet. The interior plots AB are surrounded by a border CCCC, which is to be i)lanted with the high-grade commercial seeds which 1 shall send you. The end plots DD are to be planted with the same kind of high-grade commercial seeds as CCCC, but these eud plots are not necessary to the success of the experiments. The object of the border CCCC is to surround the high-grade seeds AA with beets grown under the same Cdnditions, so that the exterior rows of the plots AA may be subjected to the normal couditious of beet growth, Avhich would not be the case if .such small plots were left unprotected. The scale of these plots is 1 inch=12 feet. I think it is important that the soil of the plots be prepared in accordance with the directions contained in Bulletin No. 52, a copy of which I transmit herewith. The plowing aud subsoiliug should loosen the ground to a depth of not less than 16, and, better, to a depth of 18 inches, and the surface of the soil, after plowing aud subsoiliug, should be reduced to perfect tilth. I am now awaiting the remainder of the high-grade seeds, which I expect in a few days. There will be two varieties of the high-grade seeds, one to be planted in Plot A and the other in Plot B. All the seeds sent you will be plainly marked, so that no mistake can be made. The quantity of seed required for plots A and B will be about 5 ounces, I think it best that the interior plots A aud B at least should be plauted by hand. The number of seeds in the 5 ounces being known, they should be planted in groups at intervals of 9 inches; that is, in such a way as to secure one good, vig- orous plant at about every 9 inches in the row after thinning. Five ounces of seed will contain approximately 5,000 seeds, and in the two plots A and B there will be 888 hills, which gives ax>proxiuiately nearly 6 seeds to a hill. In this case the planting would be accomplished as follows : Six seeds placed in the row at distances of 1 inch apart followed by an interval of 3 inches, then again 6 seeds at intervals of 1 inch, aud so on. This grouping is shown in the following line: 9 in. 9 in. Of course the spacing will vary according to the number of seeds to be planted. If there be anything in connection with the diagram that you do not understand please let me know. Respectfully, H. W. Wiley, Chief of Division. The Mgli-grade seeds furnished for planting- the above plots were as follows : (1) The Vilmorin Improved, grown at the experiment station of the United States Department of Agriculture at Schuyler, Nebr., in 1893. This station was abolished in the autumn of that year by Secretary Morton, and the principal part of all the high-grade seeds on hand was sold to the Oxnard Beet Sugar Company, of Grand Island, Nebr. A small portion of each variety was retained, however, in the hope that at some day the experiments might be reestablished. When sub- jected to a germination test, however, of all tlie varieties which had been preserved, only the Vilmorin Improved showed unimpaired vitality. All the other varieties grown at Schuyler showed a vitality too low to warrant planting. (2) Original Klein wanzlebener, grown l)y Kiihn & Co., Kaarden, near Amsterdam, Holland. These seeds were from specially analyzed mothers, showing the very highest (jualities for seed production. BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 143 (3) High-grade commercial seed, grown by F. Demesmay, Cysoiug, France. These seeds were not grown from specially analyzed mothers, but rej)reseuted the high-grade commercial seeds produced at that place. These three varieties were furnished for planting in Section B. There were also sent at the same time some of the high-grade commer- cial Kleinwanzlebener and Vilmorin's La Plus lliche for planting sec- tions CCCC and DD, as indicated in the diagram. These seeds were sent to the various stations specified above on the 24th of April, 1897. The high-grade seeds which were to be used in planting Section A had not yet been received, and were not forwarded at that time. The seeds ordered from Europe did not arrive uutil May 15, and were sent at once to the several stations on that day. In addition, seeds were received from August Rolker & Sons, representing Dippe Brothers, at New York, and from Martin Grashoff, of Quedliuburg. These seeds were also sent for planting the margins of the plot indicated above. In the general instructions given to the directors of the stations it will be noticed that all the details of the work were left to be decided by them at the proper time, as any directions for time of planting, etc., would be but futile. Each one of the directors undertook to do the work strictly in accordance Avith the instructions provided in so far as the preparation of the land, planting, cultivation, and harvesting of the samples were concerned. The Chemist of the Department visited three of the stations during the season and conferred itersonally with the directors in regard to the progress of their work. The other direc- tors were communicated with only by letter. In the analytical work samples were selected according to instruc- tions and sent to the Dei>artmeut of Agriculture, and others were ana- lyzed in the laboratories of the collaborating experiment stations. On May G, the high-grade seeds not yet having arrived from Europe, I sent to each of the stations for i)lanting Section A some high-grade seeds grown by Martin Grashoft", of Quedliuburg, obtained from Mr. Jellinek, an agent of the grower in this country. I suggested that Section A be planted with this seed, and then if the other seed expected from Germany came in time the plants could be dug out and the section replanted. The name of the seeds sent for j^lantiug Section A was White Improved Imperial Elite, which were produced by a cross of another variety with the Kleinwanzlebener. Directions for planting the seeds according to the plot were furnished each director. The additional quantity of high-grade sugar-beet seed ordered from Dippe Brothers, Quedliuburg, Germany, was received and distributed to the stations on the 17th of May. In most cases the beets in Section A which were previously planted were not dug out, but the new seeds were planted in other localities. The conditions of growth varied greatly in the different localities during the season. At the New York station the spring was backward and cold, and the planting and first development of the beets were 144 PEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. delayed. The subsequent conditions were favorable to good growth. The beets received no backset, and reached a fair maturity by the 1st of October. The autumn was mild and cool, and dry enough to pre- vent second growth, so that the beets could be left in the ground with perfect security until late in November. At the Indiana station less favorable conditions obtained. A poor stand of the beets was secured in many in8ta*nces where a perfect stand was secured at the New York station. The early leaves were badly eaten by an insect, and this prevented the early rapid develop- ment of the iilant. Subsequently a period of extreme drought set in, lasting for nearly two months — during July and August. The result of all these unfavorable conditions was practically a complete failure of the crop, so that even in the case of the beets which were secured there were evidences of arrested develo])ment. The general result of the experiment was exceedingly discouraging. At the Wisconsin station the field which was selected for the growth of the beets was not iiarticularly well suited to the puri)Ose. It had not been under previous cultivation for many years, and a portion of it, as is seen in the report of the director, suffered severely from various causes. The special plots which were cultivated in the high-grade seeds gave fairly good results, as will be seen farther on, and the beets produced were of good size, fair shape, and tine quality. At the Iowa station fairly good seasonal conditions prevailed, and the character of the beets produced on the specially prepared plots was satisfactory. At the Kentucky station the beets obtained a good start, and grew well for the greater part of the season. They were slightly retarded by dry weather at one period of their growth, but on the whole reached a fair stage of maturity without untoward accidents. The beets which were harvested in September and October showed a higher content of sugar than those that were left later in the ground, and this is probably due to the second growth, which was produced by the warm climate of that locality. The sugar content was exceedingly low, and the data secured from the station show conclusively that Kentucky is not in the list of possibilities as a sugar-producing State in so far as beets are concerned. The data from Tennessee are extremely meager, and no definite con- clusions can be drawn from those at hand. In the study of the data received, it will be convenient to begin with the most southern station, namely, Tennessee, and then continue with the Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, and New York stations in the order named. Tennessee. The results obtained at the Tennessee station were extremely unsatis- factory. On account of the poor quality of the beets, only one sample was sent for analysis, which was harvested on the 25th of September. These beets were so small as to hardly deserve the name, and no attempt BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 145 was made to determine the purity of tlie juice. It is evident, from an inspection of the table which follows, that there was nothing in the result of the experiment to justify a further examination of the beets produced. The cause of failure in Tennessee has been reported by the secretary of the station in the letter given below, and therefore no further expla- nation need be made here of the failure to attain even fairly satisfactory results. The Agricultural Experiment Station OF the University of Tennessee, Enoxville, February 15, 1S07. Dear Sir: A reference to plat sent you May 26, 1897, will explain the following: Sujjar beets grown from seed sown May 19, 20, 1897, were lifted when properly ripe, tops removed and put into separate piles on the ground close by, and covered with earth. lu this condition the various lots remained until taken up to be weighed on 13th of this month. Roots found in good order, and are now being fed to our cows. The weights of the several lots were as follows: Plat. Variety and from wbence received. Area. Weight. Vilmorin's Improved Wbite, from P. Henderson & Co., New York. Kleinwanzlebener Elite, Dippe Brotbers, from Depart- ment. Sq.ft. 880 589 1, .'seg 1, 642 448 64 96 288 224 Pounds. 175 54 280 Higb grade Kleinwanzlebener, from Department Memte Ober Wurst, Quedlinburg, Dippe Brothers, from Department. Original Kleinwanzelebener (Holland), from Department. Vilimirin's Improved (Schuyler, Xebr.), from Department. 369 64 5 Subdivision B (2 rows) . Subdivision B (3 rows) . Subdivision B (9 rows). Subdivision E (trian- gle). 10.5 12 50 Wbite Iniproved Imperial Elite (Grasboff), from De- partment. 124.5 5, 796 1,115.5 8,71-5 pounds per acre. A miserably poor yield. — Soil prepared in best manner; germination good; when first leaves were formed an excellent stand. A few days after an incursion of flea beetles destroyed almost every plant in an irregular strip across the whole plat; this was done between the hours of 11 a. m. and 3 p. ni., in one day. Cultivation was w
your inquiry conceruing the test of higli-gr.i.do sugar-beet seed luruishcd by yonr Dopartment, will say that wo liave forwarded you two sani- plesof the Vilinorin's Elite from the plats grown according 1o your instructions, and bii.vo lately had your report of the last sauiph'. The beets from these ])lats were analyzed by Dr. Weoms. of our chemistry section, with the following results: Variety. Vilinorin's l5lite Deiuesmay Improved Imperial Itllite. Klein wan zlebener Sugar. Puiity coeflicient Per cent 16.07 14.30 13. 31 16.91 S4.30 78.38 76.14 90. 76 These samples and the one forwarded to you gave substantially the same results and were harvested November 11. The first sample scut you was taikeu earlier and was probably immature. The past season was quite backward here, and the beet crop correspondingly lato in maturing. Owing to a change in our field-experiment department during the past year, the beets from these jtlats wen;, through a misun- derstanding, thrown together instead of being kept sepnratci after the analyses were made, and we will not be able to distinguish between varieties in testing these beets and carrying on future w^ork along tiiis line. We very much regret that this mistake has occurreovember, the analytical data are not satisfac- tory. In the case of the variety just mentioned the sugar content and the purity were satisfactory, l)nt the beets were very much under size. It is evident that the data obtained in the past season do not fairly represent the capabilities of Iowa, either for the production of good connnercial' beets or for the growth of beets for seed-producing pur- poses. The analytical data obtained on analysis of the sauiples received at the Department are found in the table given farther on. Wisconsin. Complete details of experiments with high-grade beet seeds, grown under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture, are found in the 148 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. Wiscou.siu report, coutained in Bulletin Ko. 64 of that station. These details are so valuable as to warrant their reproduction in full: EXPERIMENTS WITH HIGH-GRADE SUGAR-BEET SEEP, These experiments were, as already stated, conducted under the auspices of the United States Department of Agriculture. In a letter received in the early part of April last, the chief chemist of the Department, Dr. H. W. Wiley, requested this station to cooperate with the Department in growing a numher of varieties of heets from high-grade seed furnished by them, giving the beets the best of conditions in respect to subsoiling, preparation of the seed bed, and cultivation. Some of the kinds of seed sent were produced by the highest possible scientific culture from specially analyzed beets, which were stated to average 19 per cent of sugar. Accord- ing to the directions received, the Government plat was surrounded on all sides by our regular beet field and was located in the southeastern quarter of our main field. The different kinds of seed received and planted by hand on May 22 were as follows: Flat J. — Dippe Brothers, A'ilmoriu Elite R I, from Dippe Brothers, Quedlinbui'g, Germany. riat B. — 1. Original Kleinwanzlebeuer, grown by Kiihu, Naarden, Holland. 2. Vilmorin Improved, grown at United States Sugar Beet Station at Schuyler, Nebr. 3. Demesmay sugar-beet seed, grown by F. Demesmay, Cysoing (Nord), France. Flat C, — High-grade Commercial Kleinv/anzlebener. Plat D. — High-grade Commercial Vilmorin's Improved " La Plus Riche." White Improved Imperial Elite, grown by Martin Grashoff, Quedlinburg, Germany. Dippe Brothers, Kleinwanzlebeuer Elite W I, from Dippe Bros., Quedlinburg, Germany. The plats were arranged, as suggested by Dr. Wiley, in the following manner: Plats A and B, each 21 by 24 feet, were placed in the middle and were surrounded by a border, CC, 67 feet long and 9* feet wide; the plats D' and D^ were placed at the east and west ends of the C plat, being 21 by 40 feet. South and north of the whole plat three rows were run 110 feet long, in which were planted the varieties given in the preceding statement, White Imperial being planted in the south three rows, and Kleinwanzlebeuer Elite in the north three rows. The rows were 18 inches apart. The effort was to have one good vigorous beet plant at about every 9 inches iu the row after thinning. The germinations of the seed planted in this experiment, as well as of that planted in our other trials, were determined by Professor Goff, and are given on pages 300- 301 of our Fourteenth Aunual Report. It will be seen that the germinative power of the different kinds of seed was very good, with the possible exception of the Schuyler, Nebr., seed, which was old, and the Dippe Brothers' Vilmorin Elite seed. The average germination of the seed was 167 per cent, ranging from 115 to 231 per cent, the latter result being obtained with the White Improved Imperial filite. The first samples of the beets raised on the Government plat were taken Septem- ber 20; another sample was taken September 27, and after that time every fourteen days until the beets were harvested, on November .5. In sampling the beets four beets were dug of each kind. Two of these were forwarded to Washington, D. C, to the Department of Agriculture, and the other two retained for analysis in our own laboratory. The results of the analyses made by the writer are given in the following table. The C samples were taken south of the A and B plats and the C- samples north of these plats. In the same manner the D' and D- samples were taken from the plats east and west, respectively, of the central plats. BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 149 Main field, Government plat. Date of sam- pling. Per cent root of whole plant. Weight of beets. Analysis of juice. Variety . Specific gravity. Sugar. Purity coetiicient Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. n Oct. 25 Nov. 5 70 70 78 80 Pou7ids. 0.21 .40 .40 .58 .83 1.0755 1. 0934 1. 0834 1.0858 1.0740 Per cent. 14.44 17.92 17.04 16.35 14.35 79.1 811.5 85.0 79.4 80. 1 .48 16. 02 16.96 17.58 17.93 16.40 16.53 80.8 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 11 Oct. 25 Nov. 5 1. 0882 1.0923 1. 0895 1. 0860 1. 0882 73 73 72 82 .34 .80 .98 .95 1.20 80.4 79.9 S3 8 79.5 78.3 .85 .37 55 .50 .50 1.13 17.08 80.4 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 11 Oct. 25 Nov. 5 High-grade Kleiuwanzlebener, Cj 73 70 59 78 1. 0825 1. 0898 1. 0870 1.0810 1. 0845 16.45 17.21 16.15 14.35 16.90 83.0. 80.0 77.5 73.6 83.5 .61 .75 .45 1.13 .75 .71 16.21 79.5 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 11 Oct. 25 Nov. 5 70 76 80 91 1. 0725 1.0810 1. 0848 1. 0857 1. 0800 15.06 16.70 17. 01 15.86 15.71 85.7 85.7 83.6 77.2 81.5 .76 16.07 16. 63 18.57 17.95 17.34 18.65 82.7 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 11 Oct. 25 Nov. 5 Original Kleiuwanzlebeiier, Holland, B . 68 67 73 73 .45 .20 .40 .30 .35 1. 0860 1. 0046 1. 0935 l.Of'80 1. 0920 80.7 82.4 80.6 74.5 81.8 .37 17.83 80.0 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 11 Oct. 25 Nov. 5 64 68 71 71 .70 .00 .93 .50 .95 1.0695 1. 08:^6 1.0917 1. 1070 1.0812 14.57 17.11 18. 17 21.45 16. 42 86.3 85. 2 83.0 85.2 84.0 .80 17.54 84.7 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 11 Oct. 25 Nov. 5 67 72 73 78 1.03 1.15 1.23 1.35 1. 0735 1. 0800 1. 0868 1.0917 16. 13 16. 90 17.56 18.88 90.6 83.0 84.4 86.3 1 1.19 17.37 86.1 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 11 Oct. 25 High-grade Klein wauzlebeuer, C2 72 65 75 82 1.05 .70 .70 1.30 1. 0850 1. 0842 1. 0885 1. 0940 17.94 16.70 17.57 19.18 87.9 82.6 83.0 85.7 .94 17.85 84.8 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 11 Oct. 25 Nov. 5 76 81 78 89 .80 .93 1.10 .85 .93 1. 0655 1. 0695 1.067S 1.0798 1. 0690 13.23 13.49 12.85 15.95 13.66 82.8 79.8 77.9 83.0 81 4 .92 13.84 81 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 11 Oct. 25 Nov. 5 63 73 73 82 .62 1.00 1.10 1.03 .75 1. 0790 1. 0852 1. 0895 1.0920 1. 0827 16.05 16.86 17.49 18.34 16.91 84.3 82.5 81.7 83.6 85.1 .90 17.13 83.4 150 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. AVe notice that the per cent of sugar in the juice but rarely came over 18 in case of the different varieties, tlie average figures ranging from 13.84 per cent 'Demesniay) to 17,85 per cent (High-griide Commercial Kleinwanzlebener, C2); the purity of the beet juice was good, viz, lowest 79.5 (High-grade Commercial Kleinwanzlebener, Ci), highest 86.1 (Vilmorin La Plus Riche, DJ. The average results of the analyses of these beets obtained by the Department of Agriculture and in this laboratory are given below : Determinations made by — Number of analyses. Polariscope method. Ale. ex- traction method. Purity co- efficient. 38 (31*) 38 (31*) 16.27 16.09 84.7 15.13 82.0 * Number of determinations of purity of juice. While the agreement is as good a » could be expected between the results obtained by .the polariscope method, the purity coelficient dift'ers rather more than allowable in duplicate samples. The two sets of analyses differ in this way, that the Department of Agriculture samples were always analyzed at least several days after our analyses were made, since the latter were always finished within twenty-four hours from the time of sampling. In single instances, variations occurred between the Department of Agriculture and our analyses of 3 per cent of sugar in the juice and of over 7 per cent purity, owing to differences in the stage of maturity of the beets analyzed; it is evident that no absolutely correct idea of the sugar content of the beets in a cer- tain plat or field can be obtained by pulling and analyzing two single beet roots, even if these do appear to be at about average stage of maturity. The yield of beets from the plat, obtained at harvesting, November 5, and the calculated yield of beets and of sugar per acre, are shown in the following table: Yield of heels and of sugar, Government plat. Name of variety. Yield of beets. From plat. Per acre. Average weight of beets. Sugar in the beet. Sugar per acre. Ini]ierinl l^litc Viluioriu La Plus Riche Hinh-grade Commercial Kleinwanzlebener Dipjie Brothers Kleinwanzlebener Elite ... l)i])po Brothers Vilmorin Elite Ueiiiesmay Vilmorin. Schuyler, Nebr Original Kleinwanzlebener, Holland Averages, etc Pounds. 272.3 1,167.3 1, 170. 311.7 336.6 234. 4 76.7 26.0 Pounds. 24, 210 - 28,290 30, 660 34, 380 29, 090 HI, 520 30, 940 15, 730 Pounds. 0.45 .64 .56 .66 .58 .61 .59 .27 Per cent. 13. 63 15.70 16.05 15. (lO 16.06 12.98 14.92 17.72 Pounds. 3, 300 4,441 4,920 4,995 4,672 4,092 4,616 2,788 3, 595. 28, 103 15.04 4,228 The average yield of beets per acre obtained was over 14 tons, or about 5 tons more than the yield obtained from either half of the main field. The average calculated yiehl of sugar per acre was 4,228 pounds, the lowest yield being obtained in case of Original Kleinwanzlebener, Holland (2,788 pounds), which variety plainly sufiered most from the drought, and the highest in case of Dippe's Kleinwanzlebener Elite (4,995 pounds). ANALYSES MADE AT THE LABORATORY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Samples of beets from the high-grade i)lots were sent from time to time to the hihoratory of the Department of Agriculture for analysis, and finally all the remaining beets of proper size were forwarded for BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 151 examination. The following table contains the analyses of the samples received from the various stations of the three separate harvests of beets, ranging from the last of September to the last of October, together with the analyses of all the samples of the high-grade beets harvested in the middle of IsTovember : Tabic showing analyses of heels of liufh grade from experiment stations of Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, and New York. KNOX COUNTY, TENN. [Experiment Station, Knoxville.] Serial No. 201 203 204 206 202 205 207 Variety. White Improved Imperial Elite Kleiuwaiizlebeiier Elite .. Original Kleinwauzleben- or (Dipiie Brothers) Original Kleinwauzleben- er (Holland) High grade Kleinwanz- lebener Viluiorin's "La Plus Ricbe'' Vilmorin's Improved Demesmay Time of planting. May 24 ,...^0 ... May 18 ...do ... ...do ... .do .do .do Time of harvest- ing. 3897. Sept. 25 ....do ... ..do ... ..do ... ..do ... .do .do .do Date received. Sept. 27 do ... ...do. ...do. ...do -do. .do .do. Num- ber of beets. Average weight. Ounces. 4 7 3 1 6 7 1 1 Sugar iu the beets. Per ct. 11.0 10.7 12.5 12.5 12.0 10.6 13.2 13. 5 Purity coetii- eient. FAYETTE COUNTY, KY. [Experiment Station, Lexington.] 285 834 -870 286 287 293 785 -832 Original Kleinwanzleben- er (Holland) do Vilmorin 's Improve (1 (Schuyler, Nebr.) Demesmay White Improved Impe- rial Elite do 1897. Sept. 27 Oct. 14 Sept. 27 ....do .. ....do .. Oct. 14 1897. Sept. 29 Oct. 18 37' 21 7 13.3 15.8 Sept. 29 do ... 10 18 17 7 10.9 9.5 10.9 do 48 68.5 05. 68.1 TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. [Experiment Station, Lafayette.] 436 2203 171 448 2202 172 449 2204 178 447 2206 180 2205 430 Original Kleinwanzleben- er ( Holland) do do Klein wanzlebener Elite (Dippo Brothers) do: do Demesmay .....do.... do Vilmorin's Improved Elite (Dippe Brothers)-. do do Vilmorin's Improved (Schuyler, Nebr.) do Vilfuoriu's Improved 1897. May 5 ....do ... May 19 ...do ... ...do ... May 5 .do May 19 ....do ... ...do ... May 5 ...do ... ...do ... 1897. Sept. 24 Oct. 8 jSTov. 22 Sept. 24 Oct. 8 Nov. 22 Sept. 24 Oct. 8 Nov. 22 Sept. 24 Oct. 8 Nov. 22 Sept. 24 Nov. 22 Oct. 8 1897. Sept. 27 Oct. 10 Nov. 24 Sept. 20 Oct. 10 Nov. 24 Sept. 20 Oct. 10 Nov. 24 Sept. 26 Oct. 10 Nov. 24 Sept. 26 Nov. 24 Oct. 10 4 16.5 5 14.3 6 19.1 3 14.4 4 14.7 9 18. 5 5 12.6 8 12.5 9 14.3 4 13.9 4 14.0 7 16.5 6 14.5 7 15.4 6 16.1 83 6 152 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. Table shoiving annlysex of beets of li'ujh ip-aAe from erperimenl stations of Ttnni'saee, Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, and New York — Continued. STORl COUNTY, IOWA. [Experiment Station, Ames.] Serial No. 249 2078 2088 2099 2100 Variety. 1897, Demesinay May 29 AVhitt) Improved Imperial Elite do . Viliiioriu's Improved do Vilmorin's Elite do Oriyiiual Kleiuwauzlebe ner do Time of ])lauting. Time of harvest- ing. 1897. Sept. 25 Nov. 13 ...do ... ...do ... .do Date received. 1897. Sept. 28 Nov. 22 ...do . ...do ... .do Num- ber of beeta. Average weight. Ounces. 11 13 19 12 Sugiir Purity in the coeHi- beets, cient. Per et. 13.9 16.7 13.0 17.3 79.1 72.5 82 6 DANE COUNTY, WIS. [Experiment Station, Madison.] 2i7 Dippe'sKleinwanzlebeaer 1897. Mav 22 do ... 1897. 1897. Sept. 29 Oct. 12 Oct. 27 Nov. 17 2 2 2 12 10 11 9 10 15.0 18.5 19.5 15.3 80 5 882 87 3 1465 . do do ... 1912 ... do do ... Nov. 3 83.1 14 15.9 83.3 Original Kleinwanzleben- May 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 12 Oct. 27 Nov. 17 222 2 2 2 11 5 8 7 6 15.4 18.9 18.9 18.7 881 do 87 2 1469 do ....do ... l'.ii:i do ....do ... Nov. 2 80.7 6 18.4 82 Kleinwanzlcbener do May 22 (lo . .. Sept. 29 Oct. 12 Oct. 27 Sept. 29 Oct. 12 Oct. 27 Nov. 17 2'>b 2 2 2 2 2 2 188 13 9 13 9 6 6 15 11.6 16.3 17.3 1.!.8 15.5 18.5 17.3 85. sn 82 2 1468 do ....do ... 84.1 226 do ....do ... 86.3 878 do ....do ... 80.2 1464 do do 1918 do do . Nov. 3 85.1 14.7 17.2 85.1 White Improved Imperial Elite May 22 clo ... Sept. 29 Oct. 12 Oct. 27 Nov. 17 218 2 2 2 12 9 8 5 15 14.0 17.1 18.3 15.4 86.0 876 do 1403 do do 1911 do ....do .. Nov. 3 83.2 12.4 15.5 8.i 5 Dippe's Vilmorin Elite Mav 22 ....do ... Sept. 29 Oct. 12 < )ct. 27 Nov. 17 219 2 2 2 115 14 10 Ki 14 14.3 18 3 18.5 17.7 84 3 8.S0 87.2 1406 do . do 86.9 1917 do do .. Nov. 2 86.7 14.0 16 15 12 12 17.7 13.6 16.8 16.2 15.0 86.7 221 Vilmorin a Improved May 22 do Sept. 29 Oct. 12 Oct. 27 Nov. 17 2 2 2 24 82.6 879 (1(1 85.0 1461 do do ... 82.1 1916 do do ... Nov. 2 82.5 12.4 15.6 82.7 * 111 figuring the averages, each analysis is valued ia proportion to the weight of the sample. BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 153 lable showiufi anah/scH of hcets of hUih f/iitde fivm experiment, stations of Tvnntusee, Kentucky, Indiana, Joiva, JViaconsin, and 2\etv York — Coiitiuued. DAKE COUNTY, "WIS.— Contiuued. Serial Ko. A'aricty. Time of planting. Time of harvest- ing. Date received. Num- ber of beets. Average weight. Sugar in the beets. Purity coeffi- cient. 223 Viluiorin'.s "La Plus Kiche" do 1897. Mav 22 do ... 1897. 1897. Sept. 29 Oct. 12 Oct. 27 Sept. 29 Oct. 12 Oct. 27 Nov. 17 2 2 2 o I 236 Ouncex. 