4i8 Bulletin i66. 



The investigations were along six principal lines as follows : 



1. Effects of thin and thick planting. 



2. Effects of moderate and extra tillage. 



3. Effects of thinning at various periods. 



4. Effects of subsoiling. 



5. Variety tests. 



6. Fertilizer tests. 



Part III contains a brief account of the chemical work. In addition to 

 the 496 analyses of beets, several analyses of soil upon which beets were 

 grown and samples of fertilizers used have also been made. 



The average sugar content in the juice in 1898 was 15.29 per cent ; purity 

 83.6 ; in 1897, 16.91 per cent ; purity 83.5 and [sugar in the beet 14.53 per 

 cent, and 16.06 per cent for the two years, respectively. 



Comparisons are made of the sugar in beets grown on sandy loam and 

 clay loam soils. There is also appended tables showing the weather condi- 

 tions and precipitation for 1897 and 1898 which are valuable. 



The past season was peculiar in many respects. Unusual precipitation 

 occurred in many localities about planting time and this was followed by 

 severe drought when the beets were nearly half grown, and this in turn was 

 followed by abnormal conditions at harvest time. The precipitation in 

 October was 1.5 inches and temperature 2.8° above the average. Harvest 

 was delayed and many beets were not gathered until November when 

 the conditions were made still more difficult by continued abnormal precip- 

 itation . 



The vSecretary of Agriculture, Hon. James Wilson, the Commissioner of 

 Agriculture, Chas. A. Weiting, Dr. H. W. Wiley, of Washington, and Dr. W. 

 H. Jordan, Director of the State Experiment Station, Mr. J. E. Rogers, 

 President of the Binghamton Beet Sugar Co., and many earnest farmers 

 have all given valuable assistance in the extended work carried on during 

 the year. I. P. Roberts, 



Director. 



