128 CULTURE OF THE SUGAR BEET. 



The following is a copy of the record of the proceedings of the Reunion 

 of Agriculturists held at St. Quentin (Aisne), Prance, March 25, 1876, 

 for the consideration and adoption of a form of arbitration bond be- 

 tween growers of beets and sugar manufacturers, depending upon the 

 new system of purchase of beets by density of the juice: 



Arbitration bond adopted by the Reunion of Agriculturists held at Saint Quentin (Aisne), 



France, March 25, 1876. 



The reunion of agriculturists of the arrondissement, called together for the purpose 

 of studying the means of fixing upon a better defined basis of the relations between 

 the sugar culture and industry, and to examine in its practical relations the purchase 

 of the beet according to its quality, met on the 25th of March at Ferragues in the hall 

 of the Tribunal de Commerce. 



Two hundred and forty cultivators assisted at this reunion, under the presidence of 

 M. Albin Damoisy. 



In opening the meeting the president called attention to the promptness with which 

 the growers responded to the call of the committee. They thus prove that they com- 

 prehend the joint responsibility existing among their members and that they are capa- 

 ble of uniting when their interests are at stake. 



The president then stated the motives which induced certain agriculturists to call 

 this reunion together. 



The crisis bearing upon sugar manufacture enters into the culture of the beet in a 

 new phase. The manufacturer now demands a richer raw material than in the past, 

 the purchase of which shall bo based upon its quality. 



The cultivator does not object to this reform, but wants it in such a way that his 

 interests may be guarded. 



The quality of the sugar-plant may be thus stated : The density of the juice is a cer- 

 tain index of the saccharine richness. Science and practice are in accord on this 

 point. On the other hand, the means for taking the density have been the object of 

 serious study, and in this relation also practice has shown that certain methods offer 

 for the seller, as for the buyer, the double guaranty of impartiality and exactness. 



But it is not enough to possess practical means for determining the quality. It is 

 further necessary to be able to determine a price according to these variations. For 

 this purpose a basis must be fixed. Culture admits of 5 degrees because this figure 

 corresponds with the average density of our region, and indicates a plant of good 

 quality, susceptible of yielding a profit to the industry which transforms it. 



On the other hand, if the cultivator consents to reductions of price below the basis, 

 he requires that all superior richness shall be paid for proportionally, a requirement 

 conformable with good sense and equity. 



As to the refusal of merchandise which does not possess a minimum richness, this is 

 an inadmissible requirement. The producer of beets cannot involve his interests in 

 a situation which leaves him such uncertainty, because the quality of the plant does 

 not depend simply upon his operations, but upon atmospheric circumstances as well. 

 Besides, the purchase according to quality, which gives the manufacturer the right to 

 reduce the price when this quality is below that of the base, assures to the sugar- 

 works sufficient guaranties. 



The Societe" des Agriculteurs de France has thus decided, because by a majority of 116 

 votes against 42, it rejected this idea of limitation. 



In short, the plan of arbitration bond proposes an arbitration to settle possible con- 

 flicts. The beet is an encumbering merchandise, and subject to rapid alteration. It 

 cannot, like the cereals or oleaginous seeds, be stored. It requires that all differences 

 relative to the delivery shall receive prompt solution. 



Growers have therefore no cause to be timid concerning the new mode of purchase 

 proposed, provided the practice be regulated in a judicious manner in advance. 