18 16 12 13 8 10 15 Fer ct. 14.9 17.9 17.6 14.3 19.2 19.0 17.7 83.4 871 88.2 1402 do do ... do ... 85.2 224 do ... 86.2 875 do ... ....do ... 1467 ...do ...do ... 85.4 1915 . . . .do . . . Nov. 3 86.7 15 17.7 86.8 May 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 12 Nov. 17 220 2 2 91 12 12 13 13.4 15.0 13.6 84.8 1470 .do 83.5 19U do ....do ... Nov. 2 81.0 13 13.6 81.1 ONTAEIO COUNTY, N. Y. [Experiment station, Geneva.] 227 1409 White Improved Imperial Elite ::-:::;■::::;:::::: 1897. May 19 do ... 1897. Sept. 27 Oct. 14 /Oct. 29 tOct. 30 1897. Sept. 28 Oct. 15 } 4 4 174 14 16 18 12.6 14.8 15.3 80 G S2. 18 15.2 81.3 Vilmorin's "La Plus May 19 do ... Sept. 27 do Sept. 28 do ... Oct. 15 ....do... \ 228 4 4 4 4 207 20 17 16 16 20 15.1 15.0 16.8 16.6 18.3 85.5 231 do 87.2 1403 do do ... Oct. 14 ....do... 84.2 1410 do . . do ... 83.7 do do ... /Oct. 29 tOct. 30 (*) / 20 18.1 85.6 Vilmorin's Improved (Schuyler, Nebr.) May 15 do . .. Sept. 27 Oct. 14 /Oct. 29 tOct. 30 Sept. 28 Oct. 15 \ 229 1406 5 4 32 20 16 18 14.2 15.2 15.7 84 2 87.8 do do ... (*) / 18 15.5 8.'>. 6 Vilmorin's Improved May 19 do ... Sept. 27 Oct. 14 Sept. 28 Oct. 15 234 1404 \ 15 15 13.6 14.0 82.2 81.4 15 14.1 81.8 May 19 do ... Sept. 27 Oct. 14 /Oct. 29 Sept. 28 Oct. 15 \ 230 4 4 107 18 16 18 13.3 12.3 15.9 82.8 1401 70.2 ... do ....do ... (*) \Oct. 30 / 1 l.S 15.7 1.5.2 16.7 18.1 81.1 Viluiorin's Improved Elite (Dipi>e Brothers) May 19 tlo ... Sept. 27 Oct. 14 /Oct. 29 tOct. 30 Sept. 28 Oct. 15 \ 232 1407 4 4 64 19 16 19 86.0 84.9 do do ... (■) / 1 19 17.9 85.5 * Not included in averaging the purity coeiEcients. \ In tiguring the averages, each analysis is valued in proportion to the weight of the sample it represents. 154 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. Table shoiviug analyses of heels of hUjli f;rade from ex2)eriment stations of Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa, IFisconsin, and New York — Coutimied. ONTARIO COUNTY, N. T.— Coutimied. Serial No. Variety. Time of plauting. Time of harvest- ing. Bate received . Num- ber of beets. Averag'^ weight. Sugar in the beets . Purity coeffi- cient. 1402 High-grade Commercial Kleiuwanzlobeuer do 1897. May 19 1897. Sept. 27 Oct. 14 /Oct. 29 \Oct. 30 1897. Sei)t. 28 Oct. 15 1 4 4 224 Ounce.i. 20 15 18 Per ct. 15.1 15.2 17.8 86.4 83.2 do ....do ... (*) / 18 17.7 85.0 Original Kloinwanzlebe- May 19 do ... Sept. 27 Oct. 14 Sept. 28 Oct. 15 235 4 4 7 18 13 18 16.2 16.4 19.2 86.7 1405 do 84.7 ...do do ... (*) 17 17.7 85.8 Kleinwanzleliener Elite (Dippe Brothers) do May 19 ....do ... Oct. 14 /Oct. 29 lOct. 30 Oct. 15 \ 1408 4 211 16 20 17.3 18.7 84.6 / 20 18.7 *Not included in averaging the purity coefficients. tin figuring the averages, each analysis is valued in proportion to the weight of the sample it represents. Discussion of above data. — No further discussion of the analytical data contained in the above table is necessary, except in the case of the samples received from Wisconsin and New York. These samples were exceijtionally fine. By an unfortunate misunderstanding all the beets received frcm Wisconsin were reduced to pulp for the iiurposeof getting an average sample for analysis. The selection for mother beets Avas, therefore, confined to the samples from New York. WISCONSIN. Almost uniformly good results were obtained in these experiments. The Original Kleinwanzlebener (Holland) seed produced beets, liowever, too small for all practical purposes, although the sugar content and purity were high. The largest beets and those of the highest purity were produced by the Vilmorin La Plus Riche seed. The Demesmay seed which were used were only the commercial article, and were not grown from specially analyzed mothers. It is not surprising, therefore, to see that they produced a crop which was the poorest of all in sugar content. Tlie particular analyses of the most importance are those which were made on the beets received November 17, and liarvested on the 3d of November. These practically represent the beets at their full maturity, as it is not probable that they would improve in quality in the climate of Madison after the 1st of November. The analyses also represent the greatest number of beets, and therefore are the most reliable. The largest number of beets of proper size and shape were produced by the Vilmorin La Plus Itiche seed, and the - BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 155 smallest by the Original Kleiuwanzlebener. The beets grown from the Schuyler seed are of particular interest because they represent the link of union between the experiments Avhich were discontinued by the Department in 1893 and reinaugurated in 1807. The average size of the beets produced by the Schuyler seed is somewhat small, but the content of sugar and the i^iirity are satisfactory. Upon the whole, the effect of high-grade seed and high culture are most distinctly marked. It is only necessary to compare the results obtained in the experiments with these high-grade seeds with those secured in the State at large to show the i^ossibilities of beet production in Wisconsin. With such data before the investigator, it is evident that he must be convinced of the fact that it is possible, with j)roper conditions of seed and culture, to produce a grade of beets of the highest quality in Wisconsin. New York. Most satisfactory results were obtained from the experimental work in the State of New York at Geneva. Two sets of samples were received from the station, representing intervals of about two weeks in harv^estiug, the first set of samples having been harvested on the 27th of September and the second on the 14th of October. It will be noticed that a marked improvement was secured by postponing the harvest for two weeks, showing that as a rule it is not to be expected that the season for manufacturing in JSTew York should begin before the middle of October. The above table includes also the final har- vest, which was made much later in the season, viz, October 29-30, and shows even a greater improvement. The beets from the final har- vest were all sent to Washington, and were carefully selected for seed production. The data obtained in this selection are given as the third in the series of analyses. The samples which were grown at the ISTew York station were from seeds of two different qualities : First, commer- cial seeds, as represented by the Demesmay White Imperial and high- grade commercial Kleinwauzlebener; and, second, seeds grown directly from high-grade mothers, represented by the Vilmorin La Plus Eiche, theVilmorin Improved (Schuyler), and the Original Kleiuwanzlebener. The average size of the beets selected for analysis was not quite 20 ounces ; the sugar content in most cases was high, and the purity extremely satisfactory. After leaving the beets unharvested until the end of October they were found to have increased their content of sugar very markedly, as will be shown in the table of analyses for the selection of mothers. The encouraging data obtained at the New York station suggests that if the Department should reestablish its experi- ment stations for the production of high-grade seeds one of them should be placed in this locality. In the analysis of the beets to be selected as mothers for producing seeds no attempt was made to determine the coefficient of purity, as the amount of pulp removed was only sufttcieut to determine the 156 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. l)erceutage of su^ar diiectiv' tliereiu. It is evident, liowever, that the purity coefficients of all the differeut varieties would uot have beeu diniiuished by perfect maturity, so that they may be regarded as fully equal to the average in each case. In fact, it Avould be fair to assume that the averages of the tinal harvest of the most mature beets were slightly above those taken for the average of the three analytical periods of the season. In the discussion of the data obtained by the analysis it must be remembered that the averages in all cases are made upon the total Mcight of the material entering into the analysis. !N"ot only is this true of each individual samjile, but also of the average analyses of the sami^les. It is evident that this is the one exact method of obtaining average results, and it- is only the averages obtained by such a method that have a convincing value. DATA OF EACH VARIETY. The White Improved Imi)erial Elite, grown from commercial seeds gave beets of fair commercial quality. An average weight of 18 ounces, with a content of 15.2 per cent of sugar in the beets and a coefficient of purity of 81.'}, would insure a large yield in a well-built and well- operated factory. From the complete harvest, 171 beets were found of the required size, shape, and sugar content to warrant saving for the production of seed. It is evident, however, that this seed would be only of a medium grade commercial quality, and not suited to the impi'ovement of the beet. Yilniori7i La Flus Rielie. — This plot gave excellent results throughout. The average size of the beets was the largest of any of the plots grown. The purity coefficients v/ere exceptionally high, and the sugar contents most satisfactory. Two hundred and seven beets grown on tliis plot, having an average weight of 20 ounces and a mean content of sugar of 18.3 x)er cent, were selected for seed production. It is evident that the coefficient of purity of this selection must have been at least 86. These mothers will therefore produce seeds of the highest quality, which can subsequently be planted, growing beets for the production of seeds of exceptional iiroperties. Yihnorhi Improved^ Schuyler Seed. — This variety is chiefly of interest now because it represents the continuation of the work in seed produc- tion which was discontinued four years ago. The seeds evidently have lost in vitality by their long keeiiing, and the product, therefore, is not as satisfactory as could have been desired. The average sugar content is not exceptionally high, but the jmrity is excellent. The beets pro- duced from these seeds in another year will doubtless develop some exceptionally high-grade mothers, and thus the strain will be continued. This plot represents the sole surviving result of the three years' experi- ments at Schuyler, commenced in 1890. Thirty-two beets, with an average weight of 18 ounces and an average content of sugar of 15.7 per cent were put aside for seed production. It is seen, from au 'BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 157 inspection of the table, that the coefl&cient of purity of tliis lot was 87 or more. It therefore represents the highest grade of i)arity of any of the lots. Vilmorin Improved. — This is a commercial seed, used for planting around the central plots, and has produced a crop of only fair commer- cial value. Demesmay. — This is also a commercial seed, obtained directly from the growers in the north of France, and, as will be seen from an inspec- tion of the table, produced a crop of excellent commercial value. Vilmorin Improved Elite, grown by Bippe Brothers. — This seed repre- sents the improvement in the strain of the Vilmorin beet when cultivated according to the highest scientific principles in Germany. Sixty-four beets grown on this plot, having an average weight of 19 ounces, were selected for mothers. The mean content of sugar in these beets was 18.1. It is evident, also, that the purity was at least 80 per cent. This harvest, therefore, represents a very high grade quality of mothers for continuing the improvement. High-grade Commercial Klein wanzlebener. — This variety of seed rep- resents the highest grade of commercial seeds offered to the market. The results of culture show that the tendency of this seed to produce rich beets is extremely well marked. Two hundred and twenty-four beets grown on this plot, with an avenige weight of IS ounces, were selected as mothers. The mean content of sugar in these beets was 17.8 per cent, and the puritj'-, as seen by the table, is evidently high. These high-grade commercial seeds, therefore, produce a strain of beets almost as valuable for sugar production as the specially high grade seeds from analyzed mothers. Original Kleimcanzlehener {Holland.) — This variety of seed represents the Kleinwanzlebener type as cultivated to the highest degree in Hol- land. The tendency in that country seems to be to the production of a beet of small size and exceptionally high sugar content. Only a few of these high-grade seeds were planted, and this, together with their small size, accounts for the fact that only seven were selected. Tlie mean weight of the seven was 18 ounces, the mean content of sugar therein 19.2, and the coeflicient of purity evidently 86 or over. This variety produced the highest content of sugar of any cultivated, but on account of the small size is less to be recommended for general culti- vation in this country than some of the other varieties. Kleinwarizlehener FAite. — This variety represents the specially-selected seeds grown by Dippe Brothers, at Quedlinburg. The beets grow to a fine size, are of good shape, and have excellent qualities to recommend them to the manufacturer. Two hundred and eleven of these beets, having an average weight of 20 ounces, were selected as mothers. The mean content of sugar in these beets was 18.7 per cent, and the coeffi- cient of purity, as will be seen by the table, good. 158 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. CLASSIFICATION OF THE BEETS OF EACH VARIETY. It will be interesting: to study the distribution of the beets of each variety according to sugar content. This can be done by means of the following table: Variety. Number of beets laving contents of sugar from — 15 to 16 16 to 17 17 to 18 18 per cent and above. per cent. per cent. per cent. 65 20 23 4 7 16 32 94 4 8 5 3 11 14 5 40 1 4 5 47 19 30 64 107 1 9 50 6 15 24 165 Maximum polariza- tions of individual beets. Minimum polariza- tions of individual beet8. White Improved Imperial Elite Vilmorin La Plus Riche A'iliiiorin Inijiroved, Schuyler Seud. . 1 )(iii<'siiiay Viluioriu Improved Elite (Dippe Brothers) High Grade Commercial Klein- wanzlebeiH^r Kleiuwanzlebener ( Holland) Kleinwauzlebcuer Elite Per cent. 19. C 23.4 18.8 22.0 21.6 22.0 22. 2 22.0 Per cent. 11.6 13.4 12.4 9.6 10.6 13.6 18.4 14.6 PRESERVATION OP THE MOTHER BKETS. The spaces in the beets caused by the removal of the diagonal core for analysis were filled with cotton saturated with formaldehyd. The beets thus prepared were placed in silos, where they will remain until March. GROWTH OF SEED FROM THE MOTHERS ABOVE DESCRIBED. Since the pollen of the beet is easily transported, it is necessary that each variety of seed be grown in plots entirely removed from any danger of fertilization from other localities. In order to secure this, one of the varieties preserved will be planted, through the courtesy of Mr. William Saunders, superintendent of the garden and grounds, in the I)ei)artnient garden at Washington and arrangements have been made with the following experiment stations to grow one variety each of the remaining beets, viz: Maryland; Ithaca and Geneva, N. Y. ; Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa. As soon as practicable in the spring the silos will be opened and the beets forwarded to the stations above named for transplanting. The beets of each variety of different degrees of strength should be l)]anted as far removed as i^ossible from the other classes. For instance, the beets in the grade of 20 per cent of sugar should be planted far enough from other grades of the same variety to prevent intermixing of the pollen. In this way the strain of excellence can be best preserved. The beets which have been saved for mothers are to be divided into classes representing difi'erent degrees of saccharine strength, and each of these classes planted separately to produce high grade seed for future use. NECESSITY OP SEED DKVELOPMENT. It is highly imjwrtant for the rapid and safe progress of the beet- sugar industry ill this country that attention should be paid to the pro- duction of high-grade seeds. We have in the United States such great differences in soils and climatic conditions as to render it evident that BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES, 159 a single station for the production of seeds Avould not be sutticient. Beets of different qualities should be developed in different localities. The character of beets best suited to the flelds of New York and Wis- consin, for instance, would not be the ideal plant for the semiarid regions of Nebraska. On the other hand, it is evident that beets grown in an arid region, as, for instance, Chino and other valleys of California, without irrigation and with scarcely any rainfall, should have a longer tap root than those grown in localities where rainfall is abundant or irrigation is practiced. It seems plain, therefore, that three, if not four, stations should be established, and in order that this work nuxy be conducted under uniform methods these Stations should be established and maintained by the Department of Agriculture. One of these stations should be located in an area of average rain- fall and ordinary meteorological conditions as presented, for instance, by the States of New York and Michigan. The second station should be established in a locality where a defi- cient rainfall is to be expected, and where the vicissitudes attending meteorological changes are the greatest, as, for instance, in South Dalcota or Nebraska. The third station should be established in a region where irrigation is practiced, as, for instance, in Colorado, New Mexico, or Utah. A fourth station should be devoted to the development of a beet best suited to arid regions where irrigation is not practiced, as, for instance, in the coast valleys of California. It is only by a careful, systematic, and scientific development of beets suited to these different localities that we can expect to promote in tlie most favorable manner the development of the beet-sugar industry in the United States. It is evident that the continuation of the experi- ments which have been conducted by the Department of Agriculture for so many years in the analysis of beets and in the delimitation of areas suited to beet culture should now be supplemented by a more rigid scientific attempt to develop beets of characteristics best suited to the four typical localities which have been specified above. The maintenance of a small exi^eriment station entirely comjietent to accom- plish this work in each of the localities mentioned would not require a very great outlay of money and would result in the greatest possible good to the industry. STATISTICS OF AMERICAN BEET-SUGAR PRODUCTION. The information contained in the following table has been obtained through the courtesy of the beet-sugar factories: Statistics of the jJroduction of beet sugar in the United Statin for the year 1S97. Number of factories in operation 9 Number of acres of beets harvested 41, 272 Approximate average price paid for beets $4. 10 Approximate average per cent of angar in the beets 14. 49 Total i>oiinds of granulated sugar made 90, 060, 470 Total pounds of raw sugar made 431, 200 Granulated sugar obtained per cent beets 11. 56 Eaw sugar obtained per cent beets 0. 06 Total sugar obtained per ton (2,000 pounds) of beets pounds., ?32. 4 160 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. Statistics of individual factories for the year 1S97. Name of factory auil location. > u ri m o a O Tiiuo the machin- ery was in operation. o 13 S pg a- 3 •Jl Total output of granulated sugar. Alamed.i Sugar Co., Alvar.^(lo, Cal Cliiiio Valley Beet Sugar Co., Chino. Cal Kir.st New Voi k Beet Sugar Co., Rome, N. Y Oxuard Beet Sugar Co., Grand Island, Mebr Los Alamitos Sugar Co., Los Alaniitos, Cal Norfolk Beet Sugar Co., Norfc.lk, Nebr Pecos Valley Beet Sugar Co., Eddy, N. Mex Utah Beet Sugar Co., Lehi, Utah. .' A cret. 4,808 9,678 700 4,282 2, 800 4, 029 1,600 3, 000 10, 375 Tons. 48, 773 97, 197 4, 325 38, 007 29, 542 36, 113 5,700 18,500 110, 878 $4.00 (a) 5.00 (d) 4.16 id) 4.00 4.25 4.00 Days. 90 151 45 (d) 105 (d) 38 56 104 Per et. 14.20 15.10 (b) 12. 90 15. 73 13.60 14. 00 13.20 15. 00 Pounds. 10, 198, 648 24, 303, 122 c765,70l) 6, 798, 300 6, 017, 900 7. 941, 400 1,020,000 3 670, 600 Western Beet Sugar Co., Watson villo, Cal 20, 776, 000 Total 41,272 389.635 90, 491, 670 a$3.50 per ton for 12 i>er cent beets, and 25 cents per ton for each per cent above 12. The Chino fac- tory employed a saccharate proces.s. 6 Red beets, 5J to 12 per cent sugar; white beets, 13 to 17 per cent sugar. Average analysis not reported. c431,200 pounds raw sugar are included. d Not reported . REMARKS ON THE BEET-SUGAR STATISTICS FOR 1897. The past season was not very favorable to the production of beets in several localities in California and in New Mexico and Utah. Insuffi- cient rain in California at the time of planting resulted in a smaller acreage being planted to beets and in a small yield of roots per acre. The great shortage in the crop reduced the quantity of sugar produced in California below that of the previous year, notwithstanding the fact that the new factory at Los Alamitos was operated and that at Chino increased its output. The first New York beet-sugar factory was somewhat unfortunate in the varieties of beets selected. The red beets contained very little sugar, and undoubtedly decreased the output below what it should have been under favorable conditions. The white beets were of satisfactory sugar content. As may be noted by an examination of this re|)ort of the experiments made in the State of JSTew York during the past sea- son, that State is capable of producing beets of very great richness. The shortage in the out[)ut of sugar is to some extent due to a decreased acreage at Lehi, Utah, and at Watsonville, Cal., these two factories having a larger ciop in 1890 tlian they could work to advan- tage. In 1890 the factory at Watsonville produced nearly 20,000 short tons of sugar from approximately 150,000 tons of beets, and the past year 14,888 short tons from 110,878 tons of beets. The total produc- tion for the country shows an increase of approximately 5,000 tons in 1897 over that of 1890. The increase in the output of sugar next sea- son, should more favorable conditions i)revail in California, will be very large, since eight new factories, having a daily capacity of approxi- mately 0,700 tons of beets, will be in operation. The out])ut is reported in the tables in i)ounds of granulated sugar, since but one factory marketed raw sugar. The quantity of raw sugar produced does not materially modify the statistics of the production. REPORT OF SPECIAL AGENT Charles F. Saylor. LETTER OP TRANSMITTAL. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Special Agent, Washington, D. C, February 15, 1S98. Sir : I have the honor to present herewith, for your iuspectiou and approval, my report for 1897 as special agent and investigator of the sugar-beet industry, which is submitted in compliance with your instructions of April 10, 1897. Respectfully, Charles F. Saylor. The honorable the Secretary of Agriculture. The Experiments in Growing Sugar Beets in the United States in 1897.' The history of the experiments in growiug sugar beets is probably- net unlike that of any other agricultural i^roduct, except in this, it is more general. The sugar beet has so won its way with the farmer and business man in all parts of the country that it may now be said to enjoy national approval. Most other industries having an agricultural or horticultural founda- tion have seemed to require conditions that localized the interest in them. This, however, is not so with the sugar beet. The writer of this report spent the spring, summer, and fall in the field, thoroughly covering all the States and Territories west of Missouri Eiver, and, in addition, the States of Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michi- gan, and Illinois, and he has yet to find a State or Territory that is not thoroughly alive to the benefits of the beet-sugar industry and making efibrts to discover its resources in this direction. And why should this not be the case? We will offer below some of the causes which, in our opinion, have led up to what ajipears a national sentiment touching this industry. THE extensive CONSUMPTION OF SUGAR. The Department of Agriculture, realizing the diversified soil and climatic resources of this country and the benefits to accrue from the successful domestication of the sugar-beet industry, has undertaken as H. Doc. 396 11 161 162 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. a part of its active policy to secure to the peoj)le of the United States the business of producing $100,000,000 wortli of sugar now brought into it for our consumption from the other countries of the world. It is a proposition that the people are ripe to consider. The transfer of this vast amount of business to our people from the countries of Europe, carrying with it, as it does, the employment of so much capital and labor, not only in the raising of the beets and in the processes of making the sugar, but in the consumption of raw materials, such as fuel, lime- stone, etc., makes the proposition at once a national, financial, and labor issue. Our consumption of sugar has been rapidly increasing in this country. This is due not only to our rapidly increasing population, but to the fact that as our country grows older our people become more and more liberal in i)roviding themselves with the necessaries and luxuries of life. There is also to be considered the increase in use from the con- stantly growing demands of the arts and sciences. PRESENT STATUS OF THE INDUSTRY. ■1 The beet-sugar investigation of the United States, so far as the Department of Agriculture is concerned, is confined to a study of the adaptability of the various parts of this country for growing the beets and of our facilities for entering into the successful manufacture of beet sugar in competition with Germany, France, Eussia, and other countries which have achieved success along the line of this enterprise. At pres- ent the manufacture of beet sugar in this country is confined to Grand Island and Norfolk, Nebr. (under the control of the Oxnards), to Lehi, Utah (the Utah Sugar Company), and ranging down the Pacific coast, in the State of California, to four very extensive beet-sugar factories. The first factory is that of the Alameda Sugar Company at Alvarado, which was the first continuous beet-sugar factory in operation in this country, and has been- in operation under varying experience of profit and loss for many years, having, however, had a successful record for the past seven or eight years. The second is that of the Spreckles Beet Sugar Company, at Watsonville, Cal., about 100 miles south of San Francisco, which is under the management and ownership of Mr. Clans Spreckles, who contributed so extensively to the development of Hawaiian sugar interests. The third factory is that of the Chino Yalley Beet Sugar Company, at Chino, near Pomona, Cal., about 30 miles south- east of Los Angeles, under the control of the Oxnards. The fourth factory is that of the Alamitos Sugar Company, at Los Alamitos, about 30 miles southwest of Los Angeles, Cal., controlled by W. A. Clark and J, Eoss Clark, of Butte, Mont. At Eddy, in the Pecos Valley of New Mexico, is situated another factory. At Eome, N. Y., a factory started operations in the fall of 1897. This completes the list of factories now in operation in the United States. At Omaha, Nebr., in New York State, in Michigan, and elsewhere, arrangements have been made to establish BEET-SUGAK INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 163 factories, commencing with the next sugar-beet campaign. At Salinas, Cal., Mr. Clans Spreckles has made arrangements for constructing a factory with a, larger capacity than that of any other factory known in the world. The two Nebraska factories