180 



STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



In co-operation with a host of intelligent farmers the station has been 

 able to demonstrate that the growing of beets rich in sugar is entirely 

 practicable in all parts of Michigan from Houghton to Monroe and from 

 Alpena to Benton Harbor. While the per cents of sugar have varied 

 with the seasons, they have almost invariably been high enough to war- 

 rant the use of the beets in the factory. In fact, the average richness 

 of Michigan beets is higher than that of beets grown in Ohio and Indi- 

 ana, though lower than in Colorado and some other western states. 



A further study of the table brings out some facts tending to confirm 

 the general statement that beets grow richer in sugar the farther north 

 they are grown. If the counties are grouped in tiers across the State 

 from east to west and the reports are compiled to show the number of 

 samples and the average per cent of sugar in the beets in each tier, going 

 from the south north, we have the following table : 



Berrien, Cass, St. Jo, Branch, Hillsdale, Lenawee, Monroe 49 13.6 



Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Jackson, Washtenaw, Wayne 110 12.1 



Allegan, Barry, Katon, Ingham, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb 207 13.S 



Ottawa, Kent, Ionia, Clinton, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair 159 14.6 



Mu.sUegon Montcalm. Gratiot, Snginaw. Tuscola Sanilac 213 14.5 



Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Isabella, Midland, Bay, Huron 96 14.5 



Mason, Lake, Osceola, Clare, Gladwin, Arenac 19 15.1 



Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, losca 31 14.1 



Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Crawford, Oscoda 19 15.4 



Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Alcona 11 15. 9 



Menominee, Charlevoix, Emmett, Cheboygan, Presque Isle 36 16.5 



Chippewa, Mackinac, Luce, Schoolcraft, Alger, Delta, Dickinson, Mar- 

 quette, Iron, Baraga, Ontonagon, Houghton IM U.4 



With irregularity and with conspicuous exceptions, there is a general 

 increase in the sugar content of the beets as we work northward. 

 C. Variety Tests. 



The question of varieties is an important one to the factory and to the 

 grower. The former furnishes the seed and is, therefore, the party first 

 interested. Heretofore, the station has accepted for trial, beet seed from 



