234 The Sugar-Beet in America 



ing that more care has been taken than could be reasonably 

 expected in ordinary farm practice. Often such costs as 

 land rent and depreciation of machinery are omitted 

 entirely. Estimates from farmers are usually unsatis- 

 factory because very few keep accurate accounts of the 

 various small items. Reports from farmers, in order to 

 be reliable, must be taken systematically and carefully, 

 and the number of farmers interviewed must be large if 

 error is to be reduced to a minimum. 



Except for general study, it is imperative that all con- 

 ditions be given in order that a true interpretation can 

 be made, since cost of labor, nature of soil, eflBciency in 

 work, thoroughness of method, and numerous other 

 factors vary so much that general estimates are of little 

 value. INIany of the figures available are for only one 

 season, and it is well known that costs and yields vary 

 greatly with the year. 



/ COST OF GROWING IN VARIOUS SECTIONS 



When averages of a large number of growers are taken, 

 the cost of producing beets is nearly equal to the price 

 received for them, all factors being considered. A slight 

 profit would be expected if the true averages were available, 

 because in general the farmers of the older beet-growing 

 sections consider the crop worth while. The profitable- 

 ness of a crop is usually indicated by the readiness with 

 which the farmers grow it ; and farmers are usually glad 

 to raise beets. 



The Federal Trade Commission in 1917 made a "Re- 

 port on the Beet Sugar Industry in the United States." 