have a Capacity of about 300 tons per day each ; the Alvarado factory about 800 tons ; the Watson ville factory about 1,100 tons ; the Los Alaniitos factory about 350 tons, and the Chiuo factory 800 tons. Factories in this country are able to extract in the neighborhood of 11 per cent to 13 per cent of sugar from the gross weight of the beets, and sugar beets range in the average of their sugar percentage in the various factories from 13 to 16§. In Europe farmers are required to do a great deal of fertilizing, while in this coun- try we have sufficient lands to produce our sugar without fertilization — lands which will excel the production of Europe, both in tonnage and percentage of sugar and purity of beets 5 and now that Congress has arranged for a protective tariff, having in view the fostering of the beet- sugar industry, extensive experiments are being carried on in various parts of the United States in the culture and test of sugar beets. There can be but one answer to the question as to whether this country will eventually manufacture its sugar. We not only think that it will manufacture the hundred million dollars' worth of sugar that we now purchase, but we feel safe in predicting that, in this industry history will repeat itself, and the United States will be offering its sugar to the other countries of the world at a profit. Although the sugar industry has only had a run of about eight years in the United States in the few factories that have been established, yet, in that short time, those in control of these factories have revolutionized the process and materially improved the machinery ; the imi)lements of culture and the plan of agriculture in raising the beets have also been materially improved. In a few more years we will have so changed all the methods of growing, manufac- turing, and refining beet sugar that the conservative foreigner will hardly recognize it as one of his original industries. The growing of sugar beets is the reverse of almost all other kinds of farming, in that the point to be attained is quality rather than quantity; in fact it is not farming, unless we consider it of the most intensive kind. It is the highest type of gardening, requiring much labor and attention; and the real problem that we have to meet in this country is to get our farmers to appreciate this fact, and to understand that the growing of sugar beets stands out as a special agricultural problem. If beets be given judicious attention and be grown i^roperly, where the best condi- tions prevail, there is nothing that will reward the farmer so greatly, l^rovided he has a market through the medium of a factory; but if neglected, or not handled properly, there is no crop that will remind the farmer so forcibly of his failure in these particulars when the har- vest comes. There is no doubt that the United States has a wide and varied extent 164 BEET-SUGAK INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. of laud that will successfully grow high-grade beets, that the enterprise of the people of this country will appreciate this fact, and that in a short time all the sugar consumed in this country will be furnished by our own i^eople. The Sugar-beet Belt. Working- along the lines of the sugar-beet industry in the United States, it became a part of the duty of the writer to aid in establishing as nearly as possible a sugar-beet belt, comprising those regions in the United States which by their conditions of soil, moisture, and tem- perature will permit of the successful growing of sugar beets of a high grade of sugar content and purity. Of course, the sugar content, which refers to the percentage of sugar in the beet, will readily be appreciated as an important requirement by all. The purity refers to the constituent elements of the beet or to the absence of certain solids which are usually found in varying proportions among these elements. One demand of a factory devoted to the manufacture of beet sugar is a pure beet. Purity is not only intimately associated with the quality of the sugar produced, but it affects materially the process of extract- ing the sugar from the beet, and with aii excess of impurities there is a material loss in the amount of sugar obtained. It is hardly possible in the process to eliminate all these impurities. If these impurities are present to any extent in the sugar there will be certain odors that can be easily detected by those accustomed to them when the sugar is confined in packages, barrels, etc. These impurities also have the effect of discoloring the sugar, which can be readily discovered by experts in sugar testing. Hence, the farmer will always be met at the factory door with the demand on the part of the superintendent for pure beets. In fact, all contracts made by the manufacturers with the farmers for growing sugar beets demand beets of a certain sugar content and purity. The standard in this country is usually put at 12 per cent of sugar in the beet, with a coefficient purity of 80 per cent. The three natural conditions that influence this sugar content and purity most are the x)hysical properties of the soil; the moisture, either through irrigation or rainfall; and the temperature during the growing season. The sugar-beet region of the United States must, therefore, be such a region or belt as will admit of growing beets equal or superior to the above standard. In some of the bulletins and other publications issued by the Department of Agriculture on the sugar-beet industry a map has been published showing the region or territory in this country which, owing to the conditions of temperature through a series of years during the growing season, is particularly adapted to the growth of the sugar beet. This map was compiled from data in the Weather Bureau covering a series of ten years, taking 70° F. as the standard requirement for the growth of the beets during the growing season, which is considered to be June, July, and August; 70° F. was selec+ed because a study of the temperature conditions of the most BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 165 successful sugar-beet regions of Eurppe showed that this was the pre- vailing average temperature for a series of years during the growing season there. This map has been considerably misunderstood by the public generally and by some of those intimately associated with the stimulation of the beet-sugar industry. It has appeared to some as though it was intended for an outline of the sugar-beet belt in this country, although in the references to it in all of the publications of the Department of Agriculture it has been distinctly stated that this was only a thermal map, showing where only one of the required con- ditions prevailed, that of temperature, which seemed best adapted in Europe to the growth of these beets. Of course, when an arbitrary standard like 70^ F. is selected, the compilers of maps will have 'to draw their thermal lines as shown by the data on record, and it can be stated here that while this number of degrees may be the temperature condition demanded in Europe, still the fact that our conditions are so vastly different in other respects might modify the temperature demanded here. Under these circumstances, when we come to compile a thermal map in the" future, as demanded by our experience in the growth of the sugar beets, for a number of years, it may show a some- what different basis of temperature. This is all speculative, however, and future experience will probably give us a true temperature stand- ard. One thing that the writer wishes to impress upon all interested is that the map referred to was based on a thermal standard entirely. It was intended simply as a suggestion, and never to show the actual sugar-beet belt of the United States. It might be well to suggest in this discussion of the sugar-beet belt of the United States that the factories now in operation in this country, viz, at Eome, N. Y.; Grand Island and Norfolk, Nebr.; Lehi, Utah; Alvarado, Watsonville, Chino, and Los Alamitos, Cal., and Eddy, Pecos Valley, N. Mex., are all in the thermal belt shown on the map referred to. THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT. It will probably be interesting to the public to understand something of the policy of the Department of Agriculture with reference to the work it has inaugurated along the line of discovery of the actual sugar- beet belt of the United States — that is, to locate it by actual experi- ment and experience in growing the beets. These beets are to be tested for sugar content and purity, and then a study is to be made of soil, moisture, and climate. This will show the merits of each locality, after a series of experiments, where normal conditions prevail. In carrying out this policy 7 tons or more of sugar-beet seed were distrib- uted over a large portion of the country, and about twenty-eight States participated in the experiment. As a rule the seeds were sent to the agricultural experiment stations to be delivered to the farmers from lists made up by the experiment station in the State. Some mis- cellaneous lots were sent out under the direction of Members of Con- gress and Senators, who furnished lists of names. In these cases the 166 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. seeds were sent direct to the far;ner by the Department of Agriculture. In a few iu stances parties applied direct to the Secretary of Agricul- ture for the seed, indicating a strong interest in the enterprise, as well as a desire to test the growth of sugar beets in their respective locali- ties. In such cases the seeds were sent. Bulletins giving directions for cultivating and harvesting were distributed with the seeds. The writer of this was directed to secure lists of the names of all ])arties to whom seeds were sent and who were participating in the experiments, and then to visit as many such persons during the growing season as might be possible. He was to note such facts as might be of interest, and to make a general study of the conditions, both for growing the silgar beets and manufacturing them into sugar; in fact, to gather all general practical information possible toucliing this industry. As stated, the seeds were sent to all parts of the country, and the State experiment stations entered actively into the investigation, North, South, East, and West; so that the results of the experiments will not only show to some localities that they are well adapted to sugar-beet raising, but it will demonstrate to others, probably, that they are not. MODIFYING CONDITIONS. We will refer to some conditions other than temperature that modify tiie sugar-beet belt. The sugar beet, like other farm products, requires moisture, although we believe that it is generally accepted that the sugar beet will succeed with considerably less moisture than the ordi- nary farm products, such as corn, wheat, oats, barley, potatoes, etc. The beets grow in the Mississippi Valley ; in Nebraska they are grown commercially and under rain conditions. We have been informed by practical sugar-beet growers in Nebraska that the beets will succeed with considerably less moisture than is necessary fur the other crops named, some persons putting it at less than one-half. The writer's observation has been that this is true, provided the physical conditions of the soil are favorable. It is believed that the sugar beet does not require so much less moisture, but that it has a propensity and better facilities for get- ting moisture after it has gone deeper into the soil. The sugar beet will send its taproot down as far as 12 or 13 feet. It is not unlike alfalfa in this respect. If we have, therefore, the conditions of soil that they have in a large part of Nebraska along the Platte Valley, the sugar beet will readily get its moisture. The underlying soil in a large part of the sugar-beet district of Nebraska has a moisture-bearing stratum from 4 to G feet in depth, and it is not uncommon to hear farmers say "we get our first water from 4 to 6 feet from the surface." The soil being loose and sandy and the subsoil being suflSciently penetrable, the sugar beet readilj^ goes down to this depth. In its earlier stages it is aided in securing its moisture by ca]>illary attraction, which, induced by proper cultivation, brings the water up from below. It might be said that one of the ideal conditions for growing sugar beets is a soil having a sandy or porous moisture-bearing stratum such as we have mentioned. BEET-SUCrAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 167 Sugar beets are grown where there are both rain conditions and irrigation. Such is the case with the beets grown for the Lehi factory in Utah. The growth of the beet is started with rains, and moisture is continued with irrigation. Of course these are conditions which might modify considerably the sugar-beet belt. Sugar beets are also grown entirely under irrigation, as, for example, the beets grown for the factory in the Pecos Valley, New Mexico. As this country is to demonstrate to the Avorld what can be accomplished in the growing of sugar beets by irrigation, which has not been attempted to any con- siderable extent in Europe, it will probably show that irrigation will greatly modify our sugar-beet belt. Exi^erience has shown that sugar beets can be successfully grown by irrigation, and our experiments are now showing that in the vast areas in the arid regions of Colorado, Utah, Montana, and other States which have natural facilities for irriga- tion, a high-grade beet can be grown successfully. When this is known, there is no doubt that the enterprise of these localities will take advan- tage of this fact to extend their resources. Sugar beets are also grown successfully without either rain or irrigation. This is the case with nearly all of the sugar beets grown in California. The sugar-beet grower of California takes advantage of the fact that his soil is thor- oughly saturated with heavy winter rains and puts it in condition for planting the seed while the soil is sufficiently moist for its germina- tion. The beets secure their moisture for the remainder of their growth from the moisture-bearing propensity of the soil, which is not yet fully understood. This moisture-bearing propensity seems to come from the drainage of the mountains which are saturated during the heavy rains of the winter, as the sugar-beet region might be said to be on the coast side of the mountain ranges in California. These lands are called by the Californians 'klamp lands," and the drainage seems to keep up during the growing season. The grower appears to understand fully the effect of capillary attraction in raising this moisture during the earlier growth of the beets, and aims to keep a dust mulch by cultiva- tion to prevent excessive evaporation. There is a large region in Cali- fornia yet unimj)roved, and also some improved areas, which have con- ditions similar to those described and which can be utilized for grow- ing sugar beets; in fact, we believe that California has demonstrated facilities so extensive and conditions so favorable to the beet-sugar industry that this State will only be limited in production by the extent of its market, modified by freight rates and shipping facilities. PHYSICAL CONDITION OF THE SOIL. The physical condition and properties of the soil are features that might be considered as modifying the sugar-beet belt. There has been mentioned above, under "Moisture," the physical condition induced by subirrigatioD. Now, while a great deal has been said and written about the kinds of soil desirable for growing sugar beets, it does not seem 168 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. tliat enongli stress has been put upon the necessity of a desirable sub- soil. It has been seen that the plant strikes deep down into the soil; this is its habit, and conditions are favorable only when it can do this without obstruction or interference from a hard or tough subsoil. The subsoil should be of a porous and penetrable nature. Hardpans and other stiff subsoils are fatal to the success of the beet. In regard to the surface soils, it has been found that there are quite a number of such soils in which the beets do well. It is generally admitted that a sandy loam is best; clay loam is considered good; and dark loams are also considered good if they are free from elements that stim- ulate impurities. New timber and brush lands that are considered very desirable for corn, potatoes, and some other crops are undesirable. These lauds have a tendency to make a large beet and to give it too much opportunity for taking up impurities. Still, soils made from the disintegrated rock which has been washed down from the mountains into the valleys seem quite favorable for the growth of the sugar beet. The physical property of porosity is an important feature. The sugar beet generally succeeds well in any soil that does not become packed and hard, provided the soil does not contain undesirable plant-food elements. The best and only safe test of the soil as to its desirable or obnoxious elements is that made by experimenting with the actual growth of the beets in such soil. ALTITUDE. There is another class of influences that modify the sugar-beet belt. Take, for instance, altitude. There may be an extent of territory sufficient to support a beet- sugar factory where, on account of its alti- tude, the conditions are quite different from those prevailing in the surrounding country, and we have no doubt that there are a great many localities of this kind. It should be the aim of the people of these high localities, if they are interested in this industry, to test their conditions separately and apart from the experiments in other portions of the State. The trend of mountains and location of valleys modify mate- rially the season in localities. Take, for illustration, the sugar beets fur- nished to the factory at Watsonville, Cal. Some of them are planted as early as February and others as late as April. Some are harvested as early as the latter part of July and others not until the latter part of the fall; thus showing that in a very small scope of country there is a material difference in the dates of the beginning and ending of the sea- sons, as affected by mountains, prevailing winds, etc. It might be interesting to note here that there is an important economical point in this difference of season in connection with the beets grown for a par- ticular factory. It permits the factory to begin the harvesting of beets in the district where they ripen first and to continue the harvesting in districts according as they range in order of season. Of course, this BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 169 would not be true in any of the Mississippi Valley States, but it shows one of the advantages of the conditions prevailing in California. Mr. Cutter, manager of the Lehi (Utah) factory, says of Utah: "All localities in our State where the elevation is not more than 5,000 feet and where they have about the same kind of temperature the beets show good results in sugar and purity." Throughout different sections in Colorado sugar beets are grown at an altitude of G,000 feet. While talking with a gentleman at Glenwood Springs, Colo., who is very much interested in growing sugar beets in that locality, which is a very mountainous and broken district, we asked where he had grown those under the experiment he had referred to, he replied: "On top of the mountains you see around here." The Importance op the Industry to This Country. The annual import of sugar into this country is something like 1,800,000 tons. The valuation of this importation is over $100,000,000. We think that it will be generally accepted now as a fact that this sugar could be produced in this country at a profit. We believe that if the factories were built and in operation in those localities having the best conditions for the growth of the sugar beet, with the farmers thoroughly educated in its culture, the United States, with the supe- rior natural advantages mentioned, could enter into free competition with the other sugar-producing countries of the world. There will now be considered the home production of this amount of sugar under the present status of Government encouragement, which the writer believes is highly necessary to establish the industry. Leav- ing to the future the policy of the Government as to exercising a fostering care, we will suggest some of the great benefits that will accrue from this vast business of producing $100,000,000 worth of sugar. RENTS AND VALUES. The writer observed during his inspection of sugar-beet farms this summer that the owners of the land received in many instances as high as $5, in some cases $G, and in a few cases $7 per acre cash rent for land devoted to the raising of sugar beets, and this in localities where $3 per acre would have been the highest possible amount which could have been obtained as rent for similar land used for other farm- ing purposes. Inquiry was made particularly into the value of land on which sugar beets were being raised around Watsonville and Alva- rado, Cal., and it was rarely placed lower than $200 per acre. Eents were rated at from $10 to $15 per acre, yet these farmers claimed to be making a good profit raising beets. The sugar-beet lands of Utah were very much enhanced in value, so that the experience of this coun- try up to the present time seems to be that the location of a beet-sugar factory in a district causes a healthy rise in rents and values of lands. 170 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. HIGH STATE OF LAND CULTURE. Anotlier importaut feature that must not be lost sight of is the high state of cultivation to which the lauds are brought in raising sugar beets. The culture of the sugar beet must be considered really as the best type of garden culture. It requires deep plowing, careful pulver- izing, and more careful tillage. It is intensive farming in every sense of the word. The value of a year's work in raising sugar beets must not be estimated entirely by the money received for the beets after they have been marketed, but the wonderful effect it has on the succeeding crops, both as to quality and quantity, must be taken into consideration. The attention of the writer was drawn during the summer to the splendid condition of the soil where corn was being cultivated. The soil, which was absolutely clean from weeds, was soft and mellow, aud the effect on the growing corn was marked. The attention of the farmer being called to this fact, he remarked, "Why should it not be"? I grew sugar beets there two years ago." So we must realize that the exten- sive raising of sugar beets will bring the farms up to this high state of cultivation. It will also cause the farmer to observe the effect of this kind of cultivation, and will thus gradually lead to the same cultivation and better crops in localities where the sugar beet is not cultivated, resulting in better farmers in the future under the influence of the beet- sugar industry. To repeat, it will lead to better methods in the farming- industry generally by offering wider opportunities for more systematic and economic rotation of crops and the better balancing of nitrogen furnishers and nitrogen consumers. EMPLOYMENT OF LABOR AND DEMAND FOR CRUDE MATERIAL. The introduction of this industry into this country means the employ- ment of a large amount of labor, both directly and indirectly. The raising of sugar beets requires considerably more labor than any other farm product, and it is labor of such a kind and extent that no farmer doing considerable business could hope to perform more than a small portion of it. The farmer would receive enough for his beets to pay the expense in this direction, and of course would feel free to hire the labor, so that the raising of the quantity of beets sufficient to furnish the sugar demanded for our own consumption would call for the employ- ment of large numbers of the laborers whose eftbrts are now employed in other directions, thus greatly increasing the avenues of employment. The sugar factories themselves would require many employees. In these two directions alone many people would receive employment directly in the beet-sugar enterprise. In addition to this the factories will have demands which will call for an extensive employment of labor in other branches of industry. For instance, they will be exten- sive users of fuel, and this would mean the employment of miners on a large scale and the remuneration of mine operators in mining and mar- keting the coal. The factories will also require considerable coke for BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 171 burniug their limestone, which is demanded in large quantities for fur- nishing the carbonic-acid gas and lime necessary in the purification of the beet juices. Tiiis would require the employment by the coke pro- ducers of quarrymen and laborers. To build the factories and to i^lace the necessary machinery in them to meet this great demand for sugar would mean the employment of many laborers — mechanics in building and mechanics in machine shops — both skilled and otherwise. Then we must consider that all these crude materials mentioned must bo transported from their various sources of supply to the factories, and that after the beets have been worked and the sugar produced the fin- ished product must be put upon the market and hauled to its destina- tion. This means greatly increased freight transportation, calling for the further employment of labor. Then the extensive use of capital required in the building uj) and the carrying on of the industry is one of the most important factors to be considered. BY-PRODUCTS. There would be advantages to this country accruing from the beet- sugar industry in the stimulation it would give to corollary industries. After the juice is extracted from the beets we have remaining the beet cossetts, or pulp. This is known to be very useful and desirable feed for animals. In Europe it is extensively used in feeding. In this country it is gradually growing in favor as a desirable element in a well-balanced ration for animal feed. In another place in this report we shall give the views of a gentleman who is an extensive feeder of cattle and who has made many experiments with feeding beet pulp to animals in different rations against other animals that were not so fed, and he is very enthu- siastic in his praise of beet pulp as a feed for animals. Some factories in this country are enabled to dispose of their pulp to a greater extent than others. It depends largely upon the education or information those engaged in the feeding industry have acquired in this direction and upon whether they have had an opportunity of availing themselves of it. Farmers as a rule seem to be slow in taking hold, but where they do give the pulp a trial it becomes a popular feature on their farms after- wards. Around some of the factories comjianies have been organized and arrangements made for feeding on a large scale. They are depend- ent upon the demands of the farmers, and it can be said that the demand for the pulp is constantly increasing. It is probable that in a sliort time the demand will exceed the supply. It is found to be very desirable for cattle feeding as well as for sheep, and for dairy feeding it is ideal. Dairies and creameries follow naturally in the wake of fac- tories, and we think the introduction of beet-sugar factories in this country will afford the creameries and dairies an opportunity for pro- viding a ration for their cows which will secure the best results. Three dairies have started in connection with beet-sugar factories in the United States, and since we have from 35 to 50 per cent of pulj) from the original beet, depending upon the amount of pressure that is applied in extracting 172 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. tlie water before the pulp goes into silos or is hauled