APPENDIX E. 



POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION WITH REGARD TO THE ES T TRODUCTION OF 

 THE SUGAR-BEET AND THE MANUFACTURE OF BEET-SUGAR IN THE 

 NORTHWEST AS COMPARED WITH THE BEET-SUGAR PRODUCING 

 COUNTRIES OF EUROPE. 



By J. D. Fkedericksex. 



1. Climate. — In Europe the northern part of the temperate zone affords the most 

 favorable conditions for the growth of the sugar-beet and the development of a pure 

 juice from which the sugar is easily extracted. The northern part of Germany, Prus- 

 sian Saxony, Brunswick, and Hanover ; Denmark and the southern and middle sections 

 of Sweden; Belgium, Holland, the northern departments of France; Bohemia and a 

 section in the middle of Russia, all produce beets from which sugar can profitably be 

 manufactured. Sections with complete inland climate seem to produce richer sugar- 

 beets than those with coast climate. In northern Germany and certain parts of Rus- 

 sia and Sweden the beet is generally richer in sugar than in France, Belgium, Hol- 

 land, or Denmark, the latter countries being more exposed to the sea. In England, 

 where the climate is moist and temperate all the year round, the beets grow bulky 

 but poor in sugar, and there the beet-sugar industry has proved a complete failure. 



As to Denmark the climate is not so favorable to the development of sugar in the 

 beets as it might be. The spring is rather dry, so that it is hard to get the plants 

 started, and the fall is so wet that there is a danger for the beets to set flesh at the 

 expense of the quality of the juice. For the same reason the harvest is difficult. Still 

 the industry is flourishing, so that the climate may not be called bad. 



The following table shows the average temperature and rainfall at Copenhagen, in 

 Denmark, and in Minnesota : 



Comparing these figures, it would suggest itself that the excessive rainfall in Min- 

 nesota in June might favor the development of the young beets, but at the same time 

 make it very troublesome to perform the work of harrowing and hoeing to keep the 

 land clean from weeds. The months of August, September, and October also seem 

 rather moist, making it possible that too much inorganic matter may enter the juice 

 at the time when the beets get ripe. Still, when falling in heavy showers at long 



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