BEET SUGAR INDUSTRY. 105 



successful cultivation of the sugar beet, in the Northeastern 

 States, is possible, and not attended with very great difficulties. 

 And its cultivation once an assured success, the manufacture of 

 the sugar is but a matter of capital, and the employment of a few 

 skillful men, educated for the business, who may be had almost 

 without number from France or Germany. A series of trials 

 were made in various parts of New England and New York, in 

 connection with the investigations of Professor Goessmann, and 

 under his direction, and the beets were subsequently examined by 

 him, with most satisfactory results. To these investigations we 

 shall make frequent reference hereafter. 



Much depends on seed, soil, manures, tillage, locality, and 

 climate, for the successful cultivation of the beet for sugar making. 

 And it is only by trial and experience that the farmers of a 

 certain section can learn whether their conditions are adapted to 

 the business. We believe it would be for the interest of many of 

 our readers to devote a little land, labor, and thought, to this crop 

 the coming season. Then have the crop examined after hai'vest 

 by competent chemists for the content of sugar in the roots pro- 

 duced. By comparing results next winter in the Scientific Farmer 

 a great deal will have been learned about the business ; and a 

 decided advance made toward its introduction, as a sugar enter- 

 prise. But as an inducement to engage in this culture to a 

 limited extent, as an educational effort, the reader should bear in 

 mind that sugar beets are among the very best of roots for stock 

 food, and the production of rich milk. Such a course will teach 

 whether a particular soil and section is adapted to this branch of 

 farming, and preclude failure. When, years ago, in France, the 

 business was found to promise such large returns, factories started 

 up in many localities, where it was soon discovered that the beets 

 could not be grown profitably, or failure resulted because some 

 condition of success was not previously considered with reference 

 to the case in hand, but especially because of unfavorable climatic 

 and soil conditions. 



A few words in regard to the cultivation of the beet for sugar, 

 and we will postpone further remarks until next month, when we 

 will go more into particulars, and treat the subject systematically. 

 The variety of the seed greatly influences the amount of sugar iu 

 the roots produced, so much have varieties changed through cul- 

 tivation. The varieties that have given the most satisfactory 

 results iu this country, thus far, are the Imperial, and Electoral, 



