1 66 Bulletin 143. 



be any over estimate as to the yields actually obtained on the 

 experimental plats. 



The percentage of sugar and the quotient of purity are also unex- 

 pectedly high. It is known that some seasons are more favorable to 

 a high quality of beets than others, and perhaps the past season, 

 notably dry in August, September and October, produced beets of 

 mere than normal richness. It will not be surprising, then, if the high 

 quality of beets secured this season is not maintained in the future 

 with different weather conditions while beets are maturing, but it is 

 believed that the falHng off will not be sufficient to reduce the quality 

 below tlie point of protitable manufacture. 



So far as soil and climate are concerned it seems to be settled, then, 

 that the state of New York is well adapted to the commercial growing 

 of sugar beets. The question of greater importance remaining for dis- 

 cussion is. Will the farmers of the Empire State grow the beets in suf- 

 ficient quantities, and send them to the factories in such condition as to 

 make the manufacture of sugar profitable ? 



Agriculture has shared in the general depression of recent years, and 

 farmers are anxiously asking what crop can be grown with a fair 

 chance of profit. The present interest in the sugar industry, therefore, 

 seems to be opportune, and farmers are much more likely to put forth 

 the necessary effort to become skillful in the production of sugar beets 

 than if other crops were paying well. 



The sugar beet is an exacting crop, and persons unfamiliar with the 

 best methods of growing it have mucii to learn, and will make many 

 mistakes that will cut down the profits. AVith a view of helping those 

 who are thinking of growing beets for the factories the following simple 

 instiTxtions have been ])reparcd. These instructions are based partly 

 on our own investigations and partly on the statements of others who 

 have had large experience both as experimenters and practical growers. 



Soil. — Sugar beets can be grown successfully on (juite a variety of 

 soils — -gravelly loam, sandy loam, loam and clay loam — though a 

 sandy loam is usually considered bei^t suited to the crop. Any soil 

 that is well adapted to potatoes will raise sugar beets. While the 

 industry is in its infancy in tlie state, it is wise t(j select only those soils 

 that are believed to be well adapted, and that are in a high state of 

 fertility, and, so far as possible, are free from foul weeds. 



So many things are to be learned regarding the growing of the crop 



