THE BEET AND POTATO CROPS 21 



tion of the farmers by the scientific grading up of the 

 sugar contents of the beet and the skilful handling of 

 the crop in the factory. In 1875 it took 11^ tons of 

 beet to produce 1 ton of raw sugar. In 1910, as 

 a result of continuous selection, it took only 6 tons. 

 The great national benefits that could be derived from 

 the cultivation of this crop were long ago recognised 

 in Germany, and the German Government exerted 

 itself to encourage beet cultivation by means of tariff 

 protection and direct bounties which were carefully 

 regulated so as to encourage high-class production 

 rather than to bolster up inefficient methods. In this 

 way a powerful industry has been established, profit- 

 able alike to the community and to the Government. 

 In 1910 the amount of excise duty on sugar paid 

 by the sugar factories amounted to no less than 

 £10,000,000, and formed an important source of 

 State revenue. To the agricultural community the 

 value of beet growing is roughly indicated by the 

 fact that in the beet-growing districts the rents and 

 value of land, per acre, are from two to three times 

 higher than they are in the districts where beet is 

 little grown. 



In a less degree the potato crop has had a similar 

 influence on German agriculture. Of the total crop 

 of 45,000,000 tons that is raised, it is estimated that 

 only 12,000,000 tons are usually consumed as human 

 food, 17,000,000 tons are fed to stock, and 4,000,000 

 tens are converted into spirit and starch. Like beet, 

 the crop is an intensive one and produces a large 



