182 The Sugar-Beet in America 



Water 44.40 



Insoluble matter 23.37 



Iron and alumina (Fe 2 O 3 , A^Oa) . .. 4.05 



Lime (CaO) 34.90 



Magnesia (MgO) 1.16 



Carbon dioxid (CO 2 ) 26.00 



Phosphoric acid (P 2 O 8 ) 48 to 1.53 



Potash (K 2 O) 07 to .11 



Organic matter 9.06 to 10.76 



The product from different factories varies consider- 

 ably in composition. It will be seen from the analysis 

 that the fertilizing value depends almost entirely on its 

 lime-content, the other valuable plant-foods being present 

 in almost negligible quantities. This makes the material 

 of value to the farmer only in case his land is poor in lime. 

 Most of the beet lands of the country are fairly rich in 

 lime and the demand for this waste product is not so great 

 as it would be in regions having acid soils. There is no 

 doubt, however, that on clay or acid soils greater use 

 should be made of the waste lime. Many of the less fri- 

 able and unworkable soils would require much less work 

 and would produce better crops if lime were applied. An 

 ample supply of lime makes more available the phos- 

 phorus, potassium, and other plant-foods in the soil. 

 When possible it is flooded over the land with irrigation 

 water, thereby saving hauling and distributing. 



A few conditions occur which make the use of the 

 waste factory lime unpopular. Being wet and mucky, 

 it is very difficult or impossible to spread it evenly over 

 the ground. In districts infested with certain pests, 

 the use of the lime, together with the other refuse that is 

 usually found with it, endangers the greater spread of 



