OTHER FARM CROPS 



this regard, since it gives the laborer an interest in the highest pos- 

 sible yield. 



The scarcity of farm labor and the difficulties that sometimes 

 arise in having the work satisfactorily performed make it necessary, 

 in the interest of the grower and of the industry in general, that 

 means be devised to reduce the labor in sugar-beet production. This 

 end may be reached either by the invention of machinery that will 

 lessen hand labor or by producing those conditions that will render 

 certain parts of the labor unnecessary, as for instance by the produc- 

 tion of a single-germ seed ball, the destruction of weeds, and the more 

 thorough preparation of the soil. (Y. B. 1903.) 



Crop Returns and Rent and Land Values. In this subject 

 lies the essence of the farmers' interest in the beet-sugar industry. 

 What are the returns and what are the permanent benefits? In the 

 beginning, it should be stated that farmers, like every other class, 

 are divided into good, bad, and indifferent. A good farmer may 

 make a great success in growing a crop of sugar beets, while a poor one 

 with equal opportunities will make a failure. 



There is no crop that responds so readily to good treatment as 

 sugar beets or as surely resents bad treatment. Even when beets are 

 given the best attention it sometimes happens that bad climatic con- 

 ditions at critical times, such as drought, hail, freezing, diseases, or 

 insect pests, may reduce the crop generally throughout the district to 

 a small yield, say from 5 to 7 tons. Such things are providential, and 

 are beyond the farmers' control. On account of the higher cost of 

 production it is more unfortunate, perhaps, when the sugar-beet crop 

 is thus affected than it is with most other crops. In sugar beet grow- 

 ing the profits are dependent on three things: (1) The farmer must 

 have a sugar factory for a market; (2) he must have proper condi- 

 tions for growing sugar beets; and (3) he must be a good farmer. 



With a good farmer the yield will range easily from 10 to 28 

 tons per acre, and from that to a possible 40 tons. Ten tons per 

 acre will yield a fair profit; 12 tons a fine profit. The profit on a 

 yield above 15 tons per acre simply makes this crop out of compari- 

 son with any other field crop. Often a farmer receives in a season 

 sufficient profit per acre above expenses, including a remuneration for 

 his own work in growing the crop, to pay for the land. 



A comparison of the estimated results of growing sugar beets 

 with those of growing grain is offered, using as factors per acre the 

 ordinary expense attending the production of sugar beets and the 

 minimum tonnage which should result from good farming. As 

 factors in growing the grain the ordinary accomplishments of a good 

 farmer will be used limiting him to an amount of land such as he 

 can ordinarily handle by his own efforts. In the end the net profits 

 of sugar beets with the gross profits of grain will be compared. 



The beets are supposed to be delivered at the market and the 

 money for the crop to be in hand. The grain is supposed to be 

 ready for the market. Sixty acres of land will be selected with the 

 supposition that forty of this is planted in corn and twenty in oats. 

 This is taken to be about what is generally attempted by the farmer 