away, any factory will furnish a large amount of feed for the adjacent country, and it can be shipped by railroad or hauled profitably long distances by wagon. The pulp is usually preserved by placing it in silos at the factory, but it .has wonderful keeping qualities, which are advantageous. At Grand Island pulp three years old was used for feeding purposes which had simply been hauled out on the prairie in large quantities and left there. After a few inches of the top were scraped off the pulp seemed to be pure and fresh and palatable. In fact, we are informed that this pulp was preferred by the feeder. At present pulp is sold from 10 to 50 cents per ton, depending largely upon the demand for it. There are places where the factories are giving the pulp away to the farmers in order to get them to use it and thus gain a knowledge of its utility for feeding purposes, as well as to get it out of the way. The disposal of this pulp, should it not find an avenue in the direction of feeding purposes, would be a serious question to the factories. The farmer will find in the future that it is a cheap feed ; that he can conveniently store it and keep it; that he can easily prepare it for feeding and handling, and that feeding it will give good returns for a small outlay of labor and expense. During the summer the writer talked with a gentleman who had been examining the fiber of the pulp with a view to experimenting with it for manufacturing paj)er. What this will lead to we do not know, but it is probable that experience will discover other uses for it, possibly as desirable as for feed for animals. The more a farmer has to do with this pulp the more he will see that he can make it a thing of value. In this way the demand for the pulp will increase, and when this demand becomes greater than the suj)ply it will bring higher prices. While this will mean greater expense to the farmer, it will mean a better remuneration to the factory owner in his business, and the equilibrium between the farmer and the factory will be the better adjusted. MOLASSES. There is a very important residuum which occurs in the manufacture of beet sugar known as "molasses." This is an item of considerable importance, and it is receiving consideration at present, as it has since the industry was inaugurated. It has been and is desirable to keep this molasses at the lowest j)ossible minimum. The amount of this residuum left after the sugar has been extracted depends largely ujion the purity of the beets and the efi'ectiveness of the processes of the different factories. Of sugar, it still contains from 16 to 25 per cent of " boiled stuff"," depending largely on the purity of the beet and. as has been stated, the effectiveness of the process. It has a very bitter and disagreeable taste, because it contains all the impurities which were not eliminated originally from the juice, and also the impurities intro- duced during the manufacture of the sugar, and which could not be BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 173 wholly extracted. These impurities exist in a condensed form in this residuum molasses, and it is not to be considered in any sense as proper for human diet. The manufacturer looks upon it as an item of con- siderable importance, and he has been working with a viev/ of turn- inj>- it in some way to the profit side of his account. Experiments are being made in this direction. One set of experiments is to reduce the molasses to the lowest possible minimum. There have been difterent processes used for this purpose. We believe the " Steiten process" stands first. Considerable progress is being made in this direction, notably at Chiuo, Cal., where this process, improved by the factory, is being used with, it is understood, highly satisfactory results to the factory experts and superintendents. In the Stefifeu i)rocess the sugar in the molasses is converted into a compound by adding a proper proportion of finely pulverized lime to a l)roportion of the solution of molasses, and the whole is cooled down to a low temperature by means of ice. A tricalcium saccharate is formed, and this is extracted from the solution by passing the whole through a filter. The juice is then heated to a certain temperature, about 190° F., when a further precipitation of this calcium sugar compound occurs, which is known as hot saccharate. This is separated again from the juice by means of a filter ; the juice then is allowed to pass away in the sewer. The process deals further with this calcium sugar compound, which is sent back into the factory and suspended in solution of water, and carbonic-acid gas again introduced, which forms a union with the lime and precipitates the same as calcium carbonate. The juice is then further operated on in a manner similar to that employed for the regu- lar juice found in the beet. This description is given more for the general public than for the benefit of experts, but it is pertinent to state here that through this Stefl'en process the factories are able to secure a large part of the sugar in this molasses that has formerly been a loss to them. There does not seem to be any doubt about the eflect- iveness of the process. It is simply a question of the expense, and it is hoped that further experience and improvements in this process will enable the factories to i^ractically and profitably recover the sugar con- tained in this residuum. This matter has been mentioned here as an illustration of one of the sources from which the factories are hoping to reduce the cost of i)roduction. There are other processes being used to recover the sugar in this molasses, and the feeling is quite hopeful that one or more of them will finally be improved and cheapened to such an extent as to be available for the work, and that the final loss of sugar in the molasses will be very considerably lessened. The writer was informed by a technical superintendent of one of the factories that there is a process known as the "alcohol process" of working the molasses to recover the sugar, and that through it, if .the laws in this country were favorable to its use, this loss might be largely eliminated. In this process it would be 174 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. necessary to recover the alcobol by distillation after each operation, in order to save expense by nsiug the same alcohol over and over again in working the molasses. This, however, would be a violation of the internal-revenue laws unless the factories met the demands of the Government as distillers, and this they could not afford to do. ALCOHOL. The factories are also working along other lines to reduce the loss in this direction. They are trying to discover useful and valuable by-prod- ucts that might be manufactured from this molasses. One of the things that has been made from the molasses is alcohol. We believe that in some places in Europe they are making alcohol profitably from this residuum. Some of the factory people in this country claim that if the internal-revenue laws were more favorable and would offer more encouragement processes could be worked that would practically eliminate this loss in the molasses. FOOD FOR STOCK. A great deal has been done with the molasses in various mixtures to utilize it as a feed for stock by placing it in ground feeds and other rations. There are also places where it is mixed with leaves of the beet, and, after being allowed to stand in silos, is fed out in this way. It has been mixed with the pulp in certain localities. All these prob- lems have received more or less attention from scientific and agricultural journals, and are said to be attended with quite favorable results. These matters, however, will undoubtedly be thoroughly tested when the beet-sugar industry shall have been fully inaugurated in this country, and we simply suggest them here under tlie heading of " By products," so that the public may see in a general way that a beet-sugar factory may be useful in other directions than the direct production of sugar. FERTILIZERS. Molasses has been used more or less in restoring to certain soils those mineral elements which the molasses is known to contain, and it is understood that this has been attended in some cases with good results, especially in i)laces where the soil is defective in these elements. It has been stated that lime is used in large quantities in the production of beet sugar, from 6 to 10 per cent being used to the ton of beets. As the factories in this country have a capacity of from 350 to 1,000 tons of beets per day, it is easy to figure the large amount of limestone that is required. Most of this lime does service in a mechanical way, and results finally as a residuum. It will thus be seen that the facto- ries have large quantities of this waste product in a pulverized or soft state. In all of the factories except one this material is simply a waste as far as the factory is concerned. It is used 'to fill depressions and holes should any exist near the factory. If not used in this way it BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED 3TA.TES. 175 accamalates and forms large bulky ricks or piles, which are in the way of the factory. This waste lime would be very useful on some lands as a fertilizer. It can be easily hauled away by the farmer who has brought in a load of beets to the factory, and he can thus return to his home with a load of lime fertilizer for his farm. We understand that in Europe the value of this lime is appreciated and the output is largely used for fertilizing. Around most of the factories large feeding centers are being estab- lished. As a result there are large collections of manure, which are scraped out of the way and formed into piles. This manure is readily given to the farmer for removal, and a thoughtful, frugal, and scientific farmer can utilize his time, after delivering a load of beets, to no bet- ter advantage than by returning with a load of feed in the form of inilp, a load of manure, or a load of lime fertilizer. In this way his time is economized and his land profited and enriched. The beet leaves and that portion of the beet cut off in " topping " the beets are considered very valuable for feeding. It has been dis- covered that this course, however, has a tendency to exhaust the soil, and it is better to allow the tops and leaves to remain on the field to act as a fertilizer and thus preserve the soil. Much of the more valua- ble portion of the elements contained in the sugar beet which the soil needs for recuperation is in the top and leaves. This fact has become so thoroughly well known to the factories in this country that some of them even stipulate in their contracts with the farmer that the leaves and tops shall remain on the ground, which seems to be a wise provision. The United States as a Competitor of Europe in the Beet- sugar Industry. If we consider only those localities in this country that have the best conditions and facilities for taking up the beet-sugar industry and limit the territory simply to that portion capable of producing our own consumption of sugar, it might be said that the United States possesses some material advantages over Europe. NATURAL FERTILITY OF THE SOIL. One of the advantages in this country is the natural fertility of the soil. One of the strong items of expenst!; in producing sugar beets in Europe is the costly fertilization which must be resorted to in order to grow them. We have looked over many of the European estimates of cost of raising an acre of sugar beets and find that $10 to $20 is not an unfair estimate for this purpose. The beets grown in this country are produced from the natural fertility of the soil, and our agriculturists generally believe that this will be true for some time to come. 176 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. AMERICAN INGENUITY AND ENTERPRISE. From our history in otlior dii ectious in the past, and from the intor- ostinte(l in the beet-supir industry, it is fair to count the in<;cnuity and enterprise of our people as among this country's advantages over lOurope. Among the interesting things the writer observed in his visits to the beet sugar factories in this country during the past year was the rapidity with which our people are changing tlie machinery of the factories, shortening the processes and perlecting them by improving the machinery, and lowering the cost of production by simplitication. In this connection we might instance the factories of Lehi and Los Alamitos, all the nmchinery in which was made and designed in tlie United States, and it was with pleasure we noted that the factory i)eople generally looked upon these two Victories as models, especially the one at Los Alamitos, which was established later than the one at Lehi. It nuiy be said that the factories of the United States are kept np to date with all improvements in factory work, aiul a large portion of their resting i)eriod after each campaign is utdized in overhauling and re[)lacing some of their macliinery with the newest and best of its kind, it is interesting to note in this respect that a large part of this replacement is with American machinery. One tac- tory, after two years' use, took out iu one division machinery that cost $05,000, made obsolete by .\merican improved processes. This iinprove meut has also gone on in the implements used in the cultivation of the beet. A tirm in Illinois which, in the beginning of sugar-beet growing in this country, began a careful study of the needs and demands of the farmer in this respect, has put out a full line of implements to meet every demand of the sugar-beet grower, from seeding, through cultiva- tion, to harvesting. These implements have been improved and kept up to date and tbnn a wonderful and interesting comparison with tlie most modern implements imported from Europe. It was the writer's privilege during last summer to examine a cultivator imported from (lermany by a gentleman who had come here from that country, where he had been a beet grower on a large scale, to embark extensively in the growing of sugar beets, lie was growing at the time about I'OO acres, and asked the writer to inspect this cultivator, which he said was the most modern cultivator in (lerniany. It reciuired two horses to haul it, one man to guide or lead tlie horses, another to operate the guide wheel and keep the cultivator straight in the rows, and a third nnxn to manipulate the cultivator handles. Thus we see that to oper- ate this cultivator required a heavy team and three men. Four rows of beets were cultivated at onoe, and the work was successfully done. The same afternoon, while looking over the beet farm, we discovered an up-to-date American-made i-ultivator of the Illinois tirm above referred to. This cultivator was doing the Avork apparently as success- fully as the German implement and was not nearly so cumbersome. It was drawn by one mule and was handled by one man. It was BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 177 cultivating four rows, tlic same as the other cultivator, and it was the opinion of several beet growers present that this American cnltivator with one mule and one man was doing as mucli work and as success- fully as the other imi)Iement with three men and two large horses. Tlie same instincts tliat lead the American to ])etter his implements and improve liis macliinery will probably lead the American farmer into a closer investigation of the sugar beet to understand its nature, relation to the soil, and habits of growth, to the end that he may adopt more effective methods of cultivation. FAVORED MARKETS. Another item of material advantage to our peo[)lc is the fact that we live in a market that has to be supplied^ and the European has to transport his ])roducts a long distance to reach the same market. A great deal of the territory that is showing first-class <;onditions for growing sugar beets and for manufacturing them into sugar is located around our Great Lakes, and the great centers of trade are easily accessible at low freight rates through competition of railroads and water navigation, and with the choice of transportation by either. The above are natural advantages. The Fifty-lifth Congress at its tirst session placed a duty of 95 cents per hundred pounds on raw sugar not above 10 Dutcii stai'idard in color, and not above 75 degrees polarization, and then on a rising scale of 3.5 cents per hundred pounds for each additional degree for higher grades of sugar until it reaches 182.5 cents per hundred jKJunds on refined sugar of 100 degrees polarization. Where the sugar imported is higher in color than 10 Dutch standard, 12.5 cents per hundred pounds additional duty is charged. This is called differential. Where countries like (lerujany pay a bounty to the manufacturer of sugar there must be an additional amount ijaid on such sugar before it can be received into this country equal to the bounty paid on its produc- tion. In Germany this is 31 to 39 cents per hundred pounds, and in France it is more. This act puts all countries on an erpial footing when they present their sugar at our doors. It also gives the American pro- ducer the benefit of tiie fact that the foreign manufacturer must forfeit his bounty U) the United States Government before he can become a competitor with our manufacturers here. COMPARATIVELY SMALL AREA NEEDED. When we consider the number of acres needed to raise the beets for the production of our own sugar, in comparison with the vast territory of the United States, the amount seems small, and, indeed, the amount of such laud is small in comparison with the extent of our territory that i)ossesses conditions suitable for the purpose. The fact that we are in the infancy of this industry is to be considered an advantage at this time, in that it gives us an opportunity to select the best and most H. Doc. 396 12 178 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. resourceful section of territory for this industry. It should be our aim in buildiug up an industry of this kind, where competition is close, where we are really feeling our way, and where large capital is required to inaugurate it, to utilize our best resources in the pioneer work. As the industry works its way up, asserting its possibilities and demon- strating its trade relations, we can bring into action our reserve resources when it is found that we can enter the other markets of the world. It must be kept in mind by our i)eople that they not only have to meet the competition of other countries, but that they are entering into competition with each other in our own markets. There is, there- fore, the strongest necessity for intelligent study of resources before embarking in the enterprise. It requires large capital to inaugurate and start a factory. As time goes on we will know more about our resources in this direction', and those localities having the very best conditions should be allowed to demonstrate the fact. General Observations on Experiments of Last Year. We found, as a rule, that the farmers were going more upon their own experience and knowledge of growing field crops than they were upon the directions given them by the Department and experiment stations. They seemed to think that these directions were superfluous, calling for work that was difficult and requiring the planting and the cultivation of the beets in a manner that was totally foreign to their exi^erience, and therefore wrong. They failed to appreciate the fact that they were dealing with a new feature in farming, or one which they had hitherto neglected, and in modifying the directions they were vio- lating some of the fundamental i^rinciples on which the success of the sugar beet for factory purposes depends. They seemed to look upon the experiment of growing the sugar beet as a thing in which there was no remuneration, and, therefore, a thing on which they could not afford to waste much time. In considering the experiment of growing sugar beets during the i^ast year the general public may get an indica- tion of the first great difficulty the industry in this country is to meet and master, and that is the education of the farmer to the necessities of the cultivation required. With a view of offering a suggestion that may help in the future, some of the facts that came under our observa- tion in this work will be recorded, noting only experiments of growing- sugar beets on small plats on farms miscellaneously. experimental BEET PLANTS. It is the aim of the experiment to demonstrate the facts and condi- tions that might obtain in a general way by showing the result through efforts directed in a small way. The farmer, when he receives beet seeds, with the understanding that he will grow them on his farm, does so with the implied obligation that he will conduct the experiment according to the directions, whether they suit his notions or not. He BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 179 should kuow that the results of the experiment must stand on its own merits, whether good or bad, since it was undertaken simj^ly to gain the facts. Any other course than this is not only worthless as an experiment, but is misleading. When a place is to be selected for growing the beets the farmer should have in mind, first, such a plat of ground as will be typical of the region in which he lives. The plat should also be typical of his own farm laud, so that the results obtained will indicate what might be expected from his j)articular region or from his own farm. It was found that in selecting these plats it was too often the tendency of the farmer to take a piece of ground, either in his garden or field, which was not used, for one reason or another, in growing other crops. This plat of land would stand out as a sort of nondescript, and would attract his attention, the only basis of his decision for selecting it as a place to make the sugar-beet experi- ment. The objection to such a selection would be that it is not neces- sarily typical of any soils whose qualities he wishes to demonstrate. The folio wiijg are some of the reasons, selected from hundreds of the same kind, given by farmers visited for their choice of plats upon which to grow sugar beets: " It was three-cornered." " Too low for a garden." "It was recently heavily manured, and thought it would grow good beets." " It was a new clearing, and I thought I could grow good beets " (and yet there might not be a hundred acres of new clearing in the country). " I could not grow anything else on it, and I thought I would try beets." " I had that ground left when I sowed my oats, and this will square the piece." " I had that small piece left, and I did not know what else to plant there." The above reasons are entirely foreign to any which should have actuated a man in selecting a plat of land on which he was to make an experiment for growing sugar beets. As already stated, he should have chosen a piece of land, not the best or the poorest, but one that was typically representative of his farm and of the general farming region in his locality. PREPARATION OF THE SOIL FOR EXPERIMENTS. The preparation of the soil largely affects the success of the crop, and should be attended to with care. It should be the aim in growing sugar beets to grow them underground as much as possible. Any portion of the beet that appears above the ground is simply a loss. This is governed by deep plowing and close pulverization of the soil. The first plowing is generally done in the fall, followed by shallow spring plowing and harrowing. The soil is then ready for planting. It is sometimes rolled after planting, but this depends on the nature of the soil. The beet is now in a j)Osition to go down in the soil, in its earliest stages, with the least resistance. It was found that the farmers were loth to give the attention to the preparation of the soil which the proper cultivation of the sugar beet demands. Very few instances were found 180 BEET-SUGAR IVDUSTBT IS THE UNITED STATES. where farmers had i>lowex)or- tunity to do so the experiment demonstrates nothing. In the end, if the farmer Ls to go into the business of growing sugar beets, either on an extensive scale or in a small way, he will have to resort to the kind of plowing described above, and if he does not care to take the trouble to secure conditions under which the beets can only be successfully grown his efforts in experimenting are wasted and will only result, T)0s- sibly, in misleading him in the whole matter. This subject is treated of so fully because of the fact that so many failures in beet exj>eriment have occurred during the i>ast year that were due entirely to an abso- lute want of careful prex)aratiou of the soil and seed bed. While the ability of the American farmer as an agriculturist has been demon- strated, it must be stated tbiat before he can make a success of growing sugar beets he must abandon some private notions that he has on the subject and study the methods of cultivating the beets on the lines laid down by the long exi^erience of thase who have grown tbem extensively and successfully for factory jiurposes. PLAlCTINa Uf EXPEEEttENTAL BEDS. The beet i>lant must be limited in its growing space. If not it is liable to l^ecome too large. It must not have too much opi)Ortunity to take up from the sod those constituent i>arts known as impurities. Exj)erience in Germany, France, and other countries has shown that the beets should have just so much space and no more; and yet in most instances where beets were grown for experimental purposes by the farmer the rows were x>laced 30 or more inches apart, fre^^iuently planted the same width as corn rows. In a great many instances they would be trrown in one or two long rows, and in some places the beets were spaced out in the rows so that they would show up in rows two ways and could be plowed in two directions, like corn. To the query why the rows were not placed closer together and the beets nearer to each other in the row the answers were: '• We have plenty of ground, and it is not so valuable here that we have to crowd the beets together like they do when they grow sugar beets in Washington." " We plant them that way so we can i)low and cultivate thenj.^ "Nobody could cultivate beets where the rows were only 14 to 16 inches apart.