98 STATE BOAED OF AGRICULTURE. 



The estimation of the tare or the reduction from the gross weight 

 of beets in consequence of excess of dirt adhering to the beets, 

 and excess of the crown of the beets, has given rise to misun- 

 derstanding and dissatisfaction in some cases. It is desirable 

 that cordial relations should be maintained between the fac- 

 tory and the farmer, and friction on this point avoided. The weigh- 

 man is supposed to be impartial between the parties and is appointed 

 by the Commissioner of the State Land Office, takes the oath of office 

 and files a bond of $2,000. A dissatisfied patron would seem to have 

 a remedy either on the oath or bond against unfair treatment in de- 

 termining the proper deduction for dirt and dockage. The law is fair 

 and reasonable, and practically the method is in use in all the beet 

 sugar factories in this country. To take from the body of the beet the 

 dirt that can readily be removed by a small broom and cut off the 

 crown of the beet unsuited for making sugar, would seem to be fair 

 and just, beyond these would arouse opposition. 



It may be that weighmen have failed in some instances to fairly and 

 impartially discharge the duties of their office. I am not here to cham- 

 pion the weighman. If they are weighed in the balance of justice and 

 found wanting, the remedy is within the power of the aggrieved party, 

 for '"courts are open and there are deputies." 



If it is decided that the tare shall consist only of dirt removable by 

 a broom (not by washing), or the crown that rose above the soil surface, 

 and the beets used for such determination shall fairly represent the 

 average of the load, the method seems fair. But no other part of the 

 beet should be removed as tare. The long tap root is as valuable for 

 making sugar as the body, and should not be counted as tare. 



The questions of pitting the beets and cost of the same, the time 

 and manner of delivering to the factory, and all others of business de- 

 tail, must be arranged between factory and patron on the same prin- 

 ciples that govern in all business. The golden rule will bring gold 

 to both parties. 



The marc, or solids not sugar, in beets, is becoming a subject of con- 

 troversy. It has been lumped off by saying that the marc in sugar 

 beets averages 5 per cent. Whether the marc is uniform is question- 

 able. Some small beets, weighing from 5 to 8 ounces, averaged only 

 11 per cent sugar in the juice, and it is probable that the marc was 

 •greater than in well grown beets which contained 14 per cent of sugar. 

 Some factories claim to find from 5 to 8 per cent of marc in beets, 

 and occasionally as high as 16 per cent. It is possible that the estima- 

 tion of marc in sugar beets demands re-examination. It certainly 

 does if the foregoing statements are well founded, for it would signify 

 much to both farmer and manufacturer. 



MICHIGAN BEET SUGAR DOES NOT REQUIRE REFINING. 



Our factories produce sugar so pure as not to need refining, but is 

 ready for table use just as it comes from the factory; in German par- 

 lance, "Sugar of consumption and not sugar for refining." It does not 



