246 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The wide varian-ce in analysis is dne mainly to the difference in mois- 

 ture content. Sample No, 1 contained over 37 per cent water, while 

 sample No. 2 contained practically no moisture. 



After the lime has served its purpose in the beet factory, in purifying 

 the beet juices, it is washed out of the filter presses with large quantities 

 of water. This thin mixture of lime and water is then run into a settling 

 pond. Refuse lime taken directly from the settling pond is in rather 

 poor physical condition with a great deal of moisture. A few factories 

 have used their power shovel and transferred large amounts of this lime 

 from the settling basin to piles on high ground. After remaining in 

 these piles for two to five years, the lime has changed from a pasty 

 condition to a drier mealy state, which is then in good shape £or dis- 

 tribution on the soil with a manure spreader, fork or shovel. 



In Europe, where the sugar beet industry has thrived for about 115 

 years, the sugar beet growers are allotted refuse lime in proportion to 

 the tons of beets delivered. There is a clause in their beet contract 

 providing for their allowance of lime. All this refuse lime, at the 

 European factory, is usually cleaned up by three weeks after harvest. 



Sugar beet refuse lime is a practical and cheap source of agricultural 

 lime. Most sugar companies in Michigan make no charge for this lime 

 in carload lots. The only cost to the beet grower is the actual loading 

 charge at the factory and the freight to his station. The lime capacity 

 of cars varies from 30 to 45 tons. Farmers may group together in the 

 purchase of carloads. 



There are great piles of this material, valuable for the correction of 

 our sour soils, that are standing, unused, at the various sugar factories 

 in the State. This waste material if properly used would add greatly to 

 our agricultural prosperity. 



Sugar companies also have each year a few car loads of fine dry air- 

 slaked lime, which were not used in the purifying process. This lime ac- 

 cumulates from the lime burners. It is usually in excellent physical 

 condition. Its analysis would be about the same as the hydrated lime 

 purchased from commercial lime concerns. 



In ordering carloads, it is first best to send for a sample, and thus 

 avoid any misunderstanding. 



FITTING THE SEED BED 



The yield of beets depends very largely on the stand secured. A uni- 

 form stand can only be obtained by planting on a well fitted seed bed 

 and giving proper attention to thinning and cultivating. The seed 

 bed is the foundation of a good stand. 



Fall plowed land can be fitted at an earlier date in the spring and 

 ofl'ers a longer period for working into proper condition than spring 

 plowed land. By discing, and harrowing frequently with a weighted 

 spike tooth or a spring tooth harrow, such land can be best brought into 

 a proper planting condition. 