*' These and similar answers showed that the idea was simply one aa to value and BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 181 amount of land necessary for the experiment or having the beets arranged handily for cultivation, losing track of the fundamental prin- ciple involved — that to raise pure beets and get successful results generally they must be grown close together and limited to the si^ace which experiment has directed. CULTIVATION OF EXPERIMENTAL PLATS. To grow sugar beets successfully, supposing the conditions to be favorable, the soil must be kept free from the grasses and weeds and the ground stirred so as to allow the air to do its work in conjunction with the sunshine and moisture in order to secure from the beet the results tbat are desirable after it has matured. This is where some of the laborious efforts necessary in growing the sugar beet successfully are expended. The soil is not to be kept simply passively clean, as would perhaps be only necessary for corn, jiotatoes, and some other crops. It must be kept clean in every sense of the word, as clean as a well-regulated garden. It was found to be too often the case with the plants where beets were being grown from seed sent out by the Depart- ment of Agriculture and the experiment stations tliat weeds were allowed to grow and stand. The plats were neglected for almost every other part of the farm. In talking with the farmer in these cases it was ferson goes along the rows, and with a sharp hoe cuts out the surplus plants in the row, leaving the plants in bunches from 6 to 10 inches apart, according as may be desired. This is followed by the person who does the thinning, who crawls along the rows on his hands and knees, and, selecting the most thrifty plant in a bunch, takes it between the first two fingers, with the back of the hand toward the ground ; then with a quick movement of the fingers of the other hand he grasjjs the surplus plants and removes them from the soil. This is one of the most laborious features of sugar-beet raising. It can be done by girls and boys from 12 to 16 years old, who are very active in the work. In fact, this kind of labor can be used to a great extent all through the various stages of the cultivation of the beet. We have known farmers in their earlier experience with raising sugar beets who looked upon this thinning out as a great waste of seed, and would try the experiment of planting less seed the next year. This experiment usually ended in disaster, especially if the conditions for germinating the seed happened to be not very favorable, and it is not customary for the farmer to repeat this experiment very often. THE TIME FOR THINNING. It is a very serious mistake to allow the plants to become too large before they are thinned, and we noticed that the agriculturists at the different factories were x)articular on this j)oint when scanning the work of the farmers who were growing beets for the factories. There is a tendency of the plants, where they are grown close together, to twine around each other, and the principle to be observed in thinning beets is to remove the surplus i)lants, leaving the plant that is to mature intact in the soil, disturbing its roots as little as possible. If other plants are twined about the one that is to remain in the soil, the larger these entwining plants become the more the entwined plant is disturbed in thinning. The beet plants send out their laterals very rapidly, and in thinning out the surplus plants these roots are liable to be more or less disturbed. The larger the beet that is to remain in the soil the more likelihood there is of its being disturbed, so that this thinning process must not be neglected. The beet plants that are to remain can be set back three weeks in this way, and in a dry season a number of the plants are likely to be killed, thus affecting the " stand." BEET-SUGAK INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 191 CULTIVATION. We have said considerable about cultivation in discussing the " Soil and preparation of the seed bed,*' as well as in describing the imple- ments used in cultivation, and we wish to state now that harrowing is to be very strongly recommended in the cultivation of sugar beets. Three things must be kept in view in this cultivation : First, the beets must be kept absolutely free from weeds and grasses, so that the beneficial effects of the sun and air maybe fully realized ; second, the ground must be kept loose for the same purpose; third, in case of dry weather the soil must be kept stirred, in order that a dust mulch may be sus- tained to prevent evaporation of moisture. Frequent hoeing by hand is highly beneficial to the croj). HARVESTING. The time of harvesting is governed by the time of the ripening of the beets. This riijening is made apparent by the outside leaves of the plant taking on a yellowish tinge and drooping to the ground. An experienced eye soon learns to detect a field of ripe beets that is ready for harvesting, the whole field being colored to this yellow tint and the leaves showing this drooping tendency peculiar to the matured plant. The beets have now finished their work, and the next step of the grower must be governed by his locality. If he is in a locality where there is a probability of rain, the beets must be harvested and placed in silos. This would be the case in most of the sections where rain conditions prevail, such places usually having strong rains in Septem- ber and October, followed by more or less warm days. The effect of the rain will be to cause the beets to begin growing again and new leaves will soon be noticed starting out, as well as new lateral roots from the beet in the soil, all the beets showing a general tendency to a second growth. Serious damage to the crop will soon be done in this way. The sugar content of the beet goes down materially and its impurities increase, so that if the rains are marked and followed by warm days, it is possible for a whole crop to be lost, so far as their fitness for factory purposes is concerned. SILOS. It is the custom in localities of this kind to haul the beets to the fac- tory if possible, and if it is not x)ossible to do this they are gathered and placed in long ricks or piles on the surface of the ground. The base of these ricks or piles is from 3 to 3 J feet, with a height of 3 to 4 feet, tapering toward the top. Along each side of these ricks several furrows are run with a stirring plow in order to loosen the dirt. The ricks are then completely covered with this dirt by the aid of shovels. This covering is put on to the depth of about 6 inches, occasionally air spaces or ventilators being left on the tops of the ricks, which are usu- ally made by the use of tiling or small elongated wooden boxes or 192 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. simply straw, the purpose being- to prevent fermentation. Storing the beets in this way is called siloing, and the ricks or piles are called silos. These silos are closely watched, in order that no heating may occur and cause fermentation, which lessens the sugar content of the beet, and they are opened occasionally for this purpose. It is the aim of the grower, as already stated, to get his beets to the factory as soon as possible, but this will depend on "his turn." In case he is delayed in this way until cold weather comes on, these silos are covered with straw manure, straw, or something of that sort, and then an additional amount of dirt is thrown on the straw covering. In this way it has been found that the beets will keep in very good condition until the last of January, if necessary. It might be stated in this connection that it does not necessarily fol- low that the beets are lost even if they should be frozen solid, as the factories can readily work them frozen ; and, in fact, some factory super- intendents have told us that they prefer to work frozen beets. The one thing to be guarded against in the case of frozen beets is that they must not be allowed to freeze and then thaw. In California, where rains or freezing are not liable to occur, after the beets have ripened and have gone into this state of rest they are allowed to remain in the field until the grower is notified by the factory that his beets must be delivered, when they are harvested and taken to the factory. Thus the exi)ense of siloing is avoided. HARVESTINa IMPLEMENTS. Harvesting is accomplished by means of an implement especially prepared for the purpose. We have seen several kinds of these imple- ments, all of which seemed to do the work admirably. In some places it is done by means of a long slender plow, which Avorks on the principle of the stirring plow. It goes deep down into the ground with a sharp plowshare. This plow is run close to the beet in such a way that the share cuts the taj)root just below the enlargement of the beet, at the same time loosening, lifting, and laying it on its side. Another har- vester, instead of having a share, has two prongs, one of which passes on either side of the lower portion of the beet root; the space in front between the two prongs being larger than that in the rear, causes the beet root to be forced into the smaller space between these prongs as they pass by, and the beet is lifted bodily 3 or 4 inches and the tap- root broken. As the plow i)asses on the beet drops back into its place loosened and ready to be lifted from the ground by the hand. Follow- ing the plow are persons who pick up these beets and by one stroke with a large knife made for the purpose sei)arate the crown of the beet together with the leaves. This is called " topping," and it is the aim of the person doing this " topping" to make the cut where the line of the beet shows that portion has projected above the ground. Where the beet has been grown entirely under the ground only enough is cut BEET -SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STA.TES. 193 off to carry with it tlic crown and tbe leaves. If the beets are to be sent to the factory at once, the " topper " simply throws them in piles, from which they are taken and placed in s;icks and put in wagons for delivery to the factory. They are s jmetimes thrown loosly into the wagons from the piles. Most of the factories, however, luive arrange- ments for qnickly handling the beets. Some of them have wagons pro- vided with nets for receiving the beets, and upon reaching the factory these nets are taken from the wagons by the aid of machinery, and their contents dumped into the beet sheds. At other factories the wagons are hauled upon an elevated driveway, which is arranged i-u such man- ner that the portion on which the wagon rests can be tipped, and the wagon tipping at the same time, the load of beets is precipitated into the beet sheds. By either of the above methods the beets in the wagons are very quickly handled at the factory, and the advantages of these arrangements can be appreciated when it is known that long- lines of wagons, loaded with sugar beets, stand ready at the factory to be handled. Either of these arrangements quickly dispose of many wagon loads, and teams are not required to w^ait long, as would be the case if unloaded in the ordinary way of shoveling out of the wagons into the shed. IRRIGATION. It has been stated that beets can be grown successfully under irriga- tion conditions, and in fact two factories in the United States, one located at Lehi, Utah, and the other at Eddy, in the Pecos Valley, New Mexico, secure their beets entirely through irrigation. There is a large amount of land in this country available for this purpose in Western Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Montana, Wyoming and other States having like conditions; and this industry is one that should appeal to these sections on account of their already well-known grazing resources and the fact that stock feeding and dairying are so intimately related to the beet-sugar industry. The first beets that were over suc- cessfully raised by irrigation for factory purposes were grown at Lehi, Utah. We believe that it is maintained in Europe that beets can not be successfully grown by irrigation — at least it is seriously questioned — but the experience at Lehi, Utah, and Eddy, N. Mex., has forever exploded this theory. There are a few things that must yet be learned about the application of irrigation to growing sugar beets, but these obstacles are fast being overcome, and the two factories mentioned are teaching the world lessons along this line, and in doing this are demon- strating the possibilities of the vast resources of the territory in the West having like conditions. Irrigation is especially adapted to rais- ing sugar beets where the particular region is favored with rainfall in the earlier stages of planting time. The ground is moistened through rains, and in this way the seeds are germinated and sttirted on their first growth. Experience has demonstrated that irrigation should be H. Doc. 390 13 194 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. held off as long- as possible and applied as little as possible. Water should not be applied by irrigation until the natural supply has failed, and even then the grower must be careful not to apply too much. Too much is as disastrous as not enough. We have learned by talking with those experienced in the application of water by irrigation of the tendency of the land to dry out quickly after being irrigated and of the ground to become packed, so that cultivation must follo\y as soon as practicable after irrigation. It has been noticed that the beet has a tendency to send down its taproot deep into the soil, and especially is this true in the earlier stages, if the necessities of tbe case demand it in order to procure moisture; and this is to be desired. If water is applied too lavishly in the beginning this tendency of the beet is arrested, and it shows a disposition to rely on artificial supply of water rather than to seek its own, and we have thus interfered with a natural tend- ency that is desirable in the growth and maturity of the beet. The effect will be, under these circumstances, that the taproot will divide and the beets will become bunchy and sprangle out, assuming a form entirely undesirable. The beet may show a tendency to slightly droop its leaves and to become lighter in color, but this does not indicate that irrigation is needed. If the beet recovers its vigor in the evening it is a sufficient indication that it is getting along all right. When it comes to suffer from drought the tendency will be to droop and get darker in color, and it will not apparently recover vigor witli the approach of the cool of evening. This is the time to consider the question of applying irrigation. We have noticed two methods of irrigating beets, either of which seems to accomplish the work successfully. One of them is to plant the beet in rows, say, Irom 18 to 20 inches apart, and then when it is desirable to turn. on the water, a small furrow is run between every other row by the use of an implement made for this purpose. Tlie water is then turned on and allowed to trickle down these furrows. This causes the water to pass down on one side of every row in the field, and leaves the space between every other row that is not so fur- rowed. When it becomes necessary to apply water again a furrow is made between the rows not furrowed before, the former furrow having been leveled up by cultivation. The second plan is to plant the first two rows the usual widtli apart, say, from 14 to 20 inches, and then the next space between the other two rows will be considerably wider, say up to 26 inches apart. This wider space is entirely .for the purpose of having an irrigating furrow, which is made in similar manner to the one described above, the wider space occurring between every couplet of rows. In either case water can be held in these farrows by throwing a shovelful or two of dirt into the furrow in front of the water until the ground becomes thoroughly saturated around the beets, and then the obstruction is removed and continued down the farrow. Of coarse the supply farrows are condacted along the higher places and the cross furrows arranged in such a way that all parts of the iield are reached. BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 195 This simply suggests that the grower in the application of water by- irrigation must thoroughly understand the science of economically dis- tributing the water in the field, which is a question too broad to be entered into here, but by experience the farmer becomes more or less adept. In regions where the beets are started in the spring with moisture from rainfall it is the aim of the grower to produce his crop with four or five irrigations of the beets. After they begin to ripen all irrigation must cease, for the same reason that it is not desirable to have a rain- fall after the beets are ripe. SUBIRRIGATION. Simply as an interesting observation of one of the wonderful provi- sions of nature, we will call attention to the moisture conditions under which beets are grown on the Pacific Coast. As has been stated, beets are grown there without the aid of either rainfall or irrigation. There seems to be some sort of mechanical provision of the soil for holding the -moisture precipitated during the winter, and gradually letting it out during the growing season of summer. This same condition prevails in the eastern part of Washington and in many sections of what might be called the arid regions, so far as the amount of rainfall is considered. In a trip made between Spokane and Pullman, two towns in eastern Washington, we saw some splendid fields of wheat, oats, and crops of like nature, but we wish to refer especially to the wheat, which both in quantity and quality was superior to anything we observed anywhere else in the United States. These fields of wheat were located on hills, which in some cases reached the magnitude of small mountains. All over the sides of these elevations and on top of them were growing these fields of wheat, that were yielding from 40 to 60 bushels to the acre of fine quality, and, indeed, it was believed that on the top of the hills the crops were doing better than on the other portions, if possible. Now, the rainfall during the growing of these crops was hardly worth mentioning, and yet this wheat had grown, matured, and was harvested as described. We could not imagine for a moment that such crops could grow on such hills anywhere in the Mississippi Valley under any conditions with which we are acquainted. We think that these crops are due to the inherent tendency of the soil to retain and emit moisture. We believe that experts and scien- tists are unable satisfactorily to explain this phenomenon. We have called on some experts for an explanation, and they state that they are working on the problem, but so far are unable to solve it. One of these experts informed the writer that he had noticed a place where a second growth of tobacco and other succulent plants had occurred, and right in this spot an 80-foot well had been dug without the slightest show of water. Scarcely any rain had fallen in this locality since the early spring. We can only say that the moisture is there in the ground and 196 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. is given out to the plants, as has been described in the case of the flne wheat crop. These peculiar conditions prevail over extensive sections in the western mountain regions, as well as in the part of Washington referred to, and along the coast of California. It is under such condi- tions as these that they grow sugar beets in California for the factory. BLIGHT IN BEETS. We noticed during the inspection last summer that in some sections, especially in the arid regions, where beets were raised by irrigation, that the beets were liable to be affected by disease or blight. This disease seemed to attack the taproot at a considerable distance under the surface and then gradually work up through the body of the beet, the lateral roots feeding the beet and keeping the leaves green during the progress of the disease. The diseased part would rot completely, and finally the whole beet would be consumed in tliis way, the disease generally completing its work when the beet was about two-thirds grown. After this the leaves would die, the disease having consumed the beet, and thus killed the lateral roots which had fed them, .A very sour odor could be detected during the prevalence of this disease. We are not prepared to say whether this blight is peculiar to irrigated beets or not, but we found this disease throughout the regions where the beets were grown by irrigation. We found irrigated fields, how- ever, where the crop was not affected in this way, and some fields where the beets were only slightly affected. If the disease is due to irriga- tion, the people who irrigate will have to tell us by experimenting with the disease how to overcome it. It seems that the trouble was caused by intensely hot weather and irrigation together, and it occurred to the writer that if the colder days and nights were selected for the time of irrigation as far as possible, it would be better for the beets. On this point Mr. Cutter, of Lehi, says : " Irrigation has nothing at all to do with the blight of root on the part of beets. There has been blight of beets in several localities this year, whether irrigated or not. It is simply a secondary consideration; the primary cause being the lack of moisture." CONDITIONS IN THE SPRING OP 1897. In the Mississippi Valley the ground was too wet for the early jilant- ing of the sugar-beet seed, hence the planting was delayed and the spring season of 1897 was unfavorable. In northern Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin unusually late frosts occurred, which affected the beets. We believe the spring was quite favorable in iSTebraska for the growth of the beets. Throughout Colorado, Utah, and the coast region there was an unusual drought at the time when the seeds should have been planted, and the conditions were quite unfavorable for the raising of a crop. Cutworms very luaterially attected the young plants in South Dakota, and in the northern section BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 197 of New Mexico insects attacked to an alarming extent the sugar beets being grown for the factory at Eddy, in that Territory. It might be stated, therefore, in a general way, that the year of 1897 was not a very favorable one for the sugar-beet crop. VALUE OF CROP. We have considered the question of raising sugar beets, the different methods applied in cultivation, and the agricultural problems to be worked out in connection therewith. We will now consider the value of the crop. The worth of a crop of beets to the farmer will be different in differ- ent localities. In order to encourage the growing of sugar beets some of the States have offered a bounty, say $1 per ton, or so much for every ton of sugar produced. In some cases the bounty is to go to the farmer, and in other cases it goes to the factory, with the condition that the factory will pay the farmer a certain price for the beets. The usual price of beets outside of this government encouragement is $4 per ton — that is, where the beets are purchased straight without reference to their purity or sugar content, except that they be standard. It is usual for the factory to establish a standard to which all beets that are deliv- ered must come, and before they are received the beets are tested for this purj)ose. This standard usually requires that the beet shall con- tain 12 per cent of sugar and show a purity coefficient of 80 per cent. Beets lower than this standard are rejected or docked. Some other factories purchase beets from the farmer and pay for them according to the amount of sugar contained. Such factories usually fix 12 j)er cent of sugar as the basis upon which they will pay, say $3.25 to $3.50 per ton, increasing the price 25 cents for each additional 1 per cent of sugar shown in the beet. For instance, if $3.60 was the price for standard 12 per cent beets per ton, and beets should be delivered that showed 14 per cent sugar, the farmer would be paid $4 per ton, and for beets showing 15 per cent he would receive $4.25. The amount of beets that can be grown per acre will depend largely, like other crops, on the stand and responsiveness of the soil, as well as the cultivation the crop has received and the favorableness of the sea- son during the growing time. It is difficult to state accurately what the average tonnage per acre should be. As stated, this varies for different localities and different seasons. It would be safe, however, to put the average crop at from 10 to 14 tons of beets per acre, and the maximum and minimum at 30 and G tons. A great many estimates have been made as to the cost and profit of growing sugar beets. These, again, will vary in different localities and seasons, as well as for different people. Some ])ersons will not accomplish tbe same results with the same amount of effort that others will. In this connection, two estimates, one for beets grown for the factory at Lehi, Utah, made by the factory superintendent, Mr. Granger, and the other for 198 BEET-SUGAB EfDUSTRT IX THE FXITED STATKSb beets grown for the factory at Norfolk, ^ebr^ are presented. The following is Mj. Grangers sraremeut. and the writer. si>eakiDg from personal acquaintance, presents the ngnres as entirely tmsTworthy: The fignrcB girea below are not theoTetieaL bnt represoit Um aetaal cost pez- aoe of the -vroik vitii wages at $3.50 to f3 per dav for man and team; $1.25 to $1.50 per day for nan, and 50 cents to$l per day for boy^^ Fall plowing. 12 inches deep $2.75 Pnlreriiin^ in spring - — LOO Boiling 25 Planting - 35 Fifteen ponnds of seed, at 18 cents 2.70 KoIIrDg previous to thinning - 25 CnltiT3ting previon? to thinning - 50 numing - 4.50 HoeiBS alter thmntng 2.00 Fnzrowing ont for inigatioa twice, at 25 cents 50 Irrigating twice, at 40 cents tO Cnltivating after irrigation twice, at 50 cents 1.00 Plowing beets oat at harvest time 1-50 Polling beets after plow 2.00 Topping 13 tons, at 35 cents - 4. .55 Sacking and hauling 13 tons (Smiles), at 65 cents tf-lo Total eipenses - 33.10 Yield. 13 tons, at $4 (this price paid at Lehi; 52. w> Xet profit per acre IS.VO The above fignrcs may, in some instances, be subject to slight changes, bat is tlte aggregate they are eoriect. The very conserratiTe estnaafee of only 13 tms per aeie is used bere ■exety to show what size crop can be made to pay welL By figuring on a yield of from 18 to 35 tana per acre — ^which is not at all extrava- gant — the possibilities of the crop may easily be recognized. A great nnmbo^ of fxaxMSts who raise beets for the Utah Sngar Company m^e a net profit of frun $30 to $50 -per aoe, after allowing themselves and faoiOy fhll wages for all w(xk done ob tike cropu The following is a statement of expense and net rettirns firom 41^ acres of sugar beets grown at Council Bluffs. Iowa, by H. C. Graves & Sons, and shipped and delivered to the Norfolk Beet Sugar Company, at Norfolk, ^ebr. : Stmiemeui •/ eiprsar. cast. aa«. i PrnKiBsmaczes ««.«• $L» Bat^E^aadAinii^pbatB 15il» it» TTrriiatm- hr h«^ 3a-«* : -W — '^'\r^attt I le-W ' s.s» Cattrradag we^lr £<>r six weeks 137.S5 i.3i jadtappogbykud 2K-'» «■» ^i^rtoe^rr^... 2SS.SS Cl» Se3l^ -!!-. 1*^» XU Marki^Ky SS-'S -« TMd 1.3»aL» 31-33 Fragktto5«^Uk.Xctr..«aT17JTtMB,at$lJ5 9erna aW-H Total M«« of crop Ud dovm ia SozMk 2.19S.n BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. l99 Statement of ret to- )is from beets. $5 per ton for 654.1 tons $3,270.50 Allowance received and for tops for cattle feed 229. 67 Rebate to ua on shu'inkage iu shipment 24.00 Total receipts 3, 524. 17 Cost 2,196.71 Jfet profit for nse of land 1 , 327. 46 This gives $31.98 per acre for use of ground. Total acreage, 4U; total tonnage, 654.10; average tonnage to acre, 15f ; average tare, 8.83 iier cent; average sugar content, 14.39 jier cent; highest purity, 84.2 per cent; lowest sugar content, 11.8 per cent; highest sugar content, 17.1 per cent. The following figures show net result if wo coulil have delivered to a factory at Council Bluffs and saved shipment to Norfolk: Gross weight of beets at this end before shipment 1, 513, 330 Gross weight of beets at Norfolk after shipment 1, 435, 200 Shrinkage in weight iu shipment, 5.2 per cent, or 78, 130 Leaving a net loss to us in shrinkage in weight $171. 82 "We paid in freight 896. 71 Net loss to ns because of having to ship beets 1, 068. 53 Net profit as shown above after shipment 1, 327. 46 2, 395. 