82 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



with them, except at large cost for special lertilizers, is a question 

 for consideration. That we can grow the beet to perfection in 

 our State is a fact proven by repeated experiment, as also that 

 largo crops can be obtained, and thus the question is one of com- 

 parative cost. 



The variety of beet required for the manufacture of sugar is that 

 which is richest in sugar and contains the smallest percentage of 

 alkaline salts, and the white Silesian or white sugar is the kind in 

 general cultivation. Colored beets are objectionable. The special . 

 qualities desired and which seem to be united in a greater degree 

 in the white Silesian than any other variety are a pear shape, no 

 lateral roots, smooth, white surface, white, hard flesh, and must 

 grow beneath the soil. They also do not grow too large, five to 

 eight lbs., being most desirable. 



According to Prof. Payen's analysis, the average beet contains: 



Water 8.3.5 per cent. 



Sugar in solution 10.5 " 



Albumen, caseiue and nitrogenous matters.. . 1.5 " 



Cellulose and pectose .8 " 



Miscellaneous 3.7 " 



100.00 



The average percentage of sugar in the French beet is 1I| and 

 the American and German about 13. In France the average per 

 cent, of sugar extracted from the beet by the machinery used is 

 7 per cent., though improved methods in many cases produce II 

 per cent. 



As to the cost of raising beets in iNIaine, any farmer on this 

 Board can probably give an intelligent answer. The Department 

 of Agriculture estimates they can be raised at a cost to the manu- 

 facturer of $2.60 per ton. This, it is presumed, refers to whole- 

 sale production under most favorable circumstances. The average 

 price paid by European manufacturers is $3 per ton. A western 

 writer on the subject says the factories there can be fully supplied 

 at $4 per ton, outside price, and western farmers contract them at 

 $3.50 per ton. 



The yield per acre is of course variable, depending largely upon 

 the soil and cultivation. In Germany, the average production is 

 17 to 20. tons per acre ; while 50 and 60 tons are not uncommon. 

 Twenty tons per acre is reported as the average in our Westei'n 

 States. 



