CULTIVATION OF THE BEET. 29 



including the breaking up of the land, harvesting, and 

 transportation, was three dollars and forty cents per 

 ton. 



In France the average yield of beets is from fifteen 

 to eighteen tons per acre, frequently rising to thirty, 

 and often to forty tons, while in one instance within 

 my knowledge, nearly sixty-two tons were produced 

 from a single acre. There is also an authentic account 

 of a crop of over sixty-eight tons to an acre. In 1865 

 whole districts produced thirty-two tons per acre. 



The cost of producing an acre of beets in Illinois, 

 where all the conditions favor cheap cultivation, would 

 not much exceed the cost of a crop of sorghum, which is 

 estimated as low as thirty-five dollars, and is certainly 

 not more than forty-five dollars per acre. 



According to Flint's " Agriculture of Massachu- 

 setts," F. H. Williams, of Sunderland, cultivated one 

 hundred and eighty-four rods, or an acre and an eighth, 

 of land in broom-corn, at a cost of $38.32. This, in- 

 cluding harvesting, cleaning the seed, and also eigh- 

 teen dollars for manure, makes a total cost per acre 

 of less that $34. 



The same authority states that Alonzo P. Good- 

 ridge, of Worcester North, cultivated a crop of ruta 

 bagas at a cost of $70 per acre, including $32 worth 

 of manure. Yield, 43,880 pounds, or more than 19^ 

 tons, to an acre. Cost, $3.59 per ton. 



Mr. Goodridge also raised a crop of sugar beets at 

 the same cost, and with the same amount and value of 

 manure. Yield, 38,520 pounds, or about 17^ tons, to 

 an acre. Cost, $4.05 per ton. 



S. D. Smith, of West Springfield, raised a crop of 