99 Showing that we could have made $2,395.99 if we could have delivered to a Council Blufl's beet-sugar factory. This would have been a profit of $57.73 per acre. A sugar manufactory at Council Bluffs having a capacity of 300 tons of beets per day will produce almost 6,000,000 pounds of sugar in a season. It Avill pay to the farmers for beets, at $4 per ton, $112,000. It will give employment to 150 men in the factory, in additio.n to 500 or 600 men, women, and children in the beet fields. Beets grown here this season tested as high as 17.1 per cent, and averaged almost 15 per cent, which is fully 5 per cent above requirements of Gei man beet-sugar manu- factories. There are many thousands of acres of land adjacent to Council Bluffs fully as well adapted to sugar-beet raising. [Note. — The amount received for the beets is too large, according to present prices, which are about $4 per ton. The above parties received $5 per ton on account of the State bounty of $1 per ton paid at that time, so $1 per ton should be deducted. Attention is also called to the hea^y freight charges iu the above statement, which are due to the tact that the beets were hauled to the cars and shipped nearly 100 miles. The item of '• hauling to cars" is equivalent to the delivery to the factory. — C. F. S.] BEET SEED. The question of buying beet seed is one of considerable importance. There is a disposition on the part of the people to be dissatisfied with the custom of importino- the larger portion of our seeds. The feeling seems to prevail generally that these beet seeds can easily be, and' shonld be, grown in this country. This is a spirit to be commended, but when it is understood that the growing of sugar-beet seed is one of the most intricate features of the whole enterprise, retiuiring a large investment of capital and the application of considerable scientific knowledge, it will be readily seen that it will be some years before the United States will have fully established a safe and reputable sugar- beet seed production. These seeds are not produced in the same 200 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. manner as ordinary garden seeds, such as cabbage, turnip, lettuce, etc., simply by planting out the beets and harvesting the seeds at the end of the year. They are produced in a series of plantings, and, according to the best information, it takes five years to realize a crop of sugar-beet seed after the series has begun. The series is required in order to pro- duce seed of a high grade and sure quality, and is the result of testing and selection. The sugar content and quality of the beet is held up by this constant testing and selecting, and it is a matter of vital impor- tance. The sugar beet, as such, is of too recent origin to have its habits of sugar producing so thoroughly fixed tliat we can depend upon it. These are facts that we must be absolutely sure of, as they lie at the foundation of success in the sugar-beet enterprise. Under these cir- cumstances we must depend upon the old established and thoroughly equipped firms of Europe to produce our sugar-beet seed until such time as we can gradually and safely raise our own seed. There are undoubtedly firms in Europe which will, whenever they can, impose a poor quality of seed upon the American or any other j)urchaser. It becomes a matter of the greatest importance to the people in this country to be sure of the character of the firm from which they intend to j)urchase sugar-beet seed. Buyers sliould surround themselves with all possible safeguards in these transactions. In the first place they should understand thoroughly the responsibility of the firm, and in the nest place they should buy seeds in original packages when they pur- chase abroad, and should demand an official certificate showing a te^t of their quality, germinating power, etc. When these seeds are intended to be used in quantities, they should be thoroughly tested as to their germination upon arrival. Seeds can be imported wholesale into this country for about 9 cents per pound. We understand they have been bought recently for next year's use for something less than this. When we shall be able to safely produce our own seed, it will undoubtedly be to our advantage, as the tendency will be to build up, establish, and perpetuate the sugar-producing habits of the plant under our own climatic conditions. Factory Conditions. Conditions that would largely apply to the agriculturist or farmer in answering questions as to whether he was in j)osition to profitably grow sugar beets have been considered; but in considering the beet- sugar industry there is another side to the question, which might be called the factory side. It might be possible to grow successfully sugar beets, and yet the local conditions might not be favorable to operating a factory, and without a factory the farmer has no market for his beets. He could only use them as a food for stock. So we will consider some of the necessary factory conditions. BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 201 QUALITY OF BEETS. One of the first things that every factory will consider is the quality of beets grown in the locality that must supply the factory. As has been observed, the effectiveness of the process, the quality of the finished product, and the expense of operating the factory depend largely upon this point. The more impurities, or such elements as are recognized as impurities, contained in the beet, the more difficulties there are in extracting the sugar. It should therefore be the aim of everyone investing in a factory for the production of beet sugar in this country to require the best conditions in the matter of purity of beets as well as a tonnage that is remunerative and profitable both to the manufacturer and the farmer. It is along this line that the Depart- ment of Agriculture and the agricultural experiment stations in the several States are working industriously and earnestly in order to be able to offer reliable information to all concerned. PURE WATER. A factory requires large water facilities. For a factory having a capacity of 350 tons of sugar per day (which is considered about the minimum in this country for a factory working under favorable condi- tions) there should be a permanent supply of about 2,000,000 gallons of pure water a day. In the first place, water is used as a medium of con- veyance for bringing the beets from the beet sheds, which in many cases are several hundred feet away from the factory. These sheds are connected with the factory by canals about lA feet wide and 2 feet deep. The bottoms of the sheds are arranged on an inclined plane, so as to allow the beets to slide into the canal as they are needed. In some instances the beets are shoved into the canal by workmen. Sufficient water must be allowed to flow through these canals* to flood beets and to carry them to the receptacles in the factory arranged for receiving and washing them. The water performing the service of transporting the beets is permitted to pass through a grating into the sewer. Water is also extensively used all through the factory for steam power and other operations of the machinery and in the process of manufacture, and, since the work of the factory is largely for the purpose of elimi- nating impurities in the beets, the water used in these processes must be of such quality as will not increase these impurities, and thus add to the difficulties of the manufacturer. (See under "Lime and water for beet-sugar factory purposes," pp. 205-207.) FUEL. Fuel is another item that should be carefully considered as one of the conditions necessary in establishing a beet-sugar factory. In manu- facturing a ton of beets into sugar about 2 or 3 per cent of coke is required and 13 to 15 per cent of coal. The coke is required for burn- ing the limestone, and it may be used for i^roducing carbonic-acid gas, 202 BEET-STJGAB INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. which is obtained by the combustion of coke and cliarcoal in ovens specially prepared for the purpose. It will readily be seen that fuel is a factor that is closely related to the matter of economy in a factory, since it is one of the heavy items of expense. In California crude petroleum is used to a large extent for fuel. This oil is found in the southern part of the State, and its use compares favorably, so far as economy is concerned, with coal in the districts whore the latter is mined. As fuel, it is well adapted to the factory work. It is cleaner and requires less labor to handle it. In these respects it makes up largely for what it lacks in cheapness. It has been claimed by some sections that in heavily wooded districts cheap wood can be used to advantage. We are not prepared to state as to the desirability of wood for fuel in this connection, but it would be well for those entertaining this view of the subject to investigate it thoroughly. The price of coke in the districts already manufacturing beet sugar, or beginning the work preliminary to doing so, ranges between $4 and $13. Some of the districts can supply coal to the factory of sufQcient quality for the purpose at 75 cents to |1.L'5 per ton, and it costs in other districts already manufacturing, or intend- ing to do so, from $3 to $4 per ton. These differenc^es in prices of fuel, when considered in connection with other items of expense that enter into factory work, will be strong factors in the jnanufacture of beet sugar further along in the history of the industry in deciding the contest when competition becomes active. It should be the aim of every local- ity to study fully these points. LIMESTONE. It has been noticed before that the factory is a large consumer of limestone. This stone is burned in the factory in a specially arranged kiln. It is well understood that in the process of burning limestone carbonic-acid gas is driven ofl", and the object of burning the lime in the factory, instead of buying the ])rcpared lime, is for the i)urpose of securing tliis carbonic-acid gas, which is used in the i)rocess of manu- facturing the beet sugar as Avell as the burned lime. The burned lime is put into the juice, either in a jjowdered slate or as milk of lime, as the first process after the juice has been sufiiciently warmed. The object of this is to have the lime unite with the impurities in the juice both chemically and mechanically, and then by injecting the carbonic- acid gas, by bubbling it through the limed juice, a union of calcium and the carbonic-acid gas is effected. This forms calcium-carbonate, the substance originally started wdth in tlie limestone before burning. This carbonic acid gas, it will be remembered, was secured by burning limestone and then collected, after having been driven off, for the pur- pose stated. In this process is seen the nice adaptation and application of the principles of science, by which the crude stone is separated into its elements, one part placed in the juice of the beet to perform a cer- tain function and another part injected again, and after uniting the two in the process forming the original substance, which holds in its grasp BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 203 the impurities that were contained in the beets. The whole is then removed from the juice by forcing the juice, under high pressure, through a very finely woven cloth called a filter. Now that we know the use for which this lime is required, the suggestion naturally follows that this limestone should be pure. It should not contain any of the elements which the sugar maker believes to be deleterious to the quality of his product. It should be a pure limestone, and since it is extensively used, it should be a cheap stone, and one that could be obtained near at hand. It is therefore necessary, in studying the conditions of a locality with a view to establishing therein a factory, that we should consider very carefully the quality and cheaijness of its limestone as well as its supply. (See under "Lime and water for beet-sugar factory purposes," pp. 205-207.) MARKETS. It naturally follows in any factory enterprise that a market is one of the conditions necessary to its success. In investigating the conditions necessary for establishing a factory it is requisite to have fully in mind its accessibility to trade centers; also whether the transportation facili- ties are suflBcient to permit it to compete with other localities more especially favored in these respects. We might mention as sections having ideal conditions of this kind the lower peninsula of Michigan, which has shown good conditions for raising beets and a disposition of the people to embark in the enterprise. The finished product in the factories here would be available for some of the best trade centers in the country, such as Detroit, Milwaukee, Chicago, etc., and it would have the benefit of transportation by water through the Great Lakes as well as by the network of railroads which extend in every direction. These insure cheap freight and offer facilities for shipping the product to market quickly. What is said of this locality might be equally true of Indiana, New York, and other localities having similar conditions. Localities taking upon themselves the responsibility of maintaining factories should study these facilities under the best conditions, because these are the questions that will meet them in competition on the market. ORIGINAL COST. It requires considerable money to build a factory, and as the original cost of improvements is the larger portion of the investment, we must include iu our estimates of the cost of production the interest upon the money so tied up. Tlie cost of building materials is also an item that demands careful consideration. It is one, however, upon which it is easy to make comparisons. PERMANENT AGRICULTURAL CONDITIONS. One must make a thorough investigation as to the general agricul- tural conditions of a locality when considering the establishment of a factory. It will be impossiblo to raise sugar beets continuously on the 204 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. same tract of land, as is the case with other crops, and a locality is best suited to raising sugar beets as a permanent enterprise that can secure a series of rotation of crops. We have in mind a locality that is now raising sugar beets extensively for the fiictory that can not, it is claimed, successfully raise anything else, and experience is evidently showing, what all good agriculturists would predict, that the farmer there will come to grief before long. If something is not found to rotate with the sugar beet, where the sugar beet alone is grown, the result will be a lessening of the tonnage and purity of the beet. In considering the successful growing of sugar beets, we include not only the conditions that insure the permanency of the enterprise, but such a well-balanced series of rotation of crops as will readily restore the soil to its pro- ductiveness and make the permanency of the sugar beet jjossible. In the case of the sugar beet a large part of the work of its cultivation can not be accomplished by the aid of machinery. For instance, when the plants have reached the point that is called " putting out the fourth leaf," the beets must be " bunched and thinned." It will be recalled that the farmer is asked to sow from 15 to 20 pouuds of seed per acre; 3 or 4 pounds would do the work, however, if he was absolutely sure that all the seed would grow. This larger number of pounds is used in order to be sure of a " stand," because a "stand" he must have. This places the beet seed in rows close to each other, say, touching each other, and it can be readily observed that all of the beets must not be allowed to grow. It therefore becomes necessary to '' thin out." This has been described under " Thinning and bunching," p. 190. The success of the crop after the bunching and thinning depends largely upon the thoroughness of cultivation — careful hoeing and weed- ing. The field must be kept clean and free from weeds, not only with the cultivator, but with the hoe and hand. So that another condition that affects the iiermanency of beet farming in a community is its ability to furnish the necessary labor. Large cities and towns are usually depended on for labor of this kind. Boys and girls, from 12 to 16 years of age, on account of their suppleness and nimbleness, are employed for this purpose in many sections, and seem to stand the wear of the labor better than adults. It requires all the fortitude of a community in establishing a beet-sugar factory to meet the first shock when the revelation of the amount of labor to be performed in raising the beets first dawns upon them; it is so out of proportion with what is usually necessary in growing other crops. We do not wish to be understood as trying to unduly alarm any one in this tlirection, but think it is but fair that sufticient emphasis should be put upon the point in question, in order that it may be fully understood before such responsibilities are assumed. If we were to write the history of the beet-sugar enterprise in the United States, a large part would be devoted to a statement of the vexing and trying experiences of the manufacturer and the farmer in arriving at a solution of this labor problem. But our factories now in operation have met the difficulties, BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 205 and through exi)erience our farmers have learned what is required in growing this crop. They have also learned that they can receive enough mouey for the crop to enii)loy sufficient labor to do the work, pay all other expenses, and still have a handsome profit. Lime and Water for Beet-sugar Factory Purposes. We have often been asked by organizations and others interested in the beet sugar industry, desiring to investigate closely the facilities and resources for this purpose, " What constitutes a good limestone and good water for beet-sugar factory purposes?" For the purpose of answering this question we quote the following papers from "A handbook for chemists of beet-sugar houses and seed-culture farms," prepared by Guilford L. Spencer, D. Sc, of the United States Depart- ment of Agriculture: SALTS IN SOLUTION AND THEIR EFFECT IN WATER USED IN SUGAR MANUFACTURE. The condensation waters from the multiple efl'eots, vacuum pans, etc., form an ahundant and very satisfactory supply of water for the boilers. The water for the diffusion battery should be as pure as possible and should con- tain a minimum amount of calcium and magnesium salts and of the salts mentioned below as melassigenic. The calcium and magnesium salts, notably the bicarbonates and the sulphate of calcium, foul the heating surface of the battery and evaporat- iug api^aratus. The bicarbonates decompose lo some extent in the diffusers and deposit the normal carbonates upou the cossettes and probably influence the diffusion unfavorably. Tho water should not contain more than 10 parts per 100,000 of cal- cium sulphate, otherwise incrustations may form at some stage of the concentration of the liquors. Pure water should also be used in slacking the lime, though for economy of sugar and in the evaporation certain wash waters containing sugar, etc., are used for this purpose. The most important melassigenic salts are suli>hates, alkaline carbonates, and nitrates. The chlorides are rather indifferent as regards the formation of molasses. SUGGESTIONS ON THE DESIRABLE AND UNDESIRABLE COMPOSITION OF LIMESTONE USED IN SUGAR MANUFACTURE. The difficulties usually encountered in the management of the limekiln are as follows: A limestone containing too much silica will show a tendency to fuse, and if overheated will adhere firmly to the walls of kiln. Stone in too small pieces, or stone and coke not properly distributed, or stone with an excess of coke, will some- times "scaffold," or bridge. The above conditions soon prevent the downward progress of the stone and lime. These difficulties are obviated by the use of suitable stone, properly mixed with the coke and evenly distributed in the kiln, and by the withdrawal of lime at regular intervals. Should the charge "scaffold" in the kiln, it can only be broken down by the withdrawal of a considerable quantitj' of material at the lime doors and energetic use of an iron bar at the "peep-holes." The use of too little coke or the too rapid withdrawal of lime results in an undue proportion of underburned or raw lime. The admission of too little air to the kiln results in an imperfect combustion and an excess of carbonic oxide in the gas. This carbonic oxide not only is a loss of carbon, but, if carelessly inhaled by the workmen, may result in serious poisoning. The addition of too much air dilutes the gas. This latter may result from leakage in the pipes, careless charging, or from driving the gas pump too fast. The following table contains valuable information relative to the quality of the limestoiie. 206 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. Analyses of limestones and comments ' on their composition. [Messrs. Gallois and Dupont, Paris.] Substance. Moistnre Sand, clay, and insoluble matter Organic matter Soluble silica Oxides of iron and alumina (FesOs, AljOs) Carbonate of calcium (CaCO^) Carbonate of magnesium (MgCOs) . . . Sodium and potassium (NajO, K2O).. Undetermined 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 P.ct. P.ct. P.ct. P.ct. P.ct. P.ct. P.ct. P.ct. P.ct. p.ct. 4.10 .5.10 7.25 4.15 4. 17 6. 25 5.16 0.52 1.21 0.11 4.50, 5.15; 4.90: 2.15 3. 07 3. 17 2.25 2. 85 .55 .27 1.20 1.17 1.37 1.05 .97 1.12 .86 .30 .41 .15 2. 10 1. 75 3. 30 1.05 - 98 . 64 .56 .06 .20 .03 .37 .41 .27 .17 .19 .15 .20 .32 .23 85.86 85.12 81.67 90. i;i 88.65 87.93 90.03 93.80 96.58 99.10 .95; .47 .59 .75 .95 .50 .45 1.81 .50 .05 .06 "".65 .10 .45 .01 .87| .77 1.00 .24 .39 .34 .32 .34 100. 00 100. 00 1 100. 00 100. 00 100. 00 100. 00 100. 00 100. 00 100. 00 100. 00 N08. 1, 2, 3, and 4 are bad, Nos. 5, 6, and 7 are jiassable, and Nos. 8, 9, and 10 are excellent. Limestone No. 3 was used in a sugar house, and caused much trouble, notably, "scaffolding," difficulty iu the mechanical filtration, incrustations in thetriple effect and on the vacuum-pan coils. No. 9 was substituted for this stone, and these difficulties disappeared. In the examination of a limestone, its physical condition as well as its chemical composition must be taken into account. The stone should be compact and hard, thus reducing the quantity of fragments and the risk of " scaffolding " in the kiln. Excessive moisture, 5 per cent or more, in the stone reduces the temperature of the kiln when charging, involving an imperfect combustion and the production of carbonic oxide (CO); further, such stones break into small pieces under the influ- ence of the heat. A small proportion of water, apjiroximately 1 per cent, probably facilitates the decomposition of the stone, and is advantageous. Magnesium is not objectionable, so far as the operation of the kiln is concerned, except in the presence of silicates, but it introduces difficulties in the purification of the juice and forms incrustations on the heating surfaces of the evaporating appara- tus. It forms fusible silicates at high temperatures, and thus increases the ten- dency to "scaffolding." The objections to the sulphate of calcium are practically the same as to magnesium. The objections to the presence of silicates are, as indicated above, in the formation of fusible silicates of lime and magnesium. Part of the silica passes into the juice with the lime, retards the filtration with the presses, and coats the cloth of the mechanical filters, to their detriment. Silica also forms part of the scale on the heat- ing surface. Less harm results from this substance in hard limestones than from that in soft stone; hence, if the stone be hard and compact, a larger content of silica is admissible than in a soft stone. When necessarily using stone of comparatively poor quality, the best obtainable coke should be employed. MELASSIGENIC SAI.TS. The following salts are positive molasses makers, that is, salts which promote the formation of molasses:^ Carbonate, acetate, butyrato, and citrate of potassium. The following have no influence on the formation of molasses and are classified as indifferent: Sulphate, nitrate and chloride of potassium, carbonate and chloride of sodium, calcium hydrate, valerate, oxalate and succinate of potassium and oxalate, citrate, and aspartate of sodium. 'Mr. Cutler, manager of the Lehl factory, Utah, says: "We would regard as a good quality of limestone one containing from 95 to 98 per cent of carbonate of lime and not more than one-half to 1 per cent of silica." -This is to be avoided, because the more molasses the less sugar. BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 207 The negative molasses mnkeis, that is, salts which promote the crystallization of sucrose, arc sulphate, nitrate, acetate, butyrate, valerate, and succinate of sodium, sulphate, chloride, and nitrate of magnesium, the chloride and nitrate of calcium, and the a8i)artate of potassium. LIME ROOKS AND M'ATERS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BEET SUGAR. The following pa])er on the lime rocks and water used in the manu- facture of beet imgpr is by Mr. G. S. Dyer, superintendent of the beet- sugar factory at Los Alamitos, Oal. : I give below tlie analysis of three types of rock: Constituenta. Calciam carbonale ......... Majineaium carbonate Iron and alumina Silica, sand, etc Moisture Organic matter and. MgS04 Undetermined Good (Colton). Per cent. 98. 000 .453 1.096 .281 .054 ,116 Passable (Oro Grande). Per cent. 94. 306 1.845 .929 .900 .038 .701 1.281 100. 000 Bad (A French). Per cent. 81.67 2.50 .27 8.20 5.25 1.37 .04 100. uo Moisture is tlie first important point, as it takes just that much more coke to drive it off, and, besides, it causes the breaking of the rock while undergoing cooking, also the resulting dnst helps to cause the massing of the kiln. Hard rocks contain but little water, but soft ones may contain as high as 20 per cent. Hygroscopic rock should be sheltered from the rain. If possible, do not use rock that contains more than 2 per cent of moistiue. Silica and aluminum present gieat inconvfenienccs, inasmuch as these two sub- stances form silicates and aluminates of calcium and magnesium during calciuation, causing an insoluble coat to form on the outsides of the liuie lumps that prevent it from slacking readily. The silica that enters the juice is broken up by the action of the alkalies and is precipitated on the tubes of the evaporators. Magnesium is not particularly harmful in quantities not to exceed 3 per cent; if more, it silicates in the Ijurning, and if abundant causes a false alkalinity of the juice besides incrusta- tions on the tubes of the evaporators and vacuum pan. Calcium sulphate presents the same faults as magnesium, and proportionately lowers the saline coefficient of the product, thereby hindering the crystallization of sugar. It is well also to avoid a rock that decrepitates badly during calcination. A great many times the rocks can be mixed to good advantage — hard and soft. What has been said about the iudivicJual composition of the lime rocks can be applied to tlie water as well. It is needless to say that the purer the water the bet- ter. The water used at Alvarado has 22.5 grains per gallon; Lebi, 21; Eddy, N. Mex , 17.2, and Los Alamitos, 20. Just what the extreme limit would be I am not prepared to state, probably in the vicinity of 35 or 40. The mineral matter takeu into the juice in this manner amounts to considerable when one stops to think that an ordinary factory uses about 200,000 gallons in twenty-four hours. By using condensed water from the evaporators the troublesome scale in the boil- ers is very much improved, and at this particular plant this scale, which formed for the whole season of one hundred days, was not of the thickness of ordinary note paper. 