FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 107 



1 said there were four types of cultivation. Having mentioned two, 

 let us now look at the remaining two. The third type is exemplified 

 in Michigan, Ohio and New York. We have in these states and through 

 this section of the country peculiar meteorological conditions which 

 favor the growth of the sugar beet. You will notice on the map which 

 I have recently constructed that these portions of the country are es- 

 pecially designated as peculiarly fit for this growth. Here you have a 

 reasonable amount of heat, light and rainfall. Then, too, the beet grows 

 much more readily in this northern climate than it does in southern 

 latitudes, for the reason that during the summer there is more sun- 

 shine in the north than there is in the south. Increase the sunshine 

 and you increase the sugar. Every hour during which these precious 

 little rays of sunlight may do their potent work is an important one. 



Another reason, too, wliy the northern latitude is more congenial to 

 the growth of the beet is from the reason that in the scorching sun of 

 the south the beet is roasted on the surface and therefore not properly 

 developed. There are also extreme wet seasons and drouths. The beet 

 likes an equable climate, and as you go a certain distance norlh you 

 get that condition. 



Now you wonder why I did not mention points further west; for in- 

 stance, Nebraska and the Dakotas. The reason is this — here at times 

 we have a deficit of rainfall, and even though the same conditions of 

 sunlight and warmth prevail, there is apt to be extremely dry summers; 

 again, the cold of winter is apt to come on very suddenly. It is for these 

 reasons, therefore, that I consider the conditions better in or near the 

 lakes rather than in the arid regions. 



Notwithstanding this, however, splendid beets are grown in the Da- 

 kotas; but Michigan, Ohio and New York, it seems too, present to us 

 the best and most favorable conditions of our country, and therefore 

 the greatest growth and development of the industry must take place 

 here. 



Now, the fourth condition under which the sugar beet has been 

 grown is to be found in those regions just south of the territory just 

 referred to; and I may say that no little capital has been invested in 

 the business in these localities. More than this, a great deal of money 

 has been invested where the business had, in my estimation, better 

 have been left alone. The business is one that does not require that 

 a very large tract of land shall be put under cultivation, and from that 

 reason we will find in the future that it will be necessarily confined 

 to those portions of the country where conditions are most favorable. 



It has been said that Lee finally hammered Mead into a good position 

 at Gettysburg; that the Union leader did not at first take np the posi- 

 tion which was best from the natural contour of the land, and that 

 it was not until Lee forced him into that position that he was able to 

 win the battle. And so it will be with the sugar beet industry. The 

 business will gradually be narrowed down and confined to those local- 

 ities where conditions are most favorable, and all of the money invested 

 outside of these areas will sooner or later be drawn within them. 



These conditions then are divided into four classes: 



1. Without irrigation and without rain. 



2. Growth with irrigation. 



3. Those portions of the country best suited to the growth. 



