420 Bulletin i66, 



cants outside these counties. Thus 438 farmers were con- 

 nected with the work and 1,134 lbs. of seed were distributed. 

 The larger part of these farmers received one pound eacK of 

 seed, the object being to observe in a general way the growing of 

 the beets on the different farms and to ascertain the percentage 

 of sugar in the different samples. Thus far the work was a 

 duplication of that of last year. 



With about 125 farmers arrangements were made to grow 

 plats of one-half acre or more, keeping a careful record of all the 

 labor bestowed upon them. Instructions in regard to growing 

 the beets were given in circular No. 15, which was accompanied 

 by a blank for keeping the records. Many of the farmers were 

 supplied with several varieties of seed for the purpose of making 

 a variet3^ test. About 40 of them received sacks of fertilizer for 

 a fertilizer test. A representative of the Station visited nearly 

 all of these plats during the season and some of them that were 

 easily accessible were inspected frequently. 



Later in the season Circular No. 17, was issued giving instruc- 

 tions in regard to harvesting, ascertaining yield and sending 

 samples for analysis. 



The small number of complete reports that have been received 

 from the farmers growing these beets is somewhat disappointing. 

 Some of the crops were complete or partial failures. This was 

 due to a variety of causes operating in different cases, but though 

 they were failures as crops they were instructive as experiments. 



In more cases the farmers at some time during the season lost 

 track of the labor account and were unable to report cost. In 

 still other cases the farmers being pressed with work at harvest 

 time, owing to the unfavorable weather conditions, failed to get 

 as accurate records of yield as are necessary that their reports 

 should be of greatest value. Still we have many valuable 

 reports and the season's work as a whole is very instructive. 



In the report of last year (Bulletin 143, pp. 493-517) were 

 given "General Remarks on Sugar Beet Cultivation." The 

 suggestions there made are sustained by this season's exper- 

 ience. Some points need to be further emphasized while others 

 may be modified to suit the condition of particular cases. It is 

 proposed to call attention to such lessons as have become 