208 beet-sugar industry in the united states. Answers of Factory Officials to Questions Relative to Factory Work. Dnriiig the investigations of the past year certain questions were propounded to the superintendents, managers, and experts of the beet- sugar factories with the view of gaining information touching the mechanical and practical problems incident to the factory side of the beet-sugar industry. The public generally is not so much interested in the particular person as it is in the fact that the answer was made by one thoroughly exi^erienced in the operation of a factory; hence, the official answering is given after each answer, which is therefore worthy of consideration as coming from good authority. The number of each answer refers to the order in which the factory was visited. The questions and answers are as follows: What do you i)ay farmers for the siojar heeis^ (1) We pay $4.25 per tou lor beets, and we pay a part of the freight, which brings the price of the beets up to something like $4.50. — (Supei-intenilent.) (2) We pay $4 per ton for beets. AVheu we receive a bounty we pay $5 per ton. — (Assistant superintendent. ) (3) We pay $4 per ton for beets. — (Sui)erinteudent.) (4) We pay $4.50 per ton. — (Superintendent.) (5) We pay $3.50 per tou for beets showing 12 per cent sugar content and 80 jiercent purity. — (Manager.) (6) We pay $4.50 per ton for beets as they run. — (Manager.) Hoxv much does the recent improrementin machinery reduce the cost of making sugar 'i (1) Saves cost and time. — (Superintendent.) (2) We are malcing sugar cheaper than ever. — (Assistant superintendent.) (3) Quite materially. — (Superintendent.) What tvould be a fair estimate of the cost to the farmer for raising the beets and delinir- ing them to the factory? (1) I would say that the average cost to the farmer for raising and delivering a ton of beets would be ordinarily, Avith a good crop, from $2.50 to $3 per ton. — (Super- intendent.) (2) It will cost the farmer from $25 to $30 an acre. — (Assistant superintendent.) , (3) It will cost from $23 to $30 per acre. — (Superintendent.) (4) It costs our farmers iibont $23 an acre. — (Superintendent.) (5) It will cost our farmers from $20 to $25 to produce and deliv(ir an acre of beets. — (Manager.) (6) It will cost the farmers here from $25 to $35 to jjroduie and deliver an acre of beets. — (Manager. ) WTiat is the average rent that farmers have to j^ay for sugar-bcrt land? (1) The rental per acre for good sugar-beet land in this vicinity is^ from $10 to $15 per acre. — (Superintendent.) (2) The farmers usually give from one-fourth to one-lifth of the crop. — (Assistant superintendent.) (3) The rent is usually from $15 to $20 per acre. In some places, however, it is as low as $4 per acre. — (Superintendent.) (4) The farmer usually gives one-fourth of the crop delivered, which would mean usually $9 to $12 rent per acre. — (Superintendent.) (5) Our farmers give from one-fifth to one-fourth of the crop. Very little Jand is rented on the basis of so much per acre cash rent, — (Manager.) BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 209 (6) The land is largely owuetl by a compauy, aud they sell the laud to the farmer, who raises his own beets. The compauy either hires its owu beets raised on the rest of the land, or if it rents receives one-fourth of the crop. — (Manager,) [Note. — In Nebraska good sugar-beet laud rents at from $4 to $6 per acre. — C. F. S.] What do you do with the pulp f (1) We have a large creamery here that uses considerable of the pulp aud the farm- ers are begiuuiug to use it quite extensively. The pulp is fed to cattle and sheep. The cattle readily eat about 100 pounds of pulp pt'r day aud 15 pounds of hay, the sheep eating in proportion. They make excelleut beef and fatten in a short time; the meat is much sought after at home and iu Easteru markets. — (Superintendent.) (2) Sell one-half for 10 cents per ton to cattle company and some to farmers. The latter demand is increasing rapidly. The remainder is disposed of as waste. — (Assistant superintendent.) (3) Give it away mostly aud sell some of it. Most of it is used by the farmers; they are trying it. — (Superintendent.) (4) Some of our pulp is hauled away as it is produced ; some we are siloing aud arranging stock yards where it will be used iu feeding. Some dairies are using the pulp aud the demand from farmers is growing stronger. We sell it to-day at 50 cents per ton. — (Superintendent.) (5) Our pulj) is contractetl for by another company, which sells it to cattlemen; 1,500 to 3,000 head of cattle are fed here. The creameries are using some. The farmers are using very little. All of our pulp is consumed in this way. Itfis better feed after standing for a while. — (Manager.) (6) We fed our j)ulp last year to cattle. This is a great cattle country and we will dispose of all of our pulp in this way. — (Manager.) What do you do with the molasses f (1) We do nothing with the low-product molasses, but we have now contracted to sell it to a compauy for from 1 to 1^ cents per gallon to be used in the manufacture of alcohol. — (Superiutendent.) (2) Nothing. — (Assistant superintendent.) (3) Nothing. — (Superintendent.) (4) We use the "crystallization-in-motion jji'ocess," and aim to extract as much sugar from the molasses as possible. After the i)urity drojis below 60 we throw it away. — (Superintendent.) (5) We use the Steflens process in the manufacture of sugar. We have a special department in the factory for working up the low-product molasses, aud through this process we are enabled to extract most of the sugar. — (Manager.) (6) The low-product molasses is thrown away. It contains from 50 to 53 per cent of sugar. — (Manager.) What is the cost of making beet sner day. Each estimate is based on one hundred days as the length of the "campaign," or the time the factory will be engaged in working the beets for the year. ESTIMATE OF A BEET-SUGAR FACTORY OF 300 TONS CAPACITY PER DAY. In presenting these estimates for your consideration ^e beg to call your attention to the followiiig- points, to wit: Our figures are leased on first-class brick buildings, constructed as nearly fireproof as possible, also brick smokestack and Al boilers. We include in our estimate large beet sheds, sugar storehouse, limekilns, ofiice, and laboratory, including outfit.. We figured on the latest improved, most modern, and labor-saving machinery and apparatus, eitlier foreign or American manufacture, to make white granulated sugar direct from the beets without refining, and have also included in oirr estimate a process for the working up of all afterproducts during the campaign, which latter arrangement is quite an item of cost. The whole plant to be of the very best and latest design and workmanship, and so constructed that its capacity can be easily enlarged at the minimum cost and for the special purpose of saving every possible item of labor and expense. Our estimates, although very conservatively made, are to be taken approximately, because correct estimates of the cost of a plant, of expenses, and profits vary so widely with varying conditions in the diff'erent States (as to cost of fuel, labor, material, beets, etc.) that it is impossible to submit here a more detailed estimate, We may add that we figured on a campaign of one hundred days and one hundred nights and based the amount of product and profit on 12.7 per cent yield of the weight of the beets, which is the general average yield of sugar beets in America. Estimate of coat, running expenses, and profits of a ieet-sugar factory of capacity of 300 tons of heels x>er day of tiventy-four hours. Total capital needed, not including cost of laud for factory and additional buildings, which site should be 15 to 20 acres, to be about $315, 000 Running capital : The capital required to operate the factory to be , 30, 000 Usually the bills for fuel, lime, and other materials and work are paid at the end of every month, and it is the same with farmers in regard to payment for their beets. Sugar, as one of the most required staple arti- cles, is sold for cash or on short time, and every day 38.10 tons, or 76,200 pounds, of sugar will be ready for sale. The company should at the end of each month have suflicient money collected from their sales not only to meet all payments, but have a good surplus. For this purpose the sum of $30,000 will be sufficient. 214 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. Cost of plant : For all factory buildings, sugar storehouse, beet sheds, office and labora- tory, limekilns, foundation for engines and apparatus, including all other mechanical work $95, 000 For boilers, engines, pumps, machinery, and millwright work; also for the entire inside outfit and apparatus of either American or foreign manu- facture 190,000 Cost of plant complete 285, 000 Salaries and general expenses : Technical superintendent $5, 000 General manager 3, 000 Agricultural expert 2, 000 2 chemists during " campaign " 1, 000 Head machinery engineer and assistant 2, 300 2 sugar boilers, at $250 each 500 2 overseers, at $800 each 1, 600 Weigbmaster 800 Bookkeepers, clerks, typewriter, and other office help 4, 000 Stationery, advertising, and incidentals 1, 000 Expenses of meetings of the board of directors 1, 200 Selling expenses of sugar to j obber 5, 000 Insurance, 1^ per cent of $150,000 2,250 Repairs on machinery per campaign 3, 000 Depreciation, 7 per cent on $200,000 machinery 14, 000 6 per cent interest on $315,000 capital invested 18, 900 Salaries and general expenses 65, 550 Wages for labor : 20 skilled laborers, 100 days and 100 nights, 12 hours per day, or together 4,000 days' work, at $2,50 10,000 40 common laborers, 100 days and 100 nights, or together 8,000 days' work, at $1.75 14,000 Total wages 24,000 Running expenses: 4,500 tons of coal (slack), equal to 15 per cent of weight of beets, at $1.50 6,750 Limestone and coke 7, 040 Oil, etc 860 Reserve materials 2, 000 Linen for filter presses !> 400 Electric light 1,200 Sacks 1,100 30,000 tons of beets, at $4 per ton - 120,000 Total for running expenses 140, 650 Total salaries, wages, and all expenses 230, 200 Product and return for same : The general average j-ield of sugar in America has been 11 per cent of the weight of the beets; taking this as a basis and the present price of sugar at $92 per ton, the total production from 30,000 tons of granulated sugar, at $92 per ton - 303,600 For pulp at 25 cents per ton, say for campaign, 6,000 tons 1, 500 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 215 Margin on aeed, 3 cents per ponnd, on 60,000 pounds $1, 800 Total returns 306, 900 Total expenses 230, 200 Net profits 76, 700 [Note. — Coat of coal, lime, labor, and other materials may be cheaper in your locality than figured in above investment; and if this is the case, the expenses will be less and the cost of producing sugar cheaper,] Estimate of cost, running expenses, and profits of a heet-sugar factory of capacity of 500 tons of heets per day of twenty-four hours. Total capital needed, not including cost of land for factory and additional buildings, which site should be 15 to 20 acres large, to be about $425, 000 Euuning capital : The capital required to operate the fixctory to be 50, 000 Usually the bills for fuel, lime, and other material and work are paid at the end of every month, and it is the same with farmers in regard to payment for their beets. Sugar, as one of the most required staple articles, is sold for cash or on short time. Every day 63.5 tons, or 127,000 pounds, of sugar will be ready for sale. The company should at the end of each month have sufficient money collected from their sales not only to meet all payments but have a good surplus. For this reason the sum of $50,000 will be sufficient. Cost of jilant: For all factory buildings, sugar storehouses, beet sheds, office and labora- tory, limekilns, foundations for engines and apparatus, including all other mechanical work 125, 000 For boilers, engines, pumps, machinery, and millwright work; also for the entire inside outfit and apparatus of either American or foreign manu- facture 250,000 Cost of plant complete 375, 000 Salaries and general expenses : Technical superintendent $5, 000 General manager 3, 000 Agricultural expert 2, 000 Two chemists during campaign 1, 000 Head machinery engineer and assistant 2, 300 2 sugar boilers, at $250 each 500 2 overseers, each $800 1,600 Weighmaster 800 Bookkeepers, clerks, typewriter, and other office help 5, 000 Stationery, advertising, and incidentals 1, 000 Expense of meeting of board of directors 1, 200 Selling expenses of sugar to j obbers - 8, 000 Insurance, H per cent of $200,000 3,000 Repairs on machinery per campaign 3, 800 Depreciation of 7 per cent of $250,000 machinery 17, 500 6 per cent interest on $425,000 capital invested 25, 500 Salaries and general expenses 81, 200 Wages for labor : 20 skilled laborers, 100 days and 100 nights, 12 hours per day, or together 4,000 days' work, at $2.50 $10,000 216 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 40 common laborers, 100 flays aud 100 nights, or together 8,000 days' work, at $1.75 $14,000 Total wages $24, 000 Running expenses: 7,500 tons of coal (slack), equal to 15 per cent weiglit of beets, at $1.50 11, 250 Limestone and coke 12, 000 Oil, etc .- 1,350 Reserve materials 3, 000 Linen for filter presses 1, 800 Electric lights furnished by city station 1, 200 Sacks 2, 000 50,000 tons of beets, at average of $4 per ton 200, 000 232,600 Total salaries, wages, and all expenses "337, 800 Product and return for same : The general average yield of sugar in America has been 11 per cent of the weight of l>eets ; taking this and the preseu t price of sugar at $92 per ton as a base, the total production from 50,000 tons would be 5,500 tons of granu- lated sugar, at $92 per ton 506, 000 For pulp, at 25 cents per ton, say, per campaigu, 7,500 1, 877 Margin on seed, 3 cents per pouud on 100,000 pounds 3, 000 Total returus 510, 877 Total expenses 337, 800 Net profits 173,077 [Note. — Cost of coal, lime, labor, and other materials may be cheaper in your locality than figured in al)ove estimate, and if this is the case the expenses will be less and the cost of producing the sugar cheaper.] NEW FACTORIES. Ten or fifteen new f^ictories are now in process of capitalization in diiferent sections of the country, and will probably be ready for working the crop of beets that will be raised in 1898. We are reliably informed that there will be at least two additional factories in isTew York, one or two in Iowa, one in IMichigan, one or two in Intliana, one in Utah, one in Wisconsin, one in Montana, one in Vir^^inia, and one in Oregon. These factories, which will do more to demonstrate the possibilities of the States in which they are to be erected than anything else, will be established under such sure conditions, that they will be the first strong, stout round in the bidder tliat will carry us to final success in the beet- sugar industry in the United States. PULP FEEDING. The following is a report made by Mr. John Reimers, of Grand Island, Nebr., to the special agent, on pulp feeding: As requested in your favor of the 13th instant to I. R. Alter, I wish to give yon my opinion of four years' experience in feeding beet-sngar pulp (o cattle. I consider it a valuable food in connection with grain and other feed, as it is a BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 217 great digestive food and appetizer. It has some fattening qualities, but I do not depend on it for that purpose, but mainly to digest the other foods. When I begin feeding, I use for. the first few days from 20 to 25 pounds of pulp per head daily, with hay and little grain or meal mixed with it. Then increase grad- ually to 40 or 50 pounds per head. I have also tried 80 to 90 pounds per head, but am positive that this is of disadvantage in fattening cattle, as thej' eat less grain and meal. Too nuich pulp is inclined to be loosening. Cattle can be put on fall feed of grain much quicker with pulp, as it helps to digest the food and lessens the danger of overfeeding or getting the cattle stalled and foundered. After feeding from ninety to one hundred days, I would advise going back grad- ually to 20 and 25 pounds of pnlp per day and increasing the grain food, which each feeder must judge for himself the amount his cattle can stand. Cattle eat as much grain per day with the limited amount of pulp as they do with- out it, but this food in connection produces flesh more rapidly and thereby shortens the feeding season. I find'it better to feed ground feed with pulp rather than whole grain, but the pulp is beneficial with any kind of food. Have found, when feeding pulp with the same amount of roughness and grain that generally is required in the West to fatten cattle, that I would put on an extra gain of from 50 to 75 pounds per head ; or I can make the same amount of gain as I obtain in the ordinary way of feeding in three-fourths of the time, and consequently save considerable grain and roughness. The pulp-fed cattle will sell as readily as any other, as they dress and ship as well, even for export, which I myself have tried. Consider the pulp also a great food for stock cattle, if mixed with roughness, as it is a wholesome food and makes young stock thrive and grow. Cattle will eat poor and damaged roughness, which they otherwise would not toucli, if mixed with pulp. I have fed fresh pulp direct from the factory and also so-called sour pulp after it has been in silo. The pulp will keep in silo for years, but it will shrink some. The result is virtually the same in feeding either kind of pulp, and I consider them equally good, only that sometimes it takes three or ibur days before all the cattle learn to eat the sour pulp, while they will all eat fresh pulp readily the first day. [Note. — In talking with others having liad extensive experience in feeding pulp to cattle, we secured facts in the main agreeing with the above report. All appear to agree that pulp feeding aids the work of digestion ; that the same amount of feed adds more fat and llesh to the animal; that an animal will be prepared for the market six weeks earlier, showing a wonderful economy of time and feed. The gentleman making the report is connected with the Grand Island Live Stock and Commission Company, and has had mi extensive experience with the cattle and sheep feeding industry.— C. F. S.] CRUDE MATERIALS REQUIRED PER TON OF BEETS WORKED. The following shows the per cent of lime, coke, and coal used in two factories in the United States, based upon the tons of beets worked, and will afiford a basis of estimating the amount of these crude materials that will be required by a factory having a stated daily capacity and defluite number of days in its working campaign : Per cent of lime, coke, and coal requi7'ed to every ton of heets worked. Factory. First factory . . Second factory Per cent 6 5i Coke. Per cent. 2 44 Coal. Per cent. 13 11 218 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. SuaAR Consumption of Leading European Countries and THE United States. The following statement shows the consumption of sugar in the United States per capita from 1867 to 189G, inclusive: Sugar consumption per capita in the United States. Pounds. 1867 28.9 1877 36.2 1887 52.6 1896 62.7 It will be seen that in less than thirty years tlie amount of sugar consumed in a year per capita in the United States has more than doubled. This is to be attributed to two causes: (1) The people in becoming more prosperous have become more liberal in their daily liv- ingj (2) the peojile are becoming more intelligent, and by investiga- tion better understand the uses of sugar in the arts and sciences and its application to manufacture. "We point to the wonderful develop- ment of the confectioner's art and the art of making sirups of all kinds for pharmaceutic compounds, soda fountains, etc., during the past thirty years. Sugar is extensively used for curing and flavoring wines and for many other purposes, most of which have been introduced dur- ing the period of 1867-189(5. Sugar was just beginning to come into use as a food in Queen Elizabeth's time, and the increase in its use has been continuous ever since. This increase in the use of sugar has been going on all over the world. The table following shows the rate of increase in the use of sugar per capita in the leading countries for twenty-three years. The United States leads, as it does in almost all other things, in this increased consumption of sugar. Rate of increase in consumption .of sugar per capita. Countries. Per cent a year. "France 142 6.18 Germany 157 6.91 Austria 107 4. 65 England 90 3.50 United States 278 12.10 If we were to make a classification of countries based upon the intel- lectual standard of their people and upon the ability of those people to appreciate the daily comforts of life, we would find that our list would represent two things : (1) The countries would stand in the order of the freedom of the people and the liberality of their government; (2) in the order of the amount of sugar consumed per capita in those coun- tries. Under this classification the United States should stand first, but as our country is not old enough to have her position fixed, England takes the first rank. The United States, however, is gaining at the rate BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 219 12.1 per cent per year while England's rate is but 3.5 per cent. The following statement shows consumption of sugar per capita in the coun- tries named duriug 1894-95 : Sugar consumption per capita, 1894-95. Pounds. United States 62.70 England 86.09 France 30.61 Germany 26.78 Austria 19. 87 Russia 10. 94 The three foregoing tables are taken from a pamphlet by E. W. Hilgard, director of the California Agricultural Exj)eriment Station. Professor Hilgard says : Two prominent facts are shown by tlie above tables. The first is that in the United States and in England the consumption of sngiir increases in a more rapid ratio than the population, and similar tables show the same to 1)6 true of all Euro- pean countries at least. There is probably a natural limit to the possibility of sugar consumption, even by the American boy and his elders, but it is not likely that that limit will be reached within the next quarter century. THE BEET- SUGAR INDUSTRY IN GERMANY. The following table from The Sugar Beet gives in condensed form information concerning the beet industry of Germany. Condensed data concerning the heet-sugar industry of Germany, 1S92-1S95. Factories working Number of steam engines Total horsepower Total beets worked (tons) Total area devoted to beets (acres) Average yield of beets per acre (tons) Raw sugar extracted. From beets in factories From molasses (special factories) Prom molasses in refineries Total raw sugar . Per cent extraction from beets worked Per cent extraction including the work of molasses Yield of sugar per acre (pounds) Weight of beets required to produce 100 lbs. raw sugar (pounds) Molasses per 100 ll)s. beets worked Total molasses extracted (tons) Consumption of sugar per capita (pounds) 405 5,324 94, 952 14, 526, 030 1, 098, 465 12.8 Tons. 1, 769, 331 61, 447 4,396 1, 835, 174 12.17 12.64 3,514 822 2.4 347, 125 23.5 1893-94. 405 5,256 87, 424 10, 644, 352 987, 723 10.9 Tons. 1,319,006 55, 165 1,427 1, 375, 598 12.36 12.92 3,149 809 2.63 279, 757 20.2 1892-93. 401 5,122 81,596 9, 811, 940 880, 000 11.7 Tons. 1, 175, 137 48,925 500 1, 224, 562 11.98 12.48 3,276 835 2.54 246, 272 26.78 The above table is presented here because the 1,835,174 tons of raw sugar produced in Germany represents within about 100,000 tons the quantity of all kinds of sugar imported by this country. The details of the sugar industry in Germany are therefore of importance as show- ing about what would be the condition of the industry in the United States were it established to tlio extent of producing all the sugar required for home consumption. 220 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. Aside from the information set forth in this table, other facts are easily obtained; for instance, the following estimates made from aver- ages of cost of crude materials and labor, prorated on the cost of each for working a ton of beets, are compiled from data secured from the factories in this country: To install this industry on a scale adequate to providing our entire domestic consumption it would require an investment of capital to the extent of $200, 000, 000. 00 Farmers would receive annually for beets 60, 000, 000. 00 Coal operators and miners, or other sources of fuel supply, would. receive 5,665,151.70 Laborers in the factory, skilled and unskilled, would receive 14, 000, 000. 00 Coke manufacturers would receive 2, 500, 000. 00 There would be paid to quarrymen for limestone, etc 1, 743, 123. 60 The textile manufacturers would receive for filter cloth and bags, chemicals, sugar bags, etc 5, 156, 000. 00 There would go to municipalities to relieve the burden of taxation. 1, 452, 603. 00 Insurance companies would receive 726, 301. 00 The working of the 14,526,030 tons of beets would result in the production of 5,810,412 tons of pulp. The following estimates are condensed from an article on "Pulp feed- ing," by Mr. John Eeimers, of Grand Island, Nebr., and provide 60 pounds of pulp per day for milch cows for a year, and 40 pounds per day for cattle during the feeding season; the saving of feed is based upon a reduction of the feeding period by one-fourth: When this pulp is thoroughly understood and appreciated, it will be worth to the factories for animal food $2,905,206. This pulp would form the jjrincipal part of the best feed ration known for milch cows, and would feed for one year 528,219 cows. This amount of pulp could be turned to feeding and fattening cattle, and would be sufficient for feeding ration to prepare for the market 2,421,005 cattle. It is estimated by extensive, intelligent, and experienced feeders of pulp that a steer can be fattened six weeks earlier on this ration containing grain and pulp [Mr.Reimers j^uts it: "In three-fourths the time"], so that it can be estimated that the actual saving through the economy of feeding our entire output of pulp would be the whole nutritive ration necessary to fatten 605,251 cattle. Experience of Successful Growers of Sugar Beets. The information under this head is compiled for the jjurpose of giv- ing the results of the experience of successful growers of sugar beets. The numbers preceding the names of those answering the questions in the list correspond to the number preceding the answers. answers to questions by sugar-beet growers in NEBRASKA. The following is a list of sugar-beet growers in Nebraska, the ques- tions propounded to them, and the answers to the same: (1) James Seilley, Standard Cattle Company, Ames, Dodge County. (2) John Dugglcby, Standard Cattle Company, Ames, Dodge County. (3) Gustavo Koehler, Grand Island, Hall County. (4) Gotlieb D. Neunerman (raised beets in Germany), Merrick County. BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 221 (5) Fred. Ernstmeyer, Grand Island, Hall County. (6) John Friend, Grand Island, Hall County. (7) William Mun and D. A. Finch, Grand Island, Hall County. (8) Fred. Roby, Gi-and Island, Hall County. (9) George C. Humphrey, Doniphan, Hall County. (10) Edmund Starke, Grand Island, Hall County. (11) Theo. Sievers, Grand Island, Hall County. (12) Wbitmoro Brothers, Valley, Douglas County. (13) Henry Joehucke, Grand Island, Hall County. (14) F. H. Brown, Fremont, Dodge County. Number of acres grown ? (1) 100. (2) 55. (3) 36. (4) 10. (5) 2. (6) 5. (7) 150. (8) 10. (9) 30. (10) 100 to 250. (11) 15. (12) 50. (13) 16. (14) 150. Usual time for p laughing ? (1) Fall or early spring. (2) Fall. (3) Soon as frost is out of ground. (4) Fall and sjn-iug. (5) Fall and spring. (6) Fall and spring. (7) Fall. (8) Fall and spring. (9) Fall and spring. (10) Fall. (11) April. (12) April. (13) Spring. (14) Spring. For harvesting ? (1) October. (2) October. (3) October. (4) Last September. (5) Last Septem- ber. (6) October 12 to 20. (7) October to November 1. (8) October to November 15. (9) September 15 to October 30. (10; September 15 to October 15. (11) October 1. (12) October and November. (13) October 15. (14) October 15 begin. Hoiv do you prepare the (jroundf (1) Plow; then follow by harrowing, pulverizing, and go over with chain harrow or leveller; then roll and harrow with light harrow. (2) Pulverize the soil linely and leave surface level. (3) Plow 12 inches in fall and 6 inches in spring; harrow, then drag to level the ground and plant; as soon as plant is up, use the spider cultivator; then bunch and thin to 6 and 8 inches; hoe once and cultivate twice with Planet, jr. (4) Plow 3 inches in fall and 9 inches in spring; harrow, roll, and harrow again; then plant. (5) Same as 4. (6) Plow 7 inches in fall and 8 inches in spring from April 1 to 15 to kill weeds and loosen the soil; then harrow good; roll the ground and plant an inch. (7) Extirpating; harrowing; rolling and harrowing. (8) Plow two or three times in fall, last time 15 to 16 inches; cultivate in the spring to stir the ground; harrow and plant. (9) Plow 4 to 5 inches in the fall and 10 inches as late as possible in the spring in blocks; to be jjlanted immediately. Follow with slant-tooth harrow as I plant, then float (plank), then plant. (10) Fall plowing; then cultivate with disk in the spring and harrow thoroughly. (11) Plow 3 inches in fall and 8 inches in spring, and subsoil 6 inches; harrow and roll or plank. (12) Best to plow in fall, and either plow or disk harrow early in spring, and then , thoroughly harrow the ground. (13) Plow 3 inches in fall to kill weeds and 10 inches in spring; drag with plank, 3-lapped; then harrow and plank again. (14) Stubble ground. Plow 9 to 11 inches when weeds started in spring, lap- disked again ; then harrow, rolled, and planted. Explain your mode of cuUicationf (1) First cultivate with knives in cultivator once or as often as may be necessary; then bunch and cultivate ; thin and weed; cultivate; cultivate and hoe. (2) Deep hoeing and deey) cultivation. (3) See (3) under '' How do you prejiare the ground?" 