8 



ANALYSES OP SUGAR BEETS, 1905 TO 1910. 



sugar content does increase in proportion to the loss in weight, was 

 tried at the same station. Twenty beets of about the same size and 

 of the same degree of ripeness were selected. Ten were analyzed 

 immediately and the other 10 were wrapped in oiled paper and sent 

 to Washington for examination. The results are given in the follow- 

 ing table: 



Comparative analyses before and after shipment. 



There was a loss in weight during shipping of 12 per cent, but an 

 increase of 1 .9 per cent in the beet is noted, and the actual amount of 

 sugar in the beet remains unchanged. 



In the case of the samples herein reported the directions for ship- 

 ping beets to Washington for analysis were to wrap each beet sepa- 

 rately in oil paper, this paper being sent the grower, together with 

 the shipping tag. In many cases the beets were fresh when received, 

 but in a large percentage of instances they had evidently dried out 

 before wrapping them for sending. It is important in using the analyt- 

 ical data contained in the tables to remember that these factors may 

 have influenced the results. 



For commercial purposes a beet of over 12 per cent sugar content, 

 12.5 to 13.5 per cent of sugar in the juice, and at least 80 per cent 

 purity, and which weighs over 1 pound but under 4 or 5 pounds, is 

 considered the most desirable. The contracts of most sugar compa- 

 nies with the farmers are based on these figures, but at times devia- 

 tions from them are accepted. With these facts in mind one may 

 form an opinion of the manufacturing value of the beets reported 

 in the tabulated data (see p. 23). 



METHODS OF SAMPLING. 



The accuracy of the determination of sugar in the beet depends 

 largely upon mechanical processes and accurate results are difficult 

 to obtain unless a stated procedure is strictly followed, thus elimi- 

 nating many chances of error. As with many other procedures, the 

 statement of methods for the analysis of sugar beets is not sufficiently 

 detailed and its limitations are not pointed out, so that an inexperi- 

 enced worker may obtain accurate results. For example, all methods 

 for beet analysis presuppose a finely divided pulp. With some 

 methods the pulp must be much finer than with others. This is 

 especially true of "instantaneous" methods or those obtaining the 



