lo March, 19 r2.] Beet Sugar Industry. 139 



a veiv handsome profit after paying all expenses, and it was clearly shown 

 that beet-growing could he made a most successful industry. The sugar 

 produced was of the finest quality, notwdthstanding the fact that the 

 machinery had been lying idle for tw^elve years and that a totally inex- 

 perienced and raw crew were operating in the factory. When placed on 

 tlie market it commanded the highest market rates for first-class sugar. 

 The success of this experimental campaign was considered so satisfiutory 

 that the Government decided to continue operations and build up the 

 Beet-sugar industry in Victoria upon a sound foundation. 



Present Development. 



Those farmers who had made a financial success of beet growing with 

 few exceptions replanted on a larger scale for this year, notable increases 

 being from 5 to 17 acres, 2 to 10 acres. 5 to 9 acres, 18 to 28 acres, 

 and so on. But beyond this, relatively few of the farmers surrounding 

 the Maffra Factory have undertaken to grow beets. The majority of 

 them are successful dairymen and graziers rather than cultivators of the 

 soil, and, as thev can make money at these pursuits, they have hitherto not 

 given the question of growing beet a great deal of attention. 



However, it was clear that a larger acreage must be secured in crdei 

 to provide more beet for the factory than in the previous year, and that 

 this securing of area and larger supply of beets must be progressive until 

 the full capacity of the Maffra Factory (40,000 tons of beets) wms reached. 



This will necessarily occupy some two or three years, for farmers 

 generally will only com.e in by degrees, and when they see that other 

 people can make good money from beet-growing. This year large num- 

 bers of persons are beginning to recognise the advantage they derive as 

 beet-growers from lieing able to obtain supplies of pulp as fodder for their 

 cows and pigs. This aspect of the question will be dealt with at a later 

 stage. 



In addition to the Maffra District^ other parts of Victoria have this 

 vear been given an opportunity of demonstrating whether beet-root growing 

 \-. suitable to their localities. Tn Gippsland itself beet is being grown 

 from Bairnsdale to Nar-nar-goon. 



Experimental half acres ha\-e also been planted at Kcchester. Bamawm.. 

 Shepparton. Colac. Bacchus Marsh, Portland, &c.. &c. Upon the irri- 

 gation areas in the North beet- root can undoubtedly be made a profitable 

 crop, and one which the settlers would be keen to cultivate, because they 

 know it has an assured market value. 



Seeing that beet growing will not be taken u}) by the farmers of 

 the :Maffra and surrounding districts upon a large scale immediately, the 

 Victorian Government, recognising clearly the value- of the Sugar-beet 

 industry as an important asset to the country, determined to make this 

 question in some respects a closer settlement one. A tide of immigra- 

 tion is now setting in to our shores, and it is necessary that new settlers 

 should have a staple payable crop to engage upon. What better crop 

 could there be than sugar-beet, with its sure and certain market, its big 

 monev returns, and its by-products of pulp, tops, and molasses, to assist 

 the dairying business ? Therefore in suitable localities the growth of beet 

 is to be bound u[) with closer .settlement. 



F 2 