222 BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. (4) Cultivate as soon as the plants are up ; then bunch and thin ; boe, according to the weeds, two or three times; then cultivate three to four times. (5) Same as (4). (6) Bunch and thin 8 to 10 inches apart; cultivate with four -row German cultiva- tor; with knives cultivate once more; cultivate once more with knives and once with plow blades; hoe if weedy. Loosen with beet loosener and pick. (7) After the beets are just up cultivate with the German cultivator and with knives about 2 inches deep; after that use goose feet. (8) Cultivate first and then bunch and thin; cultivate and hoe, after which culti- vate once more if needed; then pull weeds by hand. (9) Cultivate with Fremont with drag attachment about the time the beets are up with no cultivator attachments, and harrow again; then bunch and thin; after which cultivate with goose feet. I do not hoe; the harrow answers. I cultivate about six times. (10) After planting use small harrow; cultivate when up ; bunch and thin; hoe twice or three times. (11) Cultivate with Moline three times; hoe once. We bunch and thin after first cultivation, (12) Hand hoe and thin; then cultivate with small, fine one-horse cultivator made for the purpose. (13) Cultivate early with Moline before the beets are up, if necessary, for weeds; cultivate three or four times to keep weeds down and soil open; hoe twice; also thin and bunch. (14) As soon as plants show I go over with a wheel hoe operated by two men ; then use Fremont horse cultivator; after which thin and buuch; then cultivate twice, aud afterwards cut out weeds. Describe your soil ? (1) Sandy loam, black loam, and gumbo. (2) Gumbo. (3) Sandy loam with gravel and clay subsoil. (4) Very sandy ; sandy subsoil. (5) The same as (4). (6) Sandy loam; sandy subsoil, with some clay. (7) Sandy loam; clay subsoil. (8) Sandy loam; sometimes clay; sometimes sandy followed by hardpan under that. (9) Black sandy loam; yellow clay subsoil. (10) Sandy loam. (11) Sandy loam and clay subsoil. (12) Rich black sandy loam, with free sandy subsoil. (13) Sandy loam, with sand and sometimes clay subsoil. (14) Rich black loam. Would prefer a little sand. What are the requirements of beets for moisture? (1) Beets seem to be able to stand dry weather after they start to grow; they also do well with lots of rain. (2) They will stand wet or dry weather. (3) Require much less moisture; taproot will go down sometimes 8 to 10 feet. (4) Can stand more rain and much less than any other crop. (5) Same as (4). (6) Will thrive with one-half less moisture than is required by other crops and will stand more until time of ripening. (7) If ground is in good condition in the spring, will need only one rain to sprout; should have a good and damp August. (8) Need loss moisture and can stand more than other crops. (9) They do not require as much moisture as other crops. BEET-SUGAK INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. 223 (10) Can stand more or less moisture than any other crop. (11) Require much less than other crops. (12) Damp, fine seed bed with frequent showers while growing. (13) Require less moisture than other crops, and can stand more. (14) Not as much as corn, as they grow deeper in the ground. What are your esdmates per a(yrefor cost of raising and marketimj beets? (1) $25 per acre and $13 for marketing without freight. (2) The same as (1;. (3) $20. Improved machinery and cheaper labor Avhero available make these fig- ures much less. Harvesting will be about $9 additional. (4) $1,5 to $16, and $9 to $10 for harvesting. (5) The same as (4). (6) $15; which includes bunching, thinning, hoeing two times, and plowing three times. Harvesting costs me $G per acre; 4 miles from factory. (7) About $36 per acre. This includes harvesting. (8) $16 per acre; harvesting and marketing $14 more. (9) $25; harvesting and marketing will be $8 more. My beets nnist be delivered 5 miles by wagon and then 12 miles by railroad. (10) $16 to $17 for raising the beets, and about the same for harvesting. (11) I do not know. (12) Generally about $30 per acre, and $10 lor marketing and harvesting. (13) $20 to $25, and about $4 marketing the beets. (14) $20 to raise tlie beets, and $6 per acre when harvested without siloing. How many tons do you average per acre? (1) 18 tons. (2) 17 tons. (3) 12 tons. (4) 10 to 12 tons. (5) The same as (4). (6) 14 tons. (7) About 11 tons. (8) 16 to 18 tons. (9) 10 tons. (10) 10 to 15 tons. (11) 13 to 15 tons. (12) 15 tons. (13) 12 tons. (14) 10 to 15 tons. What is the average sugar quality of your beets? (1) 14 ]5er cent sugar content, 81.5 per cent purity. (2) 13 per cent. (3) 16 per cent. (4) 14 per cent sugar, 80 per cent iiurity. (5) The same as (4). (6) 14 per cent. (7) Last year 14.2 per cent. (8) 14 per cent. (9) 14.8 per cent sugar, 82 per cent purity. (10) 15.8 per cent sugar, 85 per cent purity. (11) Good test. (12) 12 per cent sugar, 80 per cent i^urity. (13) Do not know. (14) 12 to 15 per cent. What do you recommend in the way of equipment, horses, and implements ? (1) For small farmer would recommend stirring plow, corn cultivator to go both ways and to harrow both ways; Moline's seeder, roller, and small harrow culti- vator. F. M. Wallace, of Fremont, has the best cultivator I know, and Al puller can be obtained at Fremont foundry. (2) Mules. Any implements can be used that will leave the ground level, loosened down deep, and thoroughly pulverized. (3) Stirring plow, beet seeder, harrow, drag, two horses. Planet, jr. cultivator, and hoes. My work was largely experimental in starting the industry. I came from the beet-sugar districts of Germany. (4) Stirring plow, roller, cultivator (Moline), harrow, and hoes. (5) The same as (4). (6) Stirring plow, harrow, cultivator, seeder, hoes, beet puller, roller. I find that l)lauking pulverizes the ground but does not make it compact. (7) Use, if possilile, mules; Jewell beet drill, cultivator. (8) Stirring plow, two to four horses, a stirring-plow cultivator (Fremont), har- row (no roller or plank), hoes. (9) A good teaui of three horses, stirring plow, float, harrow, a good cultivator like the Fremont. I think a cultivator should take only two rows, on account of the uuevenness of the ground. (10) Two horses, plow, cultivator, harrow, seeder, beet puller. (11) Stirring plow and. subsoiler, Moline cultivator, roller, harvester, hoes. 224 BEET-8LTGAR INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATESr (12) Use same plows, teams, men, etc., as for other farm work, adding fine harrow, cultivators, hoes, hand weeders, etc. (13) Moline cultivator, good stirring plow, small strong horse or mule, good har- row, three horses for stirring-plow work, plank harrow. (14) One combined seeder and cultivator, plow aud harrow. Hoio many acres with good equipment can one man tend? (1) Ten acres by himself. (2) Seven acres, if alone. (3) After the thinning and bunching and help to hoe once, one man cultivated 35 acres. (4) Five acres, alone. (5) Five acres, alone. (6) One man and two boys can thin and bunch 10 acres in ten days, then one man can tend 10 acres alone. (7) Five acres. (8) Ten acres, if the man hires the bunching and thinning, which will cost $70. (9) Thirty acres, by paying $1.50 per acre for bunching and thinning. This is my experience. My ground is quite free from weeds, however. (10) Five acres, working alone. (11) I do not know. (12) 2 acres. (13) 10 acres, working alone. (14) One cultivator will tend -10 acres, but will have to have extra help in thinning and weeding. What are the obstacles you encounter, inchidinrefer. (5) 15 x)ounds per acre. I use Kleinwanzlebener. I prefer Imperial Rose (Verber- setta Rosa). The latter while not a high sugar beet does better. (6) No answer. (7) No answer. (8) Use original Kleinwanzlebeuer and the Horning strain of the same; prefer the Horning. Are the tops good stock feed? (1) Yes; but better for fertilizer. (2) Yes; but better for fertilizer. (3) Yes; we sell it for 25 cents ])er load. (4) Yes ; but we do not allow the tops to be removed, as they are used as a fertilizer. (5) Yes; but it pays better to use them as a fertilizer. (6) No answer. (7) No answer. (8) I think not. What do you think of sugar beets for feed ? (1) I think they make good feed for cattle, sheep, and hogs. (2) Make a good feed. (3) Do not know. (4) Make a first-class feed. (5) They make a first-class feed. I once fattened 1,000 hogs by steaming beets. Make a good horse feed and are good for milk. (6) No answer. (7) No answer. (8) Do not think much of them for this purpose. What do you think of pulp for feed? (1) First-class for milk and feed of cattle, sheep, and hogs. (2) Makes a fine feed for all kinds of stock. (3) I have not tried it. (4) The pulp is first-class for fattening. (5) Pulp is good for feed for dairying and for ration for fattening animals. (6) No answer. (7) No answer. (8) I have not experimented with it. II^DEX, Page. Agricultural surveys, Importance and plans 21 Alcohol, manufacture from beet-sugar molasses 173, 174 Altitude as modification of sugar-beet growing 168 Aluminum and silica, inconvenience in beet-siigar making 207 American ingenuity and enterprise as factors in beet-sugar industry 176 Analyses of sugar beets, cautions regarding 41 Arid regions, meteorological conditions 35 Arizona, analyses of beets 43 experiment station report ; discussion of data 56 Arkansas, analyses of beets; discussion of data 43, 60 Armsby, II. P., report 15, 109 Beet pulps. {See Sugar-beet pulps.) seed, source and quality 117 sugar, answers of factory officials regarding factory work 208 factories in operation, list 162 industry, conditions to be considered 23 local prosperity as result 184 United States as competitor with Europe 175 problem of making ready for market 209 statistics 160 yield in factory of 300 tons capacity per day 214 Beets, crude materials required per ton in sugar making 217 discussion of blight and its relation to irrigation 196 estimate of number of acres for cultivation by one man 224 general suggestions for raising 186 number of acres for one man in California and New Mexico 231 tons necessary to produce ton of white sugar 211 obstacles to growing in California and New Mexico 231 reports by Nebraska growers of number of years' experience 225 sugar, conditions for growing in spring of 1897 196 cultivation, harvesting, and silos; irrigation 191-193 distance apart of planting in California and New Mexico 233 equipment for raising in ISfebraska 223 factors affecting yield 197 indication of need of water by irrigation 194 notes on depth to which, roots go seeking moisture 166, 168 obstacles to growing, as reported by Nebraska growers 224 opinions of Nebraska growers on ridging of rows 226 recommendations of growers as to equipment for growing 230 relation of permanent agricultural conditions 203 reports of average yield per acre 223 thinning and bunching in cultivation 190 width of rows 189 yield, or " tonnage" per acre 182 treatment of land in California and New Mexico 231 use of tops for feed 233 Bibliography of Department publications relative to beet sugar 12 Blight in beets, discussion 196 Bloomfield, L. M., report 102 By-products of beet-sugar making, nature and value 171 California, analyses of beets 43 answers of farmers and factory officials as to sugar beets 228 discussion of data as to sugar beets 60 growth of sugar beets without rain or irrigation 167 note on cultivation of sugar beet 187 Capillary attraction, influence in bringing water to beet crop 166 Capital, amount necessary for beet-sugar factories to supply United States with sugar 220 235 236 INDEX. Page. Cattle food, use of sugar beeto 128 use of sugar-beet pulp as feed 171 Climatology 21 Coal, notes on use in beet-sugar factory 202 Coke and limestone, use by beet-sngar factories 170 cost to beet-sugar factory ; uuswers of factoi'y officials 211 Colorado, analyses of beets 43 discussion of data as to sugar beets • 61 experiment station report 63 Connecticut, meteorological conditions 29 Consumption of sugar, extent 161 rate of increase per capita for leading countries 218 Corn, cleanness from weeds on land previously in sugar beets 170 Cos.settes, exbaiisted. {See Sugar-beet pulps.) Cost of factories for beet sugar 212 per acre of raising and marketing sugar beets 223, 230 Council Bluffs, Iowa, note on lands for sugar-beet growing 199 County associations for sugar-beet investigation 185 Crop, value of sugar beets 197 Crops, rotation witb reference to sugar beets 204, 231 Crude materials required per tou of beets worked 217 Cultivation, bigb state for sugar beets 170 of beets for sugar 191 sugar beets, hoeing after thinning 232 in California and New Mexico 228 Nebraska 227 methods in Nebraska 221 Cultivator, four-row, use with sugar beet 188 Curtiss, C. F., report 72 Cutworms, damage to beets in spring of 1897 196 Dairies in connectiou with sugar-beet factories 171 Data as to beets obtained in the Department of Agriculture 40 Delaware, meteorological conditions 28 DeiJartment of Agriculture, discussion of work on sugar-beet problem 165 Dust mulch, use in growing sugar beets in California 167 Dyer, G. S., discussion of lime rocks and waters for beet-sugar making 207 Expeuses, general, of beet-sugar factories 214, 215 Experiment stations, work in sugar-beet investigation 184 Experimental beds for planting sugar beets 180, 181 work, comments in early Chemical Division bulletins 17 Experiments in 1897, correspondence and plan; observations 16,17,178 feeding beet pulps 131 growing sugar beets in the United States 161 Factories, beet-sugar, estimate of capacities 163 for beet sugar in Germany 219 new, note on capitalization in different sections 216 Factory, beet-sugar, estimates of cost for 300and500tous capacities per day. 213, 215 conditions in beet-sugar industry 200 officials, answers to questions relating to factory work 208, 228 operators, observation on answers to ([uestions 212 Farmer, cost of raising sugar beets and delivering to factory 208 obligation to use seed as directed 178 Farmers in beet-sugar industry in California and New Mexico, answers 228 Farming, factor of intelligence 183 Feed, use of sugar beets ; of tops ; of pulp 233 Fertilizer for sugar beets, kind and application 225, 232 Fertilizers, use of beet-sugar molasses 174 Food for stock, use of molasses from beet sugar 174 Forbes, R. H., rei)ort 56 Fuel for beet-sugar factory, discussion 201, 211 use by beet sugar factories 170 Fulmer, Elton, report 116 Germany, discussion of beet-sugar industry : . . 219 Goetz, A. S., letter relative to beet pulp 130 Goose feet, use as implement in cultivation of sugar beets 188 Growers of sugar beets in Nebraska, answers to questions 220 Harvesting implements for sugar beets 192 of sugar beets, time 191,210,221,228 Ileadeu, W. P., report 63 INDEX. 257 Pagp. Hoeing of sugar beets .after thinning, practice of Nebraska growers 227 frequency and effect 232 Huston, H. A., report : 70 Idaho, analyses of beets ; discussion of data 44, 64 experiment station report 65 Illinois, analyses of beets; discussion of data 44, 68 meteorological conditions 32 Implements for harvesting sugar beets 192 sowing sugar beets ; for cultivating 187, 188 Indiana, analyses of beets ; discussion of data 44, 69 beets for seed production 146 experiment station report 70 meteorological conditions 32 Insects, damage to sugar beets in spring of 1897 - 197 Iowa, analyses of beets; discussion of data 45, 72 beets for seed productiou 146 meteorological conditions 33 Irrigation and rains, joint use in growing sugar beets 167 for sugar beets, discussion; signs of need 193, 194 note ou relation to blight of beets 196 Isothermal lines 24 Jordan, W. H., report 94 Kansas, analyses of beets ; discussion of data 45, 74 summary of analyses by the experiment station 75 Kentucky, analyses of beets ; discussion of data 46, 76 beets for seed prodtiction 145 Labor, employment in beet-sugar industry 170 in raising beets, tisefuluess of boys and girls 204 skilled cost in 300-ton beet-sugar factory 214 Land for experiment with sugar beets, notes ou selection 179 sugar beets, average rent to iarniers 208 Lime and water for beet-sugar factory jiurposes 205 rocks and waters in manufacture of beet sugar 207 use of residuum from beet sugar factories as fertilizers 174 Limestone and coke, demand of beet-sugar factories 171 discussion of use in beet-sugar industry 202 source and cost for beet-sugar making 211 suggestions on composition ibf beet-sugar manufacture 205 Machinery, estimate of factory officials on reduction in cost of siagar by recent improvements 208 for beet-sugar making, percentage of American make in use 210 Map of the thermal bolt 23,24 Market, problem of preparing beet sugar 209 Markets, advantage to American producers of beet sugar 177 discussion for beet-sugar industry 203 Maryland, analyses of beets ; discussion of data 46, 77 Eastern Shore, meteorological conditions 27 Massachusetts, meteorological conditions 29 Melassigenic salts, discussion 206 Meteorological conditions 27 Michigan, analyses of beets ; discussion of data 46, 78 meteorological conditions 32 rcsumd of tiie experiment station report 78 Minnesota, analyses of beets; discussion of data 47, 81 meteorological conditions '33 report of the experiment station 82 Missouri, analyses of beets; discussion of data 47, 83 summary of data from the experiment station 84 Model for describing sugar beets 38 Moisture, relation to problem of growing sugar beets 166, 222 requirements of sugar beets in California and New Mexico 229 Molasses, experiments in making beet sugar 212 from sugar beets, discussion 172 in beet-sugar making, problem of disposal 209 made from beets in Germany 219 Montana, analyses of beets ; discussion of data 49, 85 summary of data from the experiment station 85 Mulch, dust, use to prevent evaporation in growing sugar beets in California . 167 Mule, superior value in cultivation of sugar beets 188 238 INDEX. Page. Nebraska, analyses of beets ; discussion of data 49, 86 answers of growers of sugar beets 220 details of expenses of sugar-beet growing at Norfollt 198 meteorological conditions 35 obstacles to growing of sugar beets 224 recommendations as to equipment for raising sugar beets 223 report of the experiment station 86 staple products of sugar-beet sections 224 Nevada, analyses of beets ; discussion of data 50, 87 report of the experiment station 88 New Hampshire, meteorological conditions 29 New Jersey, analyses of beets ; discussion of data 50, 88 experiments in Monmouth County .• 89 meteorological conditions 28 New Mexico, answers of farmers and factory officials as to sugar beets 228 experience of beet growers sending answers 232 report of the experiment station ; discussion 90 staple crops in beet sugar section 231 New York, analyses of beets ; discussion of data 50, 93 meteorological conditions 30 regions suited to beet culture 98 report of the Cornell University experiment station 96 State experiment station 94 Norfolk, Nebr., report in detail on expenses of sugar-beet growing 198 North Carolina, analyses of beets; discussion of data 51,99 meteorological conditions 27 North Dakota, analyses of beets; discussion of data 51, 99 meteorological conditions 34 Officials, factory, answers to questions regarding factory work 208 Ohio, analyses of beets; discussion of data 51, 100 meteorological conditions 31 report of the experiment station 102 Oklahoma, analyses of beets ; discussion of data 52, 103 report of the experiment station 103 Oregon, rejiort of the experiment station 104 Pacific coast, unusiial conditions of soil moisture 195 Paper, experiments in mannlacture from sugar-beet pulp 172 Pennsylvania, analyses of beets ; discussion of data 52, 108 meteorological conditions 31 summary of an alyses 108 Petroleum, note on use in Ijeet-sugar factory 202 Planting of beets for sugar making, time 210 sugar beets, depth 232 distance apart of rows in Nebraska 227 points considered 187 reports of Nebraska growers 226 Plowing for sugar beets, depth 225, 232 in Caliibrnia and New Mexico, time 228 notes on thoroughness for sugar beets 180 of sugar beets, usual time 221 Price of sugar beets, answers of factory officials 208 Product and returns of 500-ton beet-sugar factory 216 of beet-sugar factory of 300 tons capacity per day 214 Production of sugar beets, cost and net profit per acre 198 Profits and running expenses of factory of 300 tons capacity per day 213 Pulp, beet, demand as feed for animals 171 estimate of value of product of factory of 300 tons capacity 214 feeding, report by John Eeimers, of Grand Island, Nebr 216 of sugar boots, problem of disposal 209 quantity of residue from ton of beets ; experiments 212 value and price for feeding purposes 172 Pulps. (See Sugar-beet pulps.) Eainfall, annual 25 relation to irrigation in cultivation of sugar beets 193 table of averages 25 Pains and irrigation, joint use in sugar-beet growing 167 Rent of sugar-beet lands in California and Now Mexico 230 Phodo Island, analyses of beets; discussion of data 52, 110 Roberts, 1. 1'., report 96 INDEX. 239 Page. Rows, width in cultivation of sugar beets; ridging 189, 226 SaJarics for beet-sugar factory of 300 tons capacity per day 214, 215 Salts in solution and effect in water used in sugar manufacture 205 Sampling of sugar beets by growers, discussion 181 Saylor, Charles F., report as special agent 161-233 Seed bed for sugar beets, soil and preparation 186 development 158 for sngar beet, amount per acre reported from Nebraska 228 depth of planting 232 growth from selected seed 158 kind found best, answers of factory officials 209 of sugar beets, discussion 199 margin for factory of 300 tons capacity per day 215 method of purchase 211 quantity per acre and kind in California and New Mexico. 233 note on necessity for large quantity in growing beets for sugar 204 production, investigations 141 stations, location 159 Seeder for sugar beets, notes on use 187 Seeds obligation of farmer to use as directed 178 of sugar beet, distribution and directions for use 166 Selby, A. D., report 102 Shaw, G. W., report 104 Sheep, use of sugar-beet pulp as feed 171 Shepard, J. H., abstracts from report Ill Silica and aluminum, inconvenience in beet-sugar making 207 Silo for sugar beets, methods of making in California and New Mexico 232 reports of Nebraska growers , 226 Silos for sugar beets, notes 191 Soil for sugar beets, descriptions by Nebraska growers 222 in California and New Mexico 229 natural fertility in United States as factor in beet-sugar industry 175 physical condition for sugar-beet growing 167 preparation for experiments 179 South Carolina, analyses of beets; discussion of data 52,110 South Dakota, analyses of beets; discussion of data 53, 110 meteorological conditions 34 summary of analyses Ill Statistics of beet-sugar production 160 Steffen process for treatment of beet-sugar molasses 173 Storage of sugar beets prior to hauling to factory 210 Subsoils favorable and unfavorable to sugar beet 168 Sugar, average quality from beets in Nebraska 223 beet, comiiaratively small area necessary for growing 177 discussion of factory conditions of industry 200 . importance of industry to United States 169 necessity of piire water for manufacture 201 note on original cost of factory 203 present status of manufacture in United States 162 quantity of beets necessary to make ton of sugar 211 requirement as to size 182 susceptibility to climatic conditions 21 Sugar-beet belt as mapped by Dr. Antisell ; notes on zone 12, 25 modifying conditions other than temperature 166 of United States, discussion 164 cultivation, cost in Wisconsin 123 farms, rents and values, discussion 169 pulp, composition 129 pulps, analyses, before and after siloing 133, 134 composition and feeding tests 130 use for cattle food 129 Sugar beets as cattle food 128 compared with other root crops 129 cautions in using the analytical data 41 comparison of profits with other crops 225 cost of raising and net profit 7ier acre 198 cultivation of experimental plats 181 demand for crude material by factories 170 directions for taking samples 37 240 INDEX. Page. Sugar beets, directions for topping 38 experiments of successful growers 220 from high-grade seed, analyses by the Department 150 discussion of data 154, 156 influence of temperature on the quality 125 planting in experimental beds 180 suggestions as. to sowing 186 summary of analyses 135 table of analyses by the Department 43 value of crop 197 work of experiment stations 184 yield in Wisconsin 123 consumption of leading European countries and United States 218 content and purity of beets, conditions which influence 164 duty as an aid to beet-sugar industry 177 extensive consumption 161 percentage extracted from beets by factories 163 raw, quantity made from beets in Germany 2I9 variation of percentage with size of beet 182 Temperature, remarks on requirement for growing sugar beets 164 Tennessee, analyses of beets 53 beets for seed production 144 Texas, analyses of beets ; discussion of data 53, 112 report of the experiment static 113 Thermal belt 23 for growing of sugar beets, remarks on map 165 Thinning of sugar beets in Nebraska 228 sugar beets, discussion 190 Topping of beets, methods in California and New Mexico 232 Utah, advantages of elevation and temperature for growing sugar beets 169 analyses of beets 53 Vermont, analysis of beets ; discussion of data 53, 124 meteorological conditions 29 report of the experiment station 125 Virginia, analyses of beets ; discussion of data 53, 114 report of the experiment station 1 14 Vredenburgh, James B., experiments 89 Wages for 500 ton beet-sugar factory 215 in sugar-beet work for factory of 300 tons capacity 214 Washington, analyses of beets ; discussion of data 54, 115 report of the experiment station 116 Water and lime for beet-sugar factory purposes 205 condensed jrom evaporators, advantage of use in beet-sugar making.. . 207 for beet-sugar factory, necessity of purit^^ 201 suggestions as to application in irrigation 194 Weeds, necessity for thorouuli cleanness in sugar-beet culture .• 204 West Virginiai, analyses of beets 54 meteorological conditions 27 Wheat, production of lino crops on Pacific coast -without rain 196 Wiley, Harvey W., special report as chemist 11-160 Wisconsin, analyses of beets; discussion of data 54, 119 beets for seed pioduction 146 cost of cultivation of beets 123 experiments at substations 122 witli high grade beet seed 148 influence of the Menominee Falls failure with beets 128 investigations by the experiment station 119 meteorological conditions 32 table of analytical data 120 yield of beets 123 Woll,F.W., report 120 Wood, notes on use in beet-sugar factory 202 Wyoming, analyses of beets; discussion of data 55, 123 •