REPORT OF THE CHEMIST. 157 



many, in Belgium and in Russia, wliile in Spain and Italy the beet-sugar 

 industry has never been able to sustain itself. The actual climatic con- 

 dition demanded, however, appears to be a low intensity of heat during 

 the summer months. A high summer temperature tends to the devel- 

 opment of woody tiber in biennial roots, at the expense of starch and 

 sugar. With this view of the subject it would be hazardous to attempt 

 beet-sugar making in that section of country east of the elevated plains on 

 the eastern margin of the Eocky Mountains and south of the fortieth de- 

 gree of latitude. The northern limit of profitable beet culture in Europe 

 has not been clearly ascertained ; but as the Vilmorin, which is esteemed 

 the best beet cultivated, requires at least four months to perfect its growth, 

 it will follow that where this length of summer can be depended on, the 

 beet may be profitably cultivated. In measuring the season, it will be 

 proper to remember that this crop is not easily injui^ed by light frosts, 

 whether in the spring or fall. The beet demands a uniform moisture in 

 the atmosphere, rather than a very wet, or very dry climate. It en- 

 dures either extreme badly. 



The soil best adapted to the sugar-beet is a deep sandy loam well 

 underdrainecl. The comparatively small amount of nitrogenous sub- 

 stance in a good sugar-beet will not tolerate the free use of manures 

 rich in ammonia. "Wild soils and newly-broken prairie land should, on 

 this account, be avoided in selecting a field for the raising of beets. 

 Soils abounding in mineral salts should also be avoided, as these seri- 

 ously interfere with the separation and crystallization of the sugar. 



As a general rule it will be better to apply to the previous crop w^hat 

 manures it may be necessary to use, and abstain from their use directly 

 on the beet crop. 



In beet culture, as in every other variety of farming, the first care is 

 the proper selection of seed. Several kinds of beets are in use in 

 France and Germany. Among these Vilmorin, the White Imperial, 

 and the White Silesian are in good repute among European sugar-mak- 

 ers. "WTiich will succeed best in our soil and climate, or whether some 

 new variety will be demanded, are questions which can be settled only 

 by actual experiment. 



The beet requires deep cultivation. To this end the subsoil should 

 be weU broken, and the soil thoroughly pulverized. Large roots are not 

 desirable in the manufacture of beet-sugar. From one to two pounds' 

 weight are found to be the most economical roots, yielding the largest 

 amount of sugar with the least waste. In planting the beets, it will 

 be economy, in this country, to make the rows a sufficient distance 



Determination of sugar in juice of sugar-heets cultivated on experimental faiin, University of 



Virginia, season of 1672. 



Sugar in juice. 

 (By polariscope.) 



White Silesiau sugar-beet : Seed from Uuited States Department of 

 Agriculture, (grown in France ;) average size of roota, 5 A inches 

 long by 3f inches maximum diameter ; average weight o±' roots 1 

 pound 8i ounces 11.75 per cent. 



Carter's prize nursery sugar-beet : Seed from United States Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture, (imported from England ;) average size of 

 roots, 5J inches long by 3 inches maximum diameter ; average 

 weight of roots, 1 i)oand 13. 72 jier cent. 



Vilmorin's improved sugar-beet : Seed from United States Department 

 of Agricnlture, (grown in France;) average size of roots, 6 inches 

 long by 3 J inches maximum diameter ; average weight of roots, 1 

 pound li^ ounces 1'3. T) 1 per cent. 



White sugar-beet : Seed from R. Buist, jr., Philadelphia ; average 

 size of roots, 7f inches long by 3^ inches maximum diameter ; 

 average weight of roots, 2 poimds 1^ ounces 10. 17 per cent. 



