YIELD AND COST OF CULTIVATION. 199 



"VVe visited several farms in the northern portion of 

 France, the most important in the arrondissement of 

 Cambrai, where several figures were given us ; we 

 took an average of the same. 



Average. 

 Kent of one hectare of land> 



Taxes » - '' I * ^^ ^^ ^^ = ^^ "^^ 



Ploughing and harrowing . . 52 to 64 = 11 60 



Manures 100 to 130 = 23 00 



Seed 6 to 8 = 1 40 



Weeding and hoeing . . . 76 to 82 = 15 80 



Harvesting, transportation, etc. . 40 to 50 = 9 00 



^314 to ^376 = $69 00 



If we suppose a yield of 30,000 kiiog. to the hec- 

 tare, we would then have roots at $2.80 ; but we were 

 told that 60,000 kilog. is most common ; this would 

 then greatly diminish the same, as the cost per ton 

 would then be $1.15. No more care or material is re- 

 quired for a high than a low yield. The seed repre- 

 sented in the above has been grown by the farmers, 

 otherwise the cost of the same would be somewhat aug- 

 mented. In France the average value of beets in 1876 

 was $3.00 per ton. This is not far from the general 

 price or average for the last thirty years, including 

 fluctuations, where in one special case $8.00 was paid, 

 and yet the roots were worked with profit. 



Several items we have not as yet taken into consid- 

 eration are, that, if the leaves, necks, ends, etc., of the 

 roots are permitted to remain on the gi-ound, they will 

 represent about 20,000 kilog., and be worth $14.00 as 

 fertilizer for the following year. 



