6 ANALYSES OF SUGAB BEETS, 1905 TO 1910. 



During the years 1901-1904 many samples of beets were analyzed 

 for local sugar projects, but their results are not included. The 

 results from 1905 on to 1910 have been tabulated by States and 

 counties. The location of the county in the State is noted by the 

 usual sign, namely: D center of State; D- east of center of State; 

 J3 southwest of center of State, etc. The figures given are for the 

 average weight of beets (expressed in ounces), per cent of sugar in 

 juice, and purity of the juice (the per cent of sugar in the solids of 

 the juice). The condition of the sample as received is also stated. 

 In this table no averages for States or counties are given, as so many 

 factors enter into the results that conclusions based on such data 

 might be misinterpreted. In fact, one can only form a comparative 

 opinion as to the fitness of a certain region for beet growing from 

 these analyses. The reasons for this may be briefly stated and 

 serve also to illustrate the need for very careful work before passing 

 final judgment on the possibilities of any section for beet culture. 



FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN INTERPRETING ANALYTICAL 



RESULTS. 



A sugar beet is a plant that is greatly influenced by environment, 

 cultivation, etc. Beets from the same seed may be grown in the 

 same soil and under the same climatic conditions and the sugar 

 contents at maturity be very different, owing to different methods 

 of cultivation. A farmer who has* grown beets a number of years 

 in succession may raise a better crop than one in the same locality 

 who has had no experience. Many of the samples herein reported 

 came from farmers who had never raised beets before; some of the 

 crops were no doubt raised on land entirely unsuitable for beet 

 culture, and the results from the latter experiments would be of 

 value as a test only if the soil of the plat were representative of this 

 particular section. The large number of persons applying for beet 

 seeds during a year made it impossible to keep a detailed record 

 of the varying cultural and climatic conditions, although instructions 

 were sent in all cases regarding the selection of the plat for the work 

 and cultivation methods. 



Correct sampling methods are also important to insure comparable 

 results. Many people believe that the more prolific the growth of a 

 beet the higher will be the percentage of sugar, and so select large 

 beets from a patch for testing. This is not true, however, except in 

 rare cases. Again, the sugar content varies with the degree of 

 ripeness. As a beet matures the percentage of sugar increases; so 

 selection with regard to this point is important. Two persons 

 going through a field for sampling may draw samples that will vary 

 as much as 3 or 4 per cent in sugar content. But if one is familiar 

 with the work, the results from 20 or even fewer beets may fairly 



